Le1ghLo
Restaurants in shopping malls in Joburg can be amazing, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes I crave a coffee or lunch away from the hustle and bustle of Rosebank, Sandton and Melrose Arch. So finding the trendy La Vie en Rose in Illovo was like finding dining treasure – an old house converted into a boutique restaurant with the ‘garden’ for outdoor seating.
‘La Vie en Rose’, a well-known song of the French singer Edith Piaf in the late 1940s, translates to “Life Through Rose-Tinted Glasses” or the more literal meaning: “Life in Pink”. Through this name, the underlying philosophy of the restaurant is revealed: to encourage patrons to pay more attention to the positive and the pretty in life.
With this all in mind, the first thing that struck me when I walked into La Vie en Rose was the commitment to the ‘rose’ theme: pink decor, a rose motif on the menus and even meals and drinks containing rose petals/rose water. The staff wear smiles and bright pink shirts, and even the salt shakers on the tables contain pink salt. Kudos to the owners of La Vie en Rose for this attention to detail.
According to their website, La Vie en Rose is “a secret garden dotted with white-clothed, pink-dotted tables where you exhale your day, get comfortable and indulge your senses.” And I must say that from the moment I was seated, I did feel comfortable. To start with, La Vie en Rose’s take on the traditional complimentary bread basket is an impressive platter of home-made bread with tzatziki, olive oil and humus dip. This accompanied my drinks order: a rose and litchi smoothie which came highly (and justifiably so) recommended.
I have visited La Vie en Rose on a few occasions and I have two ‘go-to’ meals on their menu. Firstly, the ‘Bunny Hop’ salad that comprises of roasted butternut, almonds, feta, cous cous and avo. As far as my experiences with salads go, this was one of the most tasty and satisfying salads I’ve had to date. Testimony to this is that I asked to get a takeaway of the left-overs (who does that with a salad?!)
The second meal I would recommend is the ‘Lasting Impression’ which is a gently spiced beef patty underneath caramelised onions, mozzarella, avo and roasted rosa tomatoes.
What is compulsory at La Vie en Rose is to try one of their famous smoothies. Some options include Rose & Poppy Seed, Strawberry & Banana, Rose & Litchi (my fav) and Red Berry. And if you feel like throwing (calorie) caution to the wind, the toblerone milkshake is delicious!
The staff at this restaurant aim to make every visit memorable. La Vie en Rose is open during the week (except on Mondays) from 07.00 – 22.00 for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bookings are essential over the weekend and I’d recommend avoiding the 10.00 – 12.00 breakfast rush as the food preparation time is quite a bit longer during this period.
So, put on those rose-tinted glasses and head to Illovo the next time you feel like treating yourself to a great meal!
Le1ghLo - http://le1ghlo.com/la-vie-en-rose/
November 2012
Chic Jozi Guide
Lulled into tranquillity by the magical garden setting, why not transport yourself even further away by trying one of the innovative dishes on the cross-cultural menu? Think rose-infused French toast and Toblerone milkshakes for brekkie or mushroom burgers and Chicken Milanese as a light meal. A true foodie sanctuary in the city.
48 Melville Road, Illovo, 011 268 6144, www.lavieenrose.co.za
Chic Jozi Guide - Nikki Tempkin
February 2011
Joburg Style Magazine
La Vie en Rose is a great new al fresco spot on Melville Road in upmarket Illovo. Everything on the menu is unique and imaginative. Look forward to a selection of cross-cultural flavours, so there’s literally something for everyone, even the fussiest of palates. Round off your meal in this garden oasis with your choice of tea from their loose-leaf selection.
Contact: 011 268 6144
Joburg Style Magazine
January 2011
WiCount Website Review
How about some Spanish Rhapsody, English Elegance, Summer Blush and a little bit of Santa Rosa. No we’re not talking about our lovely rose garden but one of the trendiest boutique restaurants around, La Vie en Rose.
‘A magic spell you cast, this is La Vie en Rose’ as sung by Edith Piaf describes this restaurant perfectly. The whole restaurant is themed around pink roses, from the décor to the presentation through to the names of some of the dishes. This is the ingenious work of foodie Rony Ezerzer who co-owns the restaurant with Yanky Woolf.
La Vie en Rose serves up a delicious choice of salads, sandwiches, wraps, burgers and pastas, plus tons of vegetarian options. We highly recommend you try the Bunny Hop salad (and trust us this is far from bunny food!) this delicious salad is made up of sweet oven-roasted butternut, Danish feta, avocado & couscous with honey-mustard dressing & walnuts. We’re salivating at the thought of it. And for dessert how about a serving of Careless Love, Toblerone chocolate wrapped in phyllo pastry & flash-fried, served on berry mint coulis & cream. If this doesn’t tickle your fancy, then we don’t know what will!
This restaurant is a tantalising treat for your taste buds (try say that ten times over, we dare ya!). If there’s one thing you should add to your bucket list, it’s eating at La Vie en Rose. You can thank us later.
WiCount Website Review
January 2011
Mango Juice Magazine
La Vie en Rose
See food through rose-tinted glasses
Swathed in a flamboyant floral shirt, Yanky Woolf leans in and, with an arch of his eyebrow, announces: ‘We’re all about the pink roses here at La Vie en Rose’. Inspired by the delightfully libertine French crooner Edith Piaf, this little bistro hasn’t been open for very long and yet it’s already lured a clutch of devotees. This includes everyone from lunching ladies keen on gossip and champagne to amorous couples looking for a sophisticated fuel against a dreamy backdrop of rose bushes.
The menu reads like a sonnet to decadence. Imagine a bagel dipped in rose-infused batter, topped with fresh fruit and berry-and-mint coulis (R39). Or Rump served on Ciabatta and tumbling with fresh rocket, roasted Rosa tomatoes and caramelised onions, and dressed in a balsamic fig glaze (R55). This is plated nirvana… are you drooling yet?
Some of the signature dishes share names with certain pink rose varietals. For example, the riotous salad of smoked salmon, avo, rocket, watercress and baby spinach, dressed with strawberries, cashew-nut brittle and a balsamic reduction (R69), is named ‘A Most Unusual Day’, which is also a pink hybrid rose shrub, discovered in 1998. How very Cupid-worthy!
The drinks are just as dreamy as the food. Red Cappuccinos and chai lattes can be found amongst the ubiquitous coffees and teas, and then there’s the exotic loose-leaf tea menu: Japanese cherry, pear and cinnamon, strawberry and cream… who knew tea could be so decadent? And if the weather’s balmy, take a seat in the courtyard under the century-old pin-oak tree and order your tea iced instead of piping hot.
With an extravagant sweep of her arm, the birthday girl at the long table under the gargantuan tree shouts: “Champagne for everyone!” Ah, yes – Edith Piaf would approve…
Mango Juice Magazine
January 2011
JHB Live
Eating is one of my favourite pastimes (It's a mere bonus that it's somewhat necessary). And unless you are Amy Whinehouse or are chasing a pathetic I-wanna-be-a-supermodel delusion, I'm sure that you agree with me. La Vie en Rose serves up delicious goodies in an incredible setting. it's win win.
Food is an emotional thing. It comforts, soothes, relaxes and energises, and whether you are wolfing down a R25 bunny chow from a roadside stall or nibbling on a Caesar salad (insert bored sigh here) at Melrose Arch, you want some sort of reassuring gratification. One respectable meal is enough to remind you that life is doable and everything is going to be just fine. I am happy to tell you that I have found a spot. The spot, in fact, where the fare is magical enough to transport you away from the din of city life and into a state of utter zen.
La Vie en Rose, the newest hotspot for all foodies, is one garden eatery you have to visit. Everything on the menu is unique and imaginative. Think rose-infused French toast, Toblerone milkshakes and the yummiest mushroom burger that I have ever munched on. The distinctive fusion of cross-cultural flavours means that there's something for even the fussiest of palates. And as if the gourmet dishes aren't enough, the pinnacle of my pink life experience was the loose-leaf tea selection. Test-tubes of the yummiest selection of fresh teas were delivered to my table and a sensory experience like no other ensued. A pear and cinnamon blend was my choice. And it was perfect.
The serene garden setting forces one to unwind and the staff care more for your wellbeing than your mother does. So, if you feel like an affordable, royal experience where you are treated like a friend and not a customer then this is the place to go. No question about it. Friends, food and love - emotional wellbeing for a fifth of the price of therapy.
Johanesburg City Bytes - Roxana Bouwer
http://www.jhblive.com/reviews/restaurants/la_vie_en_rose/52778
Hello Peter
"In urban Joburg you can either have nice food or a nice view. Not both. And the service almost never measures up to the food, the view or the prices. But today, I was pleasantly surprised. The brand spanking new La Vie en Rose, in its pretty rose garden setting in Illovo (48 Melville Rd) was an excellent choice. It has an extensive menu of traditional and unusual dishes, both light and luxurious, and its trendily attired waiters were attentive and friendly. Management is also on-site, visible and very much on the ball. I had a burger; my friend had a tuna salad - both were great, generously portioned and surprisingly well-priced. It was a beautiful day, topped with pleasant music and incredible vanilla-rose risotto. We'll be back, and I plan to become a regular for early-afternoon business meetings, based on the massive and deeply cool tea menu. Hope the good start lasts."
Tiffany Markman
http://www.hellopeter.com/report_redirect.php?id=45372
Sense Online
"La Vie en Rose by any other name would smell as sweet as this brilliant new addition to the Jozi restaurant scene proves.
La Vie en Rose
‘A magic spell you cast, this is la vie en rose,’ sang Edith Piaf in her signature song, La Vie en Rose. ‘When you kiss me heaven sighs, And tho I close my eyes, I see La Vie en Rose.’
These lines come to me as I sit in one of the most beautiful gardens in Johannesburg. Here, in Illovo, is another bit of magic that has only been open for a week; La Vie en Rose. I know there is busyness around, but in this glorious setting I could be in the countryside – I even imagine a hint of the Mediterranean on the breeze.
I think there can be nothing more perfect, but there is – the food. Dishes, with names from pink roses, are beyond superb. They will set the benchmark for all similar type eateries.
Rose Theme
The rose theme was the idea of young food wiz Rony Ezerzer, who opened La Vie en Rose together with old restaurant hand Yanky Woolf (in pink shirt, of course). Her parents are from Morocco, though she was born in Israel and moved to South Africa when she was five.
From when Rony can remember she watched her mother in the kitchen adding that touch of love to food. This for her is the essential ingredient. Piaf would have been please, because when asked what advice she would give to women, she replied, ‘Love.’
Yanky has been in the business for 22 years. He has been involved in restaurants in Johannesburg and Cape Town, though he prefers the energy of Jozi. It shows in the crisp, friendly service.
The Menu
The menu was put together by Rony, and is brought to the plate by chef Morne Minne (which, incidentally, means love). The presentation is a work of art completed with pink rose petals. It almost seems like sacrilege to tuck in. But I do, after a grind of pink salt. It does not disappoint. I can taste the love.
For breakfast there are he normal offerings, but I suggest the exotic creations. There is September Morn of two poached eggs atop chargrilled asparagus spears and toast seasoned with crushed black pepper and lemon zest dressing. And Silver Lining of cherry mozzarella balls marinated in caper oil and served on toasted seed loaf blooming with lightly roasted rosa tomatoes, caper-berries and fresh basil.
Most Unusual Day
For lunch there is an array of salads, light meals, sandwiches, wraps, burgers and pastas. As Rony is a vegetarian, there is a wide selection of these options available. Among these are Most Unusual Day, which is a riot of smoked salmon, avo, rocket, watercress and baby spinach featuring strawberries, cashew nut brittle and balsamic reduction. And Chic; a glorious mix of penne and wild mushrooms pan fried in garlic and crème fraiche with crushed walnuts.
Then there are the heavenly desserts with names like Tickled Pink and First Kiss and a range of cakes for the sweeter tooth.
Heart & Soul
They are open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch. They do not have a liquor licence yet so you are welcome to bring your own wine or champagne. Why not pink? La Vie en Rose is a café style restaurant with prices comparable to others in this category. But the setting and food is incomparable.
‘Give your heart and soul to me, And life will always be. La vie en rose.’ "
Pat Hopkins
Balmy Breakfasts
Stray from the ubiquitous malls and tarry a while in the Emmarentia Botanical Gardens’ little tea garden. Set amongst a torrent of trees, you’ll soak up the dappled sunshine while you tuck into the best scones in town. Gia’s in Sandton is small, intimate and boasts scrummy tucker. Located slap bang in the middle of a lush nursery, it’s also airy and tranquil. La Vie en Rose in Illovo is where you take your lover for a sexy breakfast. Imagine a bagel dipped in rose-infused batter, topped with fresh fruit and berry mint coulis. Are you drooling yet? Oh, and you’ll sit amongst a rash of rosebushes in the shade of a century old Pin-Oak tree. Champagne anyone? Tucked away like a jewel in a magical secret garden is The Birdcage in Saxonwold. Expect a bold, eclectic mix of decor including a collection of birdcages, art deco mirrors, a Tretchikoff, complemented by antique Shanghai prints. Fabulous dahling!
Jozi Beat
La Vie en Rose Gets My 2 Thumbs Up
I have just come home from an amazing, romantic journey with my girlfriend to this beautiful restaurant on the boarder of Sandhurst and Illovo called La Vie en Rose. Its calm garden setting with white and bits of pink tables leaves you feeling at peace and relaxed.
The feeling of coming home when going out just created the feeling of a nursery - just without all the plants, except the ones that were naturally there. We were greeted by friendly, warm, smiling faces as we waited for our table while seated on a white leather lounge suite under the blue Joburg sky. The gracious owner Yanky is such a great guy.
We were seated under this big tree in the garden where it was so nice to be able to smoke in the open air and not be caged in by a fishbowl where we smokers feel like we’re on show.
The tables are well distanced from each other, giving you the feeling of privacy and space, which added to me feeling extremely comfortable there.
Once seated, I noticed our knives and forks tied together with a pink ribbon placed on side plate beside me. I ordered the Classic Burger and my partner had the Most Unusual Day Salad. Both meals arrived and were really large portions. All I can say is I have never tasted such a delicious-tasting burger in all my 31 years of living - even though when we arrived I had just recently eaten a Wimpy breakfast. The burger was huge and with every bite you could taste all the different herbs in the meat, so although I wasn’t very hungry, each bite I took made me want more.
I shocked myself and managed to finish my entire meal and still made space for dessert. We had the Tiramisu and the Tickled Pink which is a very creamy strawberry and vanilla ice cream.
Between the great food, beautiful company, homely feel, the friendly staff and owners, I give the La Vie en Rose my two thumbs up, and I recommend that you should give this place a try next time you feel like lunch or breakfast.
Briony French - Yellow Pages City Search
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