The Lounge - On Kromboom

So I picked up on the buzz - everyone is talking about this new halaal restaurant that opened on Kromboom Rd. It's called The Lounge...hmmm...I loved the name immediately and just had to check it out! The ambience is bright and chirpy, with green table cloths, leather high-back chairs, and a laminated menu (that's not badly designed!). The waitress greeted us with a huge smile, and ushered us to our table. At 11h35 it was relatively packed. The menu is what tickled my fancy the most. The Lounge serves up a host of breakfast options, (and I'm delighted to see this includes omelettes), light meals, mains, cakes and desserts. Prices range between R25 and R90, so there's something for every wallet.

I also loved the quirky pink and white polka dot mega-mug on the counter. It holds the complimentary sweets (which in my opinion should always be some good quality mint rather than cheap, tasteless boiled sweets). There is also a huge flat-screen TV and I could just imagine how packed the place would be when the Bokke are playing!

So I ordered the beef tramezzini with onion, peppers and a hint of chilli, and my friend has "The Lounge" - a toasted sarmie with masala steak, cheese and caramelised onion. It probably took about 15mins for our food to arrive, but we were so caught up in the vibe and decor that we hardly would have noticed. The food was very well presented and I was excited to try it. My first bite was tantalizing! Well-spiced, tender beef. I couldn't believe that I didn't need to add any salt or sauces...yumm yumm! My friend's masala steak was a tad disappointing to my taste, but she seemed to enjoy it. I found it a bit bland compared to the flavour-sensation on my tramezzini, but I guess the plus is that they cater for all palates. My only complaint would be the wilted salad greens - even as garnish I want it fresh. Besides - I always eat the garnish!

My overall rating would be 4/5. I was very impressed with the whole experience. Shoukat, the owner, came over twice to check up on us, and I love seeing an owner being involved and keen to please. They have free wi-fi for patrons to use, which is a major plus for me - can't wait to lounge on the comfy-looking couches and do a spot of work in between sips of coffee :) I am definitely going back soon, and I hope they maintain their excellent start! http://the-lounge.co.za