Urbanologi - New Kid on the Fine Dining Block

 Birthdays are for celebrating and what better way to do that than to treat your family to a fine dining experience. Having heard whispers about Urbanologi, the new kid on  1 Fox block, we were dead keen to try it. 

Having your birthday fall on a Monday is always hard because so few good restaurants are open Mondays. But Urbanologi is open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday and for lunch on Sundays. Making a booking is also super easy using the online booking system. Kyle got a quick response, as well as an sms and email reminder to confirm the booking the day before. 

Urbanologi is located at the 1 Fox Precinct in Ferreirasdorp. Although historically run down, the area has been regenerated through the return of the banks and other big corporates, gentrification schemes, and increased security. 1Fox has also undergone some renovations since we were last there and is looking great. 

Apple-Jalapeno Cured Octopus and Tuna Tataki
Raw Turnip with Spicy Coriander-Lime Dressing

I love that Urbanologi has chosen to base itself inside the Mad Giant Brewery. The brewing tanks add a modern, gritty, urban feel in a way that I feel epitomises the dining scene in Joburg. It also makes a welcome change from the traditional wine estate/fine dining combination although, it is must be said that Urbanologi has a small but good wine selection which includes some well priced options.

We tried the budget friendly Peacock Wild Ferment Merlot. The Peacock Wild Ferment Range by False Bay Vineyards all advocate the use of ambient yeasts to bring out the natural terroir characteristics in each wine. It was extremely drinkable and definitely something I would add to my shelf for lazy home drinking.  As part of the partnership with Mad Giant you can also order 100ml tasters of the beers and 400ml drafts. 

Doenjang glazed Beef Cheek Kushiyaki
Truffled Cauliflower Puree and Sherry
Braised Onions

The menu is split into the different food techniques Fried, Kushiyaki (skewered and grilled), Steamed, Cured and Frozen and is well suited to tapas-like sharing. since there were five of us we ordered a large portion of the menu items. They were all beautifully plated and packed full of interesting flavours yet well balanced. Our stand out favourite was the  Apple-Jalapeno Cured Octopus and Tuna Tataki. We also loved the the Steamed Brioche Truffle Cream and Potato Salt. If you just stopping by for a beer (it is in a brewery after all) you should not leave without trying the Deep Fried Potato with Seaweed Emulsion which takes the idea of a bar snack to a whole new level. 

Bannana-Barley Mal Ice-Cream, Dark Beer Gateau,
Dark Beer Caramel,Mad Giants True Grit Beer
Formage Blanc and Oat Crisp

According to the website "Urbanologi works side by side with the brewery team brainstorming and testing new ideas in search of new flavours, ingredients, processes and techniques.". A perfect example of this is the Bannana-Barley Mal Ice-Cream, Dark Beer Gateau, Dark Beer Caramel, Mad Giants True Grit Beer Formage Blanc and Oat Crisp dessert, which pairs perfectly with the True Grit Amber Ale.

The bill for five adults sharing with dessert, beers and wine came to around R1100 and was worth every cent (in fact for fine dining its a steal). This restaurant definitely gets the Two Peas thumbs up and we will be back.

Blackcurrant Sorbet, Poached Plum, Semi-Dried Plum,
Blanc Mange, Blackcurrant and Licorice Powder
(plus a birthday wish)