Qunu at The Saxon

Qunu is the fine-dining restaurant at The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, 36 Saxon Road, Sandhurst, Sandton, Johannesburg, Gauteng. The Saxon is a luxury hotel in a quiet garden estate and is known as the place where Nelson Mandela worked on parts of his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, which gives the restaurant a strong sense of place. The name Qunu refers to the village in the Eastern Cape where Mandela spent part of his childhood. The cuisine is refined South African, built on local ingredients. The offering centres on a tasting menu, with game and seafood among the featured ingredients, and dishes are presented with a focus on provenance and seasonality. The tasting format allows the kitchen to show a range of South African flavours over several courses. The dining room is elegant, intimate and quiet, in keeping with the hotel's residential-estate character, and the mood is celebratory and discreet. Smart dress is expected. Service is attentive and paced, and evenings are generally leisurely. The beverage programme reflects a luxury hotel, with a South African wine list covering the Cape winelands, and pairings are commonly available with the tasting menu. Prices are at the top end for Johannesburg, and diners should expect a significant spend for a multi-course dinner with wine. Qunu is a dinner-service restaurant, and days of operation should be confirmed with the hotel, as they can vary. Reservations are required and can be made through The Saxon Hotel or Dineplan; because seating is limited, booking several days ahead is advisable, and longer for weekends and special occasions. The Saxon lies in Sandhurst, a leafy and secure suburb north of central Johannesburg, close to Sandton and Melrose Arch, and the hotel provides parking and arranges transfers for guests.