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Les Créatifs Restaurant

Reservations Collection Delivery
Contemporary Fine Dining French
RRR

Attributes

  • Romantic
  • Gourmet Guide Plated

Chef Wandile Mabaso is a creative food artist full of global experiences. He has vast international experience and has worked with internationally renowned Chefs in Michelin star restaurants in New York and Paris.

Classically trained in French cuisine, he currently specializes in contemporary French haute cuisine, where only the finest luxury ingredients are used and treated with extreme perfection in the most bespoke settings.

Today, Chef Wandile Mabaso is the owner of Les Créatifs Restaurant, which is shaking up the Johannesburg food scene with its unique offering: an experiential form of dining that takes guests on an exciting gastronomic journey.

Gourmet Guide Description

Soweto-born chef Wandile Mabaso has an impressive culinary
pedigree. He has worked around the world at establishments including
Maison Kayser in New York under famed French chef Olivier Reginensi
and Le Meurice in Paris under the legendary Alain Ducasse (holder of
21 Michelin stars) before returning to South Africa and opening Les
Créatifs in Johannesburg. He was given the highest award that exists
for a chef in France, the Culinary Excellence of the College de France.
The exterior to the restaurant may be unassuming but there’s fine
attention to detail. The 40-seater dining space is a collaboration
between the talented chef and renowned interior designer Donald
Nxumalo. The chef’s culinary art is complemented by both the art
on the walls, which changes monthly, and the handmade, specially
designed ceramic plates by Andile Ndyalvane.

Wandile aspires to achieve the level of refinement associated with
the world’s best chefs. The food combines his global culinary journey
with the best South African produce: “I respect ingredients and try
to bring the best out of them while also adding an artistic approach.
I use French gastronomic techniques but incorporate our own South
African culture which is from where I take my inspiration,” says the
articulate and softly spoken, classically-trained maestro of his menu
which changes every fortnight.

Lobsters come from a supplier in Mozambique, chicken from Mamelodi
outside Tshwane. “If someone offers me warthog today, it will be on
my menu tomorrow,” he says. He is well-known for his sauces and jus
made from stocks that have cooked for days.

There’s a playfulness to some of his dishes – his Red Riding Hood
dessert comprises light-as-air red velvet sponge with beetroot and
strawberry gels, guava and inkomazi (maas) sauce and citrus parfait. A
large brigade in the open-plan kitchen on one side of the establishment work togethers in harmony under Wandile’s expert eye. Service is
impeccable. Diners can choose four courses from a small set-price
menu. Both wine and cocktail pairings are available.

Reviews (199)

4.7 out of 5.0
Food 4.8
Value 4.5
Service 4.8
Ambience 4.6
  • Maserame B. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Nthatuoa M. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Londiwe G. Dined: 6 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 23 Mar 23
    Delicious from the first bite to the last bite. Would highly recommend.

  • Maserame B. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 22 Mar 23
    Absolutely stunning

  • Michael D. Dined: 1 week ago
    4
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 1.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 16 Mar 23
    Your restaurant is out of this world. Food and staff were top notch. The only thing which is negative is that your location. No signs to show where you are in the shopping Centre. Plus the location does not meet the standards of your restaurant. But we will definitely be back again.

  • Melody H. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 13 Mar 23
    I had a great experience: 1. The food was delicious,can’t complain 2. The waiters/waitresses were all friendly and kept checking up 3. The music created a create atmosphere ,not too loud just perfect to still have conversation 4. I was happy that the restaurant has a mixologist as I don’t drink alcohol but he was able to freestyle a nice mock tail for me and they was a sommelier to explain the wine options to my friend who is a wine snob. The overall experience was a 11/10 I would definitely recommend the restaurant

  • Resham G. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 09 Mar 23
    Hats off to the Les Creatifs team!

  • Sheilla B. Dined: 3 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 06 Mar 23
    Chef Wandile and his team are truly the best, we had such a lovely time and i look forward to dining there again soon.

  • Phil T. Dined: 3 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 05 Mar 23
    We thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Les Creatifs. The staff were attentive and efficient; the chef is a true expert and a delight to meet; the wine list provides something for every taste. A lovely experience.

  • Lungani S. Dined: 1 month ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0
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Opening Hours

  • Monday CLOSED
  • Tuesday 17h30 - 23h00
  • Wednesday 17h30 - 23h00
  • Thursday 17h30 - 23h00
  • Friday 17h30 - 23h00
  • Saturday 17h30 - 23h00
  • Sunday CLOSED