Thumbs Up/ Thumbs Down: Thumbs Up!
Price Range: Avg. Price  per meal R 300
Type: Asian Inspired Tasting Menu
Crowd: Foodies/ Hipsters/ Inner City/ Suburban crowd
Service: 7/10
Day Of the Week: Thursday
Time: 8:30 pm
Address:  11 Kloof Nek Road, Tamboerskloof
Unique Aspects:

Hallelujah as far as I know is the brainchild of one of the owners from it’s neighbour up the road, The Power and the Glory. This explains its very Hipster “like what we do or don’t bother coming back” attitude – which I completely dig to be honest as it has a very specific vibe which helps define brand “Hallelujah” and works to separate it from the crowd.

Walking in to the restaurant will have you smiling from the get-go as the decor can only be likened to that of a 70’s retro diner, with brightly coloured and dare I say a little garish decor (vinyl flooring and a longboard mounted to the wall) to boot. This really sets the tone for the evening to be honest as the smiles which start developing stay fixed for a good couple of hours, maintained by the superb food you will be served during the course of your dinner.

Hallelujah’s menu is an Asian inspired tasting menu and comprises of around 10 different dishes at any one point, including the selection of dessert items and side dishes. The menu is by no means broad but to be perfectly honest, it doesn’t need to be. Once you have tasted your way through the incredibly flavourful and rich selection of items, you have really gone through the entire flavour profile of sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami and back again. Between 4 people we shared around 6 to 8 plates at around R100 per plate and all left feeling well fed so you need not worry about stopping for a little something on the way home to fill up.

On a service level I would normally say it was lacking, but then again I need to be slightly appreciative of the style of this establishment. You may think this is a bit of a cop out, but there is a certain “you’re on my time” sentiment in this bohemian neck of the woods and although I don’t agree with it, I do think it adds to the vibe of this little “hipster spot”. With regards to seatings, Hallelujah doesn’t take bookings of under 4 people so make sure that you get a little group together and secure yourself a spot with a booking. If you are fewer than 4 then get there early and grab a seat in the window – you should be fine. Hallelujah also have two seating times, a 6pm slot and an 830pm slot if I am not mistaken. If you get an 830pm seating don’t even bother getting there “a little early” as you will struggle to take your seat before the early booking turns.

As a closing thought all I can tell you is that I’m heading back to Hallelujah pretty soon. Is there any better compliment to pay a restaurant than to return? I personally don’t think so.

Enjoy.

Website: http://www.hallelujahhallelujah.co.za/