| THE ambiance of Greenlands is wonderful and welcoming: a wooden deck is set back from the road and several metres higher, so people can pretend they're lunching in a garden – especially if they score one of the deep cane armchairs.
On sunny days, there's nowhere better – and if it's raining, there are tables inside. All in all, it's a big improvement from the restaurant's earlier premises on the lower level of an arcade around the corner.
Greenlands' owner, vegan Kim Robinson, says she specialises in food that's wheat- and gluten-free. There are buffets at breakfast and lunchtime, as well as a range of juices and smoothies. Among the most popular is an almond bliss smoothie, with ground almonds, bananas and dates blended into the yoghurt. A new juice menu will add more boosters to the current list.
The lunch buffet has salads, interesting breads (pumpkin, carrot and date) and dishes like Mauritian sweet potato curry with carrots and coconut milk, or a nut roast made with cashews, aubergines and baby marrows – that one is not only wheat- and gluten-free but also egg-free. There's also a special kids' menu and playground.
16 Dundalk Avenue, corner Roscommon Road, Parkview Telephone: 011 486 3361 Hours: Breakfast and lunch Tuesdays to Sundays Website: www.gingko.co.za
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