While most wine farm restaurants are all about table-clothed refinement and sophistication, Groot Constantia estate’s new offering is going against the grain and bringing a spot of relaxed revelry to the Cape Town Winelands. The exciting new Southwestern-style grill, BBQUES, lies right next door to the celebrated Simon’s restaurant and has been delighting patrons since its opening on 24 May 2013.
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Mike Lumb, Rudi Minaar and David Cambell say, “If you can’t have fun, then this isn’t the place to come”. Intent on offering something truly unique, they have converted a large cellar, formerly used for functions, into a pastoral pop-up type space that’s centred on providing good fare and solid entertainment.
Food at BBQUES is reasonably priced: starters are between R35 and R45, mains from R80 to R130 and desserts between R30 and R40. There’s no cover charge for the live entertainment (although patrons are expected to order off the menu).
Open on Friday evenings, the informal, open-plan set up lends itself to a festive atmosphere and upbeat, live music is all part of the fun. In addition to the saucy Southwestern grub, visitors in for a good time can look forward to tapping their toes to catchy original folk rock tunes strummed by the up-and-coming four-piece Nick Marucci band (rumour has it they’re SA’s very own Mumford & Sons).
As for the fare, the focus of the weekend eatery is on South Western American-style comfort food, offering a diverse menu with something for everyone, including the health-conscious. While the menu will change regularly, visitors will find anything from ribs, steak and Southern fried chicken to gumbo ya-ya, pulled pork, fish skewers and mussel chowder on the chalk board. In addition, each table will be treated to a selection of exciting sauces to accompany their meals.
Diners can wash the full-flavoured dishes down with a wide array of beers and other beverages and can opt to share a long wooden communal table with other like-minded revellers or take a seat at one of the smaller, more intimate perches (arguably the biggest fireplace in the Southern Hemisphere turns the space into a cosy, glowing haven during the winter months).
Although first and foremost a restaurant, the focus is on having a good time at the colourful, country-style BBQUES, making this the place for fun and frivolity and a rare taste of no-frills Winelands dining.
Directions to BBQues Restaurant
Groot Constantia Wine Estate
Groot Constantia Rd
Cape Town
7848
Phone: 021 794 2984
Email: bbques@kristensen.co.za