{"id":18030,"date":"2025-03-17T13:44:47","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T11:44:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/?p=18030"},"modified":"2025-04-03T19:11:42","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T17:11:42","slug":"agrilla-meet-and-cocktail-bar-opens-at-time-square-pretoria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/agrilla-meet-and-cocktail-bar-opens-at-time-square-pretoria\/","title":{"rendered":"Agrilla Meet and Cocktail Bar opens at Time Square Pretoria"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>With an emphasis on friends gathering to enjoy great food, it comes as no surprise that Agrilla Meet and Cocktail Bar is a concept designed by business partners who are also buddies.<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">A play on the word meat, Agrilla, which opened end of April at Pretoria\u2019s largest entertainment and hotel complex, is an upmarket South African grill house and cocktail bar offering top-quality meat from a top local butcher.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>The restaurant\u2019s unique offering creates engaging entertainment with a \u2018theatre of dining\u2019, using butcher blocks to slice a customer\u2019s meat at their table.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>\u201cWe make our own drywors and biltong, our steaks are 21-day wet-aged in-house, and we offer the best pap and sheba,\u201d<\/em> said Agrilla executive chef Justin Jonah, who ironically is a former Executive Chef for Time Square. <em>\u201cWe are a steakhouse for adults and our menu is based upon what South Africans like to eat best \u2013 meat \u2013 with delicious dishes with sides of pap and sheba.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>With a track record of success across several Sun International properties &#8211; Agrilla owners Paul de Jager and Jon Sarris operate Trader\u2019s at Time Square, Maltos restaurants at Wild Coast Sun and Sun City resorts, as well as the popular The Shebeen at the latter \u2013 the upmarket restaurant is sure to find favour with locals as well as visiting international guests.<\/p>\n<p>The menu is influenced by the Afrikaans and Greek roots of its owners, offering dishes they enjoy such as chicken livers, trinchado and grilled halloumi. Starters include mushrooms, bruschetta rubbed with garlic and topped with black pepper cream, heirloom tomatoes and onion salsa, American-style buffalo chicken wings, tossed in a smoky barbeque sauce, and marrow bones with toast.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/45343.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-18033\" src=\"http:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/45343.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"848\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/45343.jpg 848w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/45343-300x272.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/45343-768x696.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/45343-561x508.jpg 561w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/45343-364x330.jpg 364w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/45343-758x686.jpg 758w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/45343-608x551.jpg 608w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 848px) 100vw, 848px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Specialities include a four-and-a-half-hour slow cooked short rib, served in a red wine gravy, and a 1kg rump steak.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>Our steaks are made in the most authentic possible style to show the quality of the meat, using natural rubs, salt and pepper which do not camouflage its flavour. We cook over coals on an open flame, and use methods such as rubbing our picanha with bay leaves, which is a great way to flavour meat &#8211;<\/em>\u00a0Jonah said. Steaks are rested in butter, thyme and garlic after being cooked.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Chicken dishes include a flame-grilled, baby chicken marinated overnight with paprika, white wine, garlic, and peri-peri, as well as a barbecue version. There is also a chicken espetada, made with chicken thighs and grilled Portuguese-style.<\/p>\n<p>The restaurant also does a mixed grill for sharing, with steak, boerewors, chicken wings and a choice of sides including twice-cooked potato wedges, buttery parmesan mashed potato, wedges, and creamed spinach.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/565564564.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-18034\" src=\"http:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/565564564.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"838\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/565564564.jpg 838w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/565564564-300x275.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/565564564-768x704.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/565564564-561x514.jpg 561w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/565564564-364x334.jpg 364w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/565564564-758x695.jpg 758w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/565564564-608x557.jpg 608w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 838px) 100vw, 838px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In keeping with its patron\u2019s requirements, Agrilla has a wide selection of whiskies and high-end cognacs. <em>\u201cWe want people to get together and enjoy cocktails inspired by top mixologists around the world,\u201d<\/em> said Sarris. <em>\u201cThink old school flavours with modern influence \u2013 instead of a whisky sour, we have a blueberry sour, made with tequila, for example.\u201d<\/em> Customers can be seated at the dedicated bar area which seats 10, and interact with one of three barmen to personalise their drinks orders.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Agrilla is open Tuesday to Friday from 2pm until 11pm, and on Saturdays from noon<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"x9f619 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 x2lah0s x1n2onr6 x1nhvcw1 x1qjc9v5 xozqiw3 x1q0g3np xyamay9 xykv574 xbmpl8g x4cne27 xifccgj\">\n<div class=\"x9f619 x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 xdt5ytf x2lah0s x193iq5w xeuugli xsyo7zv x16hj40l x10b6aqq x1yrsyyn\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"x1b0d499 xuo83w3\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/rsrc.php\/v4\/yW\/r\/8k_Y-oVxbuU.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" \/>\u00a0209 Aramist Avenue, Waterkloof Glen, Time Square Casino, Pretoria<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x9f619 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 x2lah0s x1n2onr6 x1nhvcw1 x1qjc9v5 xozqiw3 x1q0g3np xyamay9 xykv574 xbmpl8g x4cne27 xifccgj\">\n<div class=\"x9f619 x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 xdt5ytf x2lah0s x193iq5w xeuugli xsyo7zv x16hj40l x10b6aqq x1yrsyyn\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"x1b0d499 xuo83w3\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/rsrc.php\/v4\/yT\/r\/Dc7-7AgwkwS.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" \/>\u00a0012 003 5848<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x9f619 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 x2lah0s x1n2onr6 x1nhvcw1 x1qjc9v5 xozqiw3 x1q0g3np xyamay9 xykv574 xbmpl8g x4cne27 xifccgj\">\n<div class=\"x9f619 x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 xdt5ytf x2lah0s x193iq5w xeuugli xsyo7zv x16hj40l x10b6aqq x1yrsyyn\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"x1b0d499 xuo83w3\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/rsrc.php\/v4\/yE\/r\/2PIcyqpptfD.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" \/>\u00a0Agrilla@sunadmin.co.za<\/div>\n<div><a href=\"http:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMGL0476.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-18032\" src=\"http:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMGL0476.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1150\" height=\"767\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMGL0476.jpg 1150w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMGL0476-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMGL0476-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMGL0476-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMGL0476-561x374.jpg 561w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMGL0476-1122x748.jpg 1122w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMGL0476-364x243.jpg 364w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMGL0476-758x506.jpg 758w, https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMGL0476-608x406.jpg 608w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1150px) 100vw, 1150px\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With an emphasis on friends gathering to enjoy great food, it comes as no surprise that Agrilla Meet and Cocktail Bar is a concept designed by business partners who are also buddies. A play on the word meat, Agrilla, which opened end of April at Pretoria\u2019s largest entertainment and hotel complex, is an upmarket South&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18031,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18030","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"wps_subtitle":"A play on the word meat, the restaurant conceptualised by two buddies ","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18030","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18030"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18030\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18035,"href":"https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18030\/revisions\/18035"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18031"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.food-blog.co.za\/joburg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}