Gramadoelas
Market Theatre Complex, Bree St, Newtown
About
For 40 years, Eduan Naude and Brian Shalkoff have entertained royals, rock stars, presidents, and audiences from all over Africa (including a loyal local following) in their marvelously cluttered restaurant in the Market theatre in Newtown's Cultural Precinct -- a far more interesting area than the bland northern suburbs and one that has thoroughly regenerated itself, with Gramadoelas offering a great starting point to a night out on the town (it's certainly a great deal more authentic and satisfying than nearby Moyo). The menu sometimes sacrifices excellence in favor of authenticity, but Sen. Hillary Clinton apparently loved the mopani worms (masonja), and the umnqusho, a mixture of braised beef shins, beans, and maize, is Mandela's favorite dish. For the more timid, there are huge prawns, mild Cape Malay vegetarian and meat curries (babotie, the delicately spiced mince curry, is excellent), ostrich filet, and an aromatic snoek (local fish) pie. Although a half-kilo of king-size Mozambican prawns will dent your wallet, most dishes are around R80, and there are regular buffets showcasing an array of African dishes.
