Franschhoek is often accused of being too full for its own good but this is often tinged with a little bit of envy by those who are not. It is a delightful place to be any time of the year and has some of the very best—and best run—wine tasting facilities in the entire Cape. Not only that but it has great restaurants, which range from the very best i.e. expensive—to those which will suit any pocket. The views are to die for and the people are friendly. Very much like Madonna, it keeps reinventing itself and is as modern as tomorrow but with all the charm of yesteryear.
Well known exterior
Located slap-bang in the heart of the village, Franks is the passion project of American entrepreneur – and proud Franschhoek resident – Frank Rodriguez, who tapped into the culinary skills of his close friend, acclaimed chef Reuben Riffel, and the hospitality acumen of his business partner and co-owner of the restaurant Alex McCormack, to create a contemporary dining destination serving up a fresh and simple take on modern American cuisine.
Reuben Riffel and Aviv Liebenberg
Riffel and his business partner Ryno Snyman– together with Executive Chef Aviv Liebenberg – have outdone themselves in creating a collection of dishes he dubs ‘New-Style American’, with the diversity of communities across the USA allowing the freedom to create dishes that celebrate both traditional and contemporary culinary cultures.
Spoil yourself
Starters range from baba ghanoush and tuna tataki, to the classic cream-and-wine sauce of the steamed West Coast mussels; a perfect pairing with The Franschhoek Beer Company’s award-winning Weissbier No. 5..Another firm favourite is the Corn Dog, a classic American snack given a lift here by homemade ketchup and pickled cucumbers, and a fine dance partner to the Liberty American Pale Ale.
Inviting interior
Perfect steaks
Main courses are focused on steak – generous portions of premium grain-fed beef – broiled in the kitchen’s imported Pira charcoal oven and finished on a flame grill. Here they’re served unadorned, putting the prime cuts centre stage, with a choice of sides.
Another standout is the ‘Nashville’ Hot Chicken, which takes the flavours of this American southern classic – garlic, paprika and cayenne pepper – and reinvents the serving in a succulent deboned chicken quarter carefully brined, marinated and char-grilled.
A concise selection of salads, burgers and pasta plates are also on offer, while a trio of desserts, drawing heavily on American favourites, rounds out the menu.
The menu has also been carefully created to pair neatly with craft beer. Although there is a comprehensive wine list focused on Franschhoek estates, with corkage at R100, the heart of the drinks offering is the selection of The Franschhoek Beer Company brews on tap at the bar
Franks Corner Bar and Grill is located at 42 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek and offers an all-day menu from noon until 10pm daily.
Book via www.franks-corner.com. | IG: @franks_corner_za
PLEASE NOTE–THIS IS NOT A REVIEW