{eat} Bistro31 Bar & Eatery: a menu just as vibrant, colourful and hip as its neighbourhood

Lunch in the city is always a special occasion for me. Recently we headed out to Bistro31 Bar & Eatery based on the ground floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town Upper Eastside hotel in Woodstock. What awaited us was a delicious blend of local flavours, tastes and textures, inspired by the old and hip neighbourhood it calls home.

Introduction

Previously known as Liberty’s, Bistro31 Bar & Eatery launched in all its splendour towards the end of August this year. Neatly tucked into the ground floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town Upper Eastside hotel, it offers tourists, visitors, hotel guests and locals a chance to dine in style, whilst enveloped in great service, great staff, great food and best of all – great cocktails.

Being the hotel eatery, The Tall One and I were not quite sure what to expect, but we were completely and utterly pleasantly surprised at what we found…and tasted!

Background

Having spent 15 years honing his culinary talents across Europe and South Africa, executive chef Simon Kemp has made the DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town – Upper Eastside kitchen his creative home.

With the eatery being incredibly easy to access through the hotel’s underground parking, it’s hip and happening right in the middle of Cape Town’s oldest neighbourhood, Woodstock. Diverse, colourful and vibrant, Bistro31’s food echoes its community and surroundings, bringing a bit of the cultural flair to your plate.

The venue

Understatedly elegant, the beauty is in the details. High ceilings, wall-to-wall windows, uber-plush furnishings and classic décor, the eatery lays at the foot of the incredibly impressive bar. With glass shelving to the ceiling, it’s a magnificent centerpiece that boasts with local and international liqueurs. It’s here that mixologist, Jade, conjures up their impressive cocktail menu.

Although massive chandeliers hang from the ceiling and the space presents as contemporary and very Hilton-esque (as it should), it does this quietly, so that the warm and friendly atmosphere invites you in to stay a bit longer. Not for one minute do you feel uncomfortable in what seems to be a super glamorous bistro; on the contrary – you feel spoiled and celebrated, enjoying hearty food alongside a touch of the sophisticated.

The food

An all-day affair bistro, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at Bistro31. Their a la carte lunch and dinner menus offer a variety of tapas, salads, burgers and much more.

After our lovely waitress, Yumna, showed us to our table, we woke our appetites with a Smashed Gin and an Irish Legend cocktail, taking in our surrounds. The cocktails were fresh, flavourful, not overly sweet, and appropriately garnished.

Two sharing plates started our lunch experience: lamb bitterballen served with a pomegranate teriyaki, as well as a generous portion of fish tacos, served with chimichurri, avo and chipotle aioli. Both tapas offerings were superb, and were plated delicately with taste. I quite enjoyed the playful juxtaposition between the eatery’s name, suggesting a bistro-style institution, against the fine-dining inspired plated dishes. Whilst there is nothing simple about their carefully crafted menu, each dish still heroes the star ingredients with minimal interference, which does reflect the bistro atmosphere.

Mains included one of Chef Simon’s legendary burgers, the OMG – packed with bacon bits, caramelised onions and a smoked cheese sauce. Tim couldn’t wait to get tucked into the hand-cut chips, served with more of their signature chipotle aioli. I settled for a gourmet sandwich, with Spanish chorizo, smoked Overberg cheese, basil and tomato, served with shoestring fries. To up our greens, we finished the order with a side salad to share.

Needless to say, we left only crumbs.  Whilst we contentedly sat back, Jade presented Tim with one of his new cocktail creations – a beautiful summer-blue drink with bright red cherries and a sea-foam over top. This one is yet to be named, and I hope it will make an appearance on the menu this season!

Yumna enticed us with dessert offerings, and made it very difficult for us not to get excited over their sweet offerings. Wanting something light, Tim chose the Choux au Craquelin with a miso & white chocolate mousse, whilst I excitedly chose the Passionfruit & Madagascan vanilla Crème Brulee; both reminiscent of long summer days, tropical aromas and sunsets in warm, bright colours. Both desserts were flavour bombs, offering well-thought through spoonfuls balanced with texture, flavour and creativity.

In conclusion

Bistro31 was an utterly delicious surprise. Perfect for that occasion-breakfast, a friendiversary lunch or date night with your loved one, you will not only be spoilt with a luxurious environment to dine in, but also spoilt for choice, whether it’s food or drinks. With sterling service, stunning people, a great ambience, awesome background music (I never say that!) bespoke cocktails and vibrant, fresh and colourful food, Bistro31 Bar & Eatery should be on your “to-experience” list. Because it’s not only a place to eat, it’s a place to experience.

Disclaimer: I was invited to this event in my personal capacity. There was no expectation for platform coverage in the form of a blog, or social media posts. This is my honest and truthful opinion and review thereof. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are solely those of The Little Hedonist, given in good faith and in no way influenced by the company or its affiliates. All images, unless otherwise stated/credited, are also my own.

The Little Hedonist endorses responsible drinking.
Don’t drink and drive. Not for persons under 18.