WELCOME TO BACON ON BREE

When whispers of a new bacon bar opening on Bree started circulating in March, it was like the scales had fallen from our eyes and we realised what had been missing from the Mother City’s restaurant line-up.

Red Sofa‘s plate of bacon is a Sunday-morning cure-all, Jason‘s bacon croissants are sold out long before 8 am, and Cure Deli‘s bacon jam has changed the face of toast all over the city. But nowhere was an eatery dedicated solely to this universally popular item.

Until now.

Bacon on Bree is officially open. The brainchild of Richard Bosman (you’ll know him from his range of Quality Cured Meats), the spanking new eatery is neatly sandwiched between Mother’s Ruin gin joint and the soon-to-be-open Culture Club Cheese Bar, so you can get all your fixes without moving the car.

First up, to the anti-Noakes camp let me say this: Bacon on Bree is not a Banting bar, and fresh, delicious bread and croissants are pillars of the menu.

We stopped by for the shoulder-to-shoulder opening last week, but decided to quietly sample the wares in a less frenetic environment over lunch yesterday. Here’s the deal: order and pay at the counter, then park yourself on a stool at the blonde-wood counters. Alternatively, you can wander down the stairs to peruse the boutique art gallery, or grab a seat in the secret courtyard.

When your meal arrives (promptly, I might add), it’s served on wooden boards in the shape of an adorable little porker (which may be too visual a reminder for animal lovers, but there you go). The boards are also available to purchase, if you’d prefer to chop your veggies on them at home.

We opted for The Anti-Hero, a simple but sublime combo of bacon and their home-made ketchup on sourdough from Knead bakery. Stuffed with an accidentally ordered (no really) extra portion of bacon, this was one hell of a sandwich.

I’m a sucker for bacon paired with Brie, and a good haircut with a three-piece suit, so The Harvey Specter had to happen: bacon, Brie, tomato and pesto on a ciabatta. What can I say? The bacon was crispy, the Brie was soft, the tomato and ciabatta were fresh and delicious – it basically ticked all the boxes for a cut-above Tuesday lunch in Cape Town.

You can pair your bacon sarmie with coffee, fresh juice or a selection of craft beer. Non-bacon-eaters (are you lost?) will be pleased to know a salmon option and a salad round out the menu.

The verdict? Bacon on Bree’s food is well presented and moreish. Some bloggers have found the prices a little steep, but the portions are generous and the ingredients top quality. We’ll be back.

OF NOTE
Where 217 Bree Street, CBD
Trading hours Monday to Friday 7 am – 4 pm, Saturday 8 am – 2 pm, closed Sundays and public holidays
Need to know Buy a bottle of the home-made ketchup or Woman Scorned chilli sauce on your way out
Contact +27 21 422 2798, bacononbree.com

Photography Justin Williams and Jade Taylor Cooke