Before we get into it, let’s begin with the moral of the story: never judge a book by its cover. Hidden amidst an urban renewal setting of The Spice Yard in Salt River’s industrial district, a culinary gem serving unassuming, underrated, and purely unadulterated taste explosions like no other emerges.
And guess what? It’s fully halaal!
The Happy Uncles is a milestone in the halaal scene in Cape Town. It’s often pretty difficult for Muslims to find an authentic fine dining experience in the Mother City. Hungry For Halaal said it best, it seems like the words “fine dining” slip off the tongue a little too easily in the halaal food industry – and often without much qualification.
That is until about three months ago. Riedaa Manie, Fuad de Vries, and “a humble group of chefs that know their way around ingredients and flavors” are taking centre stage with a mission to make The Happy Uncles a true quintessence of Cape Town fine dining.
@tasneemjacobs_14 Where my foodies at? ? A must experience if you’re in Cape Town: a private fine dining theatrical experience! Go find them on Instagram @the.happyuncle ? Comment if you have Qs about the place & menu! #fyp #fypシ #fypage #fypシ゚viral #capetown #fullyhalaal #halaal #privatefinedining #finedining #dinner #dinning #dinnerparty #privateparty #chefstable #privatecatering ♬ New Home – Austin Farwell
In a pre-Covid era, Chef Anwaar Abdullatief obtained his diploma in professional cookery and spent 13 years building a repertoire across the Cape Winelands among some of the country’s top restaurants. When Covid hit, Anwaar was working for Clos Malverne.
Since then, what started as a production kitchen for private and corporate events soon became the exclusive chef’s table experience that it is today – a rising star in the world of fine dining. Who would have thought that we could ever be grateful for something born from the aftermath of corona?
Chefs Anwaar Abdullatief, his wife Yolani Abrahams, and the rest of the team have made it their mission to offer Muslims and non-Muslims alike meticulously and extravagantly plated cuisine for a dining experience that will not soon be forgotten.
The exclusive chef table experience offers you a choice of three set menus.
Each menu serves a pre-starter accompanied by the theatrics of dry ice smoke to set just the right atmosphere for the rest of the culinary experience.
Followed by a starter of familiar flavours served in an unexpected way on a completely black palette.
The number of main courses varies depending on the course and beverages are not included (but are available of course).
A palate cleanser is prepared at the table by the waiter. Made of frozen coconut flakes and elderflower granita with dry ice and topped with edible flowers.
And finally, a delicious dessert of contrasting flavors is somehow made to create the perfect balance between bitter, sweet, and tart.
Choose between a selection of three set menus:
Chef’s Table: 4 Course
- R650 per person
Chef’s Table: 6 Course
- R880 per person
Chef’s Table: 8 Course
- R1225 per person
Their incredible service and flexibility doesn’t simply end outside the restaurant walls. They offer catering services for private functions too – be it an intimate gathering, anniversary celebration or a full scale corporate or wedding event.
Pop them an email with your ideal date, party size and preferred menu and they’ll happily forward you a quotation (They aren’t called the Happy Uncles for no reason)
- Location: Unit 14, The Spice Yard, 100 Voortrekker Road, Salt River
- Website: Instagram – @the.happyuncle
- Restaurant and bookings: email [email protected]
If you haven’t made a booking yet, what’s stopping you?
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Picture: The Happy Uncles / Facebook