Hiro Izakaya: Cheyne Morrisby’s New Spot at Constantia Uitsig

Hiro Izikaya

Modern-Japanese small plates taken to the next level.

One minute you’re walking on a Constantia wine farm, the next you’ve stepped through a doorway into an atmospheric Asian eatery that could easily be in a backstreet of Osaka. Cheyne Morrisby (and partner Danielle Oosthuizen)’s newest restaurant is at Constantia Uitsig, but they’ve transformed the inside of the traditional whitewashed cottage into a black-walled, moody, candlelit and intimate space. Seating just 36 diners, it’s decorated with Danielle’s vibrant artwork, above blue velvet button-backed banquettes, and a gleaming bar. Outside on the wide verandah, umbrella-shaded tables share beautiful Uitsig vine and mountain views, perfect for sunny lunches, leaving it to Cheyne’s superb Japanese-inspired small plates to conjure up the modern Asian street-food scene.

Modern Japanese small plates

Hiro Izikaya: Food

Cheyne has outdone himself at Hiro Izakaya, with a succession of beautifully presented, utterly delicious morsels crammed with mouth-popping flavours. The tuna taco is revelatory: a crispy wafer-thin triangle topped with marinated fish, and a touch of citrus-spiked kewpie mayo. The baked kingklip on kombu (kelp) in a 48-hour dashi broth was obviously painstakingly prepared and equally sublime. Another highlight was the totally delicious short-rib gyoza, with star anise and ginger. I’m not a bitterballen person per se, but the duck-and-lime-leaf croquettes were a treat. Beyond these stand-outs is a perfectly formed (and ever-changing) list of plates to explore, gathered into Cheyne’s signature Sea, Land and Earth categories.

Any given Sundae

For dessert, dig into a Japanese-style sundae of apple harumaki (spring rolls), cinnamon ice cream and ginger cream, the “liquid” cheesecake, or peanut-butter ice cream with miso butterscotch and chocolate soil. Each one prettier than the next.

Hiro Izikaya: Interior

Service is warm, friendly and well-informed, and the atmosphere perfect for intimate dinners and leisurely lunches… Hiro Izakaya is a jewel of an addition to the Constantia Uitsig foodscape.

Good to know The four-course tasting experience for R400 is excellent value.
Opening times Tuesday –  Sunday, 12pm –  10pm
Contact 082 373 5045
Where to find it Constantia Uitsig, Spaanschemat River Road, Constantia, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan

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Disclaimer:

The Inside Guide has made every effort to ensure that the information in this post was correct at the time of publication. However, we do not assume any liability caused by errors, such as price, cost, time, and location.

Time of publication: 24 July 2024