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
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.
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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