Setting the spirits and taste buds tingling

I was in a pub.

A pub and restaurant on a Sunday afternoon, to be more exact.

To paraphrase Stuntman Mike, pubs offer much more than alcohol; they have good food, music and the company of interesting people.

Grapes Pub and Restaurant fulfils all these, and more.

With nothing but joy permeating the cosy building, I couldn’t believe I had never tried the corner watering hole.

I didn’t have to wait to be led to a table by my waiter Frank, which was amazing, seeing as the teeming pub’s customers had parked the streets full.

My guest, Malissa Spies (as in spear, not secret operatives) and I ordered a starter of deep-fried halloumi cheese, with sweet chilli sauce.

After that finger-licking good experience, we peered at the menu once again.

Their menu truly covers most bases, with fish, chicken, meat, vegetarian and even curry options, as well as a kiddies’ menu.

You can build your own pizza, build your own pasta, order a pub basket or order one of the restaurant’s famous pot pies.

The pub has also kept up with the trend of serving craft beer, as well as other drinks.

The Grapes Famous Burger tugged at my hunger strings with a fiery force, with a 100g steak, 120g beef patty, bacon and cheese, but in the end, after taking a hearty time trying to decide, I chose the chicken and mushroom pot pie.

The humongous pie’s size drew my eyes as it slid over the wooden table towards me (only 15 minutes after ordering it – fast for a pot pie).

After a few moments of shock (that’s a compliment, by the way), I dug my silvery spoon into the golden layering of pastry.

A rich treasure lay beneath, which of course, I could not finish in the end (once again, a good thing).

The creamy mushroom and chicken filling did its job and I was left in need of a takeaway box and the meal made for a heavenly midnight snack.

Malissa also could not finish her half chicken and ribs, with a baked potato.

But she found the meal delicious, giving me an enticing taste of the ribs.

We enjoyed the pub feel on the outside and were intrigued by people (of all ages) moving their feet to the guest band, Leon and Stewart Wilson, on the inside.

One of the owners, Julie Venner said there is also live entertainment at the eatery on Friday evenings.

Further in we could make out the neat table set-up of a restaurant, which the venue’s name promises.

Grapes is open seven days a week, from 10.30am to late, but the kitchen closes at 8.30pm from Monday to Saturday and at 4.30pm on Sundays.

I know I can’t wait to return to this jewel, on the corner of Russel Street and Victoria Avenue, in Western Extension.

Also read: Good food with good friends