The tapas menu includes three social grazing boards, which are great for sharing between three or four and include tasty-sounding options like lamb flat breads or antipasti. My dining partner and I decided to forego the platters when visiting for the first time last Friday night, however, and instead ordered a selection of small plates to share, but not before sampling one of their unique cocktails. I ordered the Basil-Melon Daisy, which is an infusion of gin, basil, melon, lemon juice and soda. Adding drama and interest, a spoonful of raspberry jam is placed atop your drink as well a liberal grind of black pepper. Sounds a little out there but despite looking not so good on paper, I trusted our waiter JP's recommendation and gave it a try; a truly complex layer of flavours that melded so well together I ordered another.
The tapas plates we chose included the sticky pork belly cubes accompanied by a black bean chilli curd, which was totally scrumptious and was excellently complemented by the earthy and flavoursome red lentil dhal. The tender Beef Tattaki, dressed with ginger, soya, lime, a perfect Asian-flavour marriage, was quite possibly my favourite dish of the night; however, perhaps better suited for summer as it is served cold. To these dishes we added the chicharónnes with hot sauce, which is incredibly crunchy deep-fried pork crackling and a generous helping of bread and plump black and green Marbin olives. The chicharónnes are perhaps an acquired taste and texture, and were not our favourite dish of the night, so we didn't quite finish the whole portion. However the rest of dishes tasted were top class and incredibly moreish.
For dessert we shared the one and only option: a trio of petit fours, which included a gooey lemon tartlet, two cubes of Turkish delight and two dense chocolate truffles. It's a fairly light dessert so if a massive sweet tooth hankering is upon you I wouldn't recommend sharing this as there might be a desperate fight for the last few mouthfuls.
Peddlar's & Co and Chef Brad Ball have really created something quite unique: one venue, four uniquely different dining options that each cater for specific tastes or moods. Graciales, the most hip of the four, is perfect for large social gatherings or vibey date nights.
Gracias Graciales!
Graciales Social is situated at Peddlars' & Co at 13 Spaanschemat River Road, Constantia, Cape Town and is open Monday to Thursday 3pm - 11pm, Friday to Sunday 12noon - 11pm. To make a booking contact +27 (0)21 794 7747 or email az.oc.sralddep@ofni
