Newcomer Rare Grill in Kenilworth named best steakhouse in SA

18 Jul 2017

Newcomer of the Year in The Wolftrap Steakhouse Championships, Rare Grill in Kenilworth was also named the Steakhouse Champion for 2017, followed by Little Havana in Umhlanga Rocks taking second place and last year's winner, The Local Grill in Parktown North taking third place.

Greg Bax and Pete Goffe-Wood

Rare Grill’s win marks the first Cape winner in the five years of the championships. Little Havana was the winner in 2015 and The Local Grill in Parktown North has three titles to its name.

This year’s competition included over 150 steakhouses. The first round took place in May, when the public voted for their favourite steakhouse, resulting in ten finalists which were visited unannounced the next month by a number of judges headed up by celebrity chef Pete Goffe-Wood.

Wolftrap Steakhouse Championships announce top 10 finalists

12 Jun 2017

Speaking at the Awards, which was held at The Local Grill in Parktown North on Tuesday, 18 July, Goffe-Wood said this year’s scoresheet had been organically refined to focus on the steak on the plate, as well as looking at the side dishes and the quality of the hospitality. But essentially what is actually served and how it’s cooked, over and above the sourcing of the beef, is what’s been given the lion’s share of the points. “For us it’s about the meat, it’s about the steak being the hero, and first and foremost, we want to know how you’ve treated it, how you’ve cooked it. We love the fact that you’ve made all these bits and pieces, but primarily it’s about that celebration of meat.”

“We do have amazing beef in this country and the steakhouses of South Africa that celebrate this great beef are the ones that we wanted to highlight through The Wolftrap Steakhouse Champtionships,” added Jean-Pierre Rossouw, publisher of both Platter's and Rossouw's Restaurants by Diners Club, who emceed the event.

Time to celebrate. Well done to my team Jodi, Jussie, Sam, Nezi and Nandi. Couldn't have done this with out you. @thesteakhunter @thewolftrapwine @raregrillcpt #raregrillcpt #steakchamps2017 #awards #hardworkpaysoff #lovewhatyoudo

A post shared by Rare Grill (@raregrillza) on Jul 18, 2017 at 5:03am PDT

Rare Grill owner Greg Bax said it was "really cool" to win both Newcomer of the Year and Steakhouse Champion, and believes that for such an intimate steakhouse, this accolade is going to help put them on the map.

Goffe-Wood adds, “Rare Grill is a gem, an owner-operated steakhouse where Greg personally mans the grill and takes immense pride in the quality of his beef.”

His sentiment is echoed in the latest review of the steakhouse on EatOut.co.za, by patron Adam Cowell, which reads:

Almost reluctant to write a review so as not to share a well-kept secret. That would prejudice the owner who deserves to get the support for this gem. He has set himself a high standard and by not pushing the boundaries on price he has a winning formula. Keep it simple but good. Steak is the speciality. Fun and good wine offering. The service is friendly and efficient. The place is small so booking essential.

New awards this year included the previously-mentioned Newcomer of the Year, Steakhouse Legend of the Year, which was awarded to The Godfather in Centurion, and Steakhouse Chain of the Year, which went to the Cattle Baron Group for having four outlets in the top 30, namely Cattle Baron Tyger Waterfront, Cattle Baron George, Cattle Baron Tableview and Cattle Baron Mossel Bay.

Here, the much-awaited Top 10 Wolftrap Steakhouses for 2017: