Grub & Vine has closed after eight years on Bree Street. In its place comes Les Amis, a new restaurant opening at the same 103 Bree Street address on 5 November.
The biggest change is in the kitchen. Aaron Subroyal, who led the kitchen at Grub & Vine, will have full creative control of the food at Les Amis. Matt Manning remains involved as chef-patron.
Subroyal grew up in Durban and trained at 1000 Hills Chef School. His experience includes Michael Mina in San Francisco, The Test Kitchen in Cape Town and Sketch in London. Cooking runs in the family: his father and grandmother were both chefs.
His menu will draw on classical French technique, South African ingredients and the food he grew up eating. Manning’s aim is an approachable neighbourhood restaurant where that cooking can find its own identity.
The format is changing too. Grub & Vine had moved towards set menus, while Les Amis will offer à la carte dining, with room to order a few dishes to share or settle in for a full meal. A changing chef’s special will also sit outside the regular menu.
The name Les Amis is French for “the friends”, reflecting Manning’s idea of sharing a meal with friends. The restaurant’s Instagram account now uses @les_amis_capetown and has announced that reservations are open ahead of the launch.
Additional reporting: Eat Out (via Head Topics) and Bizcommunity.
