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While a cut of meat is always the main event, it isn’t the same without the support of a side dish, whether it’s retro crumbed mushrooms or blooming onions. To kick things up a notch, here are five spots across SA that are serving anything-but-ordinary sidekicks for your steaks.

ASH Restaurant (City Bowl, Cape Town)

The food at this edgy eatery is big and ballsy, with more than a nod to nose-to-tail cooking. While the menu changes regularly, you can expect exciting meaty options like dry-aged beef or slow-cooked lamb shoulder. The sides could easily excite as much as the main event. Think pommes Anna with miso emulsion; bone-marrow mash with meaty gravy; braised carrots with carrot juice; and choucroute cabbage with white wine and bacon.

A post shared by Elizabeth Moll (@silkyllamma) on Feb 20, 2017 at 10:29am PST

Che Argentine Grill (Maboneng, Johannesburg)

This is Latin-American cuisine at its finest. Order a succulent beef rib eye or prime rib and pair it with one of the tempting sides. You won’t find soggy chips here; instead, look to options of roasted zucchini and aubergines tossed with olive oil; roasted Hasselback potatoes cooked in white wine and butter with bacon; or a fresh and zingy option of red cabbage with orange segments, cashew nuts and sprouts.

A post shared by CHE Argentine Grill (@che303foxstreet) on Mar 10, 2017 at 1:15am PST

The Joint Jazz Café (OR Tambo Parade, Durban)

This new shisa-nyama spot does not disappoint on the meat front, but it’s the sides we want to talk about. Order your cut of choice (think T-bone, Wagyu or sea-salt rump) and a wild side to go with it. They all have eclectic Durban flair: slaw with candied pecans and yoghurt; steamed mfino (African spinach) with roasted peanuts; Durban-style spicy pineapple; and bhatata (sweet potato) with chakalaka and pap. Craving fries? The chip bowls are sensational, too – order yours with hot sauce for an extra kick.

Beef brisket and chip bowl at The Joint Jazz Café. Photo supplied.

Hoghouse Barbecue (Ndabeni, Cape Town)

This buzzing barbecue pleases with its meaty menu of cuts sold by weight. Tuck into a beef brisket or pork spare ribs and pair them with one of the tempting sides. The veggie-friendly options include braaibroodjies with boerenkaas and onion; cut corn with smoked paprika butter; fire-coasted beets with babaghanoush; and mac ’n cheese with leeks and gruyère.

A post shared by Hoghouse Brewing Company (@thehoghouse) on Feb 7, 2017 at 12:27am PST

The Potato Shed (Newtown, Johannesburg)

Potato sides shine at this grillhouse. Guests are encouraged to order their choice of meat, burger, ribs, or fire-pit skewer and mop up the juices with exciting spud sides like slashed-and-stuffed potato with truffle mozzarella; baked potato with beef scratchings; crispy skins with saffron mayo; or aloo pakora with mustard-mashed potato and atchar. If you’re going potato-free, there’s caper-butter corn with pap and chakalaka.

A post shared by Joburg Food & Travel (@jesska_f) on Feb 5, 2017 at 2:11am PST

Tramontina’s Churrasco range is made with high-quality treated steel and Polywood – a shock- and heat-resistant wood that is dishwasher safe. The knives are long-lasting and feature a five-year warranty against manufacturer defects.

The Churrasco range also includes grills, tongs, serving dishes and carts to make your braai experience as effortless as possible.