Pioneer’s Butcher and Grill in Hazyview is all about great quality meat and a warm ambience, says Eat Out critic Hennie Fisher.

Food

The meat is hand cut and dry aged for 28 days – it’s safe to believe locals when they say this is the home of the best steaks in the Lowveld. Starters include many meat options such as trinchado (served with tomato, garlic and chilli salsa), bobotie spring rolls, or the Ma-John-Jean to share, a family favourite of 200g spiced sirloin, medium grilled and served with homemade bread and garlic mayonnaise.

A starter meal at Pioneer’s Butcher and Grill. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

There are two types of carpaccio – beef and ostrich – but also lighter starters such as rainbow trout fillets with lemon, thyme and black pepper cream cheese.

Steak weights are clearly indicated, with different portions to cater for all appetites. These can be ordered grilled in the traditional mode with only rock salt and pepper, or Pioneer’s style with added basting. Side orders include onion rings, sautéed mushrooms, homemade chakalaka, and even boerewors.

Marrow bones served with bread at Pioneer’s Butcher and Grill. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

You could try the Rump Mozambique, served with peri-peri chicken livers, fried egg and anchovy, or one of the range of burgers and combos featuring poultry, seafood, lamb, pork and venison such as ostrich, kudu and crocodile.

Drinks

Wines by the glass (served in a 250ml carafe) include three whites, a rosé and five reds, including an Arabella Shiraz and Kanu Rockwood. There is a substantial section of semi-sweet whites, including some legends one might not have seen in a long time such as Grunberger Freudenlese, Kupferberger Auslese and Nederburg Special Late Harvest. Interesting white options include the Backsberg Sauvignon Blanc; Durbanville Hills Biesjes Craal Sauvignon Blanc and Kleine Zalze Chenin Blanc. Reds come from the likes of Knorhoek, Uitkyk, La Motte, Raka and Simonsig. The wine list also features some nice bubblies, MCCs and special bottles.

A mouthwatering streak at Pioneer’s Butcher and Grill. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Service

Like many restaurants with regulars, people grow so fond of the service staff at Pioneer’s that they ask to be served by particular waiters. (Remember the name Moses). All the staff members are smartly attired, attentive and friendly, and are able to explain the intricacies of meat ageing and any specials of the day. They employ the European-style policy that allows all tips to be shared among all the staff, meaning that kitchen staff also receive 40% of this pool.

The rump served at Pioneer’s Butcher and Grill. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Ambience

During the day, the large stoep offers a welcome reprieve from the harsh Lowveld sun. Tables in elegant white are always set out here, and large windows allow you to feel part of the buzz inside the restaurant. At night, the golden glow spilling out from inside the restaurant is even more inviting, and you can opt for booths or table seating. The colour scheme of deep orange and brown offsets table settings in elegant white, with small cacti and succulents as table decorations.

Outside at Pioneer’s Butcher and Grill. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

And…

Chef-patron Denee Fick Esterhuizen knows the area very well and is happy to make suggestions of activities, other exciting dining possibilities or just general feel-good stories about her area.

Have you satisfied your inner carnivore at Pioneer’s Butcher and Grill in Hazyview? Let us know all about it in a review.

Eat Out critics dine anonymously and pay for their meals in full. Read our editorial policy here.