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Review: Bacon on Bree is open and you have to go immediately

Thursday, April 23rd, 2015 by Linda Scarborough and Katharine Jacobs
Bacon on Bree exterior

Cape Town’s very first ‘baconporium’ has opened up in Bree Street, promising naturally, ethically farmed bacon of exceptional quality. We visit Bacon on Bree.

Food

This is bacon as you’ve never had it before: unctuous, umami-rich and expertly-cured – a far cry from watery supermarket bacon. It is the deserved hero of the brief but satisfying menu.

If you’re after a pure, unadulterated bacon kick, there’s a simple bacon butty on sourdough with homemade ketchup. The Smokey Joe,  however, with bacon, beautifully melty cheddar and a dusting of smoked paprika, will also serve to satisfy any cheese craving you might be harbouring.

The Smokey Joe

The Smokey Joe on a low-carb roll.

If you’re into sweet and salty combos, The Yank  might be your bag. An über-buttery croissant spread with Richard’s special macadamia-honey butter (with a touch of cinnamon) and crammed with the crispiest bacon rashers imaginable, it’s an explosion of creamy sweetness and savoury crunch that’ll have you weak at the knees.

Le Coq Sportif.

Le Coq Sportif.

If you’re not quite on the bacon-on-bread bandwagon, try Le Coq Sportif, a generous portion of sticky chicken wings with an ‘umami bacon’ sauce made with soy, mirin and shiitake mushrooms. There’s also a salad (admittedly with bacon, endive, avo, blue cheese and croutons). Low-carb bread is available for those who are only the banting train, or those avoiding wheat.

In future, a specials board will announce new sarmies, soups and salads – and also reveal the bacon being used that day. “It’s a small kitchen,” explains co-owner Richard Bosman, so the changing bacon-of-the-day gives all the different kinds of bacon a chance to shine. (Hoorah!)

Drinks

Fresh juices – including pink lemonade – join the array of coffees by Kamili. Once the liquor licence comes through, Richard plans to serve craft beer and wines, as well as a selection of bacon-infused cocktails. (We can hardly wait for the Bloody Mary with bacon-infused vodka, or the Old Fashioned with bacon-infused whisky.)

Ambience

Windows overlook Bree Street.

Windows overlook Bree Street.

It’s a light and uncluttered space that lets you get down to the business of bacon worship. Find a little stool at the blonde wood counter looking out onto Bree Street or try grab a seat at one of the neat tables outside. There’s more seating downstairs, too, if things are a little cramped up top.

Inside, two small shelves boast Kamili coffee, some homemade ketchup and jars of the fantastic ‘mac nut honey butt’ to take home. There’s also a fridge packed with gleaming rows of Richard Bosman’s charcuterie and bacon.

Service

Order and pay at the counter, then find a seat and await your food. They’re only just opened, so they’re still ironing out small service bumps like timing and clearing.

And…

The space is available for private functions in the evenings, so your dream of a bacon-themed engagement party could soon be a reality.

Eat Out reviewers dine unannounced and anonymously, and pay for their meals. Read more about our editorial policy here. Have you been to Bacon on Bree recently? Share your experience by writing a review.

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8 Comments

  • Amanda
    April 24, 2015

    I stay in the CBD area and I believe that Bacon on Bree is a knock-out!!!! My daughter is a bacon freak and when I told her about it she said that she is now quitting looking for that pig farmer to marry!!!!!!! LOL!!!!

    Reply
    1. Sithu
      April 24, 2015

      Hilarious! :’D

  • Heinrich
    April 24, 2015

    Went there yesterday. Wasn’t that busy which I was thankful for. The sandwich was good. I loved the concept of smoked paprika on the outside of the sandwich. Only thing is, we waited 40min for our order to arrive. I doubt that this will happen to everyone that goes, could’ve been slightly overwhelmed at that stage, or there was miscommunication in the kitchen. I think the place can do with some music to add to the ambience. He seems like a nice bloke, wish him all the best. Could break the bank to go there everyday for lunch, but they will definitely see me again.

    Reply
  • Peter Cockwell
    April 25, 2015

    could we have a price menu before traveling from Hermanus
    Regards
    Peter

    Reply
  • Kevin
    April 25, 2015

    Is It Kosher?

    Reply
    1. Vic
      April 29, 2015

      No, only halaal.

  • paul myers
    May 13, 2015

    Macon bacon?

    Reply
  • Ryan
    July 22, 2015

    Don’t want to spoil the party but I was completely underwhelmed. It is a great idea and the decor is great and all but the offering falls flat. Bacon was way too salty and overcooked and sadly the flavour was similar to anything that you could buy in the local Checkers. There should be a choice between crispy and soft bacon. I think the menu is also great on paper but the quality and the promise of homemade, artisan bacon is simply not there. Drinks menu is also nothing to write home about. No beer in a bacon restaurant?

    Reply

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