VUUR, known for its open-fire cooking, unveils its latest venture – VUUR Goose Island. Departing from the private dining concept of its predecessor, VUUR Goose Island will embrace a slightly modified approach.

“Fire cooking is still the name of the game,” says owner and chef, Shaun Scrooby. “But instead of having a complete private restaurant as with VUUR, this one will be a social table with 16 to 18 guests sitting around a big table.” For those seeking a more intimate experience, the Chef’s Counter is available for booking, offering a secluded space for two.

What sets VUUR Goose Island apart is its unique location – perched on a small island in a dam at Remhoogte Wine Estate, accessible only by a charming bridge.

“It is just next to our original restaurant and guests will be met the same as at the Remhoogte Tasting Room, where they will receive a welcoming glass of wine and then we will collect them and walk down to the venue to start their dining experience,” Shaun says.

And the name Goose Island? Before building the restaurant, Shaun used to sometimes meet with Chris and Rob Boustred of Remhoogte. “We would meet on the little island, and they would tell me how they played on it as youngsters, and they called it Goose Island because of the Egyptian geese that used to be around it from time to time. I thought it fitting that we should keep the name and call it VUUR Goose Island, symbolising a continuation of its story.”

Chris and Rob together run the Remhoogte Wine Estate (Chris is the winemaker and Rob is head of sales and marketing).

Heading the team at both VUUR and VUUR Goose Island is Shaun, with the support of Johnathan Veldhuizen and Mandre Campher. With a commitment to frequently changing seasonal menus, the emphasis remains on utilising only the best locally grown vegetables, fruit, fish, seafood, and meat – all prepared over an open flame.

VUUR Goose Island will open on 19 December, trading for lunch between Tuesday and Saturday. The experience begins at the Remhoogte Wine Estate Tasting Room, where guests are welcomed with a glass of wine before embarking on a short walk to the island venue. Bookings for VUUR Goose Island can be made online.

Images: Claire Gunn