ONE of Johannesburg's renowned dining places, which disappeared off the face of Jozi's gastronomic hub of Melville more than a decade ago, has resurfaced again.
Chaplin's Grill reopened its doors in the northern Johannesburg suburb of Hurlingham recently - with no grand parade but with dignified aplomb.
Rainold Petersen, owner of Chaplin's Grill Restaurant, preferred a low-key buzz for the opening, with a tasting of a formidable line-up of wines from Nitida, Nederburg, Raka and Saronberg.
Just as in the 1980s and 1990s, when Chaplin's regularly attracted a coterie of diners through its fine dining, its new Sandton address exudes no less of a character with its serene ambience.
An obvious fan of legendary comic actor Charlie Chaplin, Rainold named his eatery after his favourite movie star. Regaling guests with regular wall screenings of black-and-white film footage of the comedian is part of the stock in trade.
Thankfully, Chaplin's silent movies are hardly obtrusive and serve only to fill the room with a lively dose of bonhomie.
Rainold changed The Local Grill to Chaplin's Grill in January this year - and rekindled old memories.
For good measure, the nostalgic bug had bitten Rainold, prompting him to take a step back in time. Never one to leave his guests solely in the hands of his staff, he is as hands-on as he is a stickler for first-class service.
A blast from the past that will greet old-time Chaplin diners are the signature dishes that include prawn curry and rabbit and duck. Of course, the steaks, for which Local Grill was renowned, are still part of the menu.
A couple should expect to fork out R400 upwards for a three-course meal which includes mouthwatering pecan nut pie or a selection of local cheeses.
Starters include a selection of smoked salmon, fresh oysters, venison wors and grilled baby calamari, as well chicken liver stack with potato chips.
A wash-down is available from the extensive wine list, which is a testament to Rainold's trained palate.
If you have a preference for dining against the backdrop of booming house music, trunked up by an in-house DJ, this is not the place to be.
Chaplin's displays a quiet charm that naturally prompts a conversation just above a whisper at the table.
WINE EVENTS
lMore than 20 Stellenbosch wine cellars will take part in an all-day tasting at Delvera agri-village in Greater Simonsberg, in what is billed as the Market Day on March 11.
There will be food and crafts stalls offering an array of local produce. Members of the public will also have the opportunity to take part in harvest activities under the supervision of winemakers.
The Stellenbosch jazz band, Manouche, will entertain the crowd. Entry is free.
l Eikendal Estate celebrates 31 years of quality winemaking with its popular Weintaufe Harvest Celebration on Sunday.
The estate is situated on the R44, midway between Stellenbosch and Somerset West. Eikendal is known for its Chardonnay and red wines.
As part of the day's activities, which include fly fishing and enjoying wine and food, visitors will taste the cellar's first wine of the 2012 harvest - a Chardonnay - straight from the barrel.
Entry fee is R60 a person and includes a complimentary glass and barrel tasting.
* Public tastings of the country's best organically grown red and white wines from the 2011 Nedbank Green Wine Awards are lined up for Johannesburg and Cape Town end of the month.
Wines to be tasted include Reyneke Chenin Blanc 2011, Waverley Hills Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2010 and Laibach Ladybird Red 2010.
Top bio-dynamic producer Johan Reyneke of Reyneke Wines will conduct the tasting. Tickets cost R150 a person.
The Cape Town event will take place at Mount Nelson Hotel on March 28 and the Johannesburg one will be at Sandton Sun Hotel on March 29.
To book call 086-010-0203.
Chaplin's Grill: A blast from the past
ONE of Johannesburg's renowned dining places, which disappeared off the face of Jozi's gastronomic hub of Melville more than a decade ago, has resurfaced again.
Chaplin's Grill reopened its doors in the northern Johannesburg suburb of Hurlingham recently - with no grand parade but with dignified aplomb.
Rainold Petersen, owner of Chaplin's Grill Restaurant, preferred a low-key buzz for the opening, with a tasting of a formidable line-up of wines from Nitida, Nederburg, Raka and Saronberg.
Just as in the 1980s and 1990s, when Chaplin's regularly attracted a coterie of diners through its fine dining, its new Sandton address exudes no less of a character with its serene ambience.
An obvious fan of legendary comic actor Charlie Chaplin, Rainold named his eatery after his favourite movie star. Regaling guests with regular wall screenings of black-and-white film footage of the comedian is part of the stock in trade.
Thankfully, Chaplin's silent movies are hardly obtrusive and serve only to fill the room with a lively dose of bonhomie.
Rainold changed The Local Grill to Chaplin's Grill in January this year - and rekindled old memories.
For good measure, the nostalgic bug had bitten Rainold, prompting him to take a step back in time. Never one to leave his guests solely in the hands of his staff, he is as hands-on as he is a stickler for first-class service.
A blast from the past that will greet old-time Chaplin diners are the signature dishes that include prawn curry and rabbit and duck. Of course, the steaks, for which Local Grill was renowned, are still part of the menu.
A couple should expect to fork out R400 upwards for a three-course meal which includes mouthwatering pecan nut pie or a selection of local cheeses.
Starters include a selection of smoked salmon, fresh oysters, venison wors and grilled baby calamari, as well chicken liver stack with potato chips.
A wash-down is available from the extensive wine list, which is a testament to Rainold's trained palate.
If you have a preference for dining against the backdrop of booming house music, trunked up by an in-house DJ, this is not the place to be.
Chaplin's displays a quiet charm that naturally prompts a conversation just above a whisper at the table.
WINE EVENTS
lMore than 20 Stellenbosch wine cellars will take part in an all-day tasting at Delvera agri-village in Greater Simonsberg, in what is billed as the Market Day on March 11.
There will be food and crafts stalls offering an array of local produce. Members of the public will also have the opportunity to take part in harvest activities under the supervision of winemakers.
The Stellenbosch jazz band, Manouche, will entertain the crowd. Entry is free.
l Eikendal Estate celebrates 31 years of quality winemaking with its popular Weintaufe Harvest Celebration on Sunday.
The estate is situated on the R44, midway between Stellenbosch and Somerset West. Eikendal is known for its Chardonnay and red wines.
As part of the day's activities, which include fly fishing and enjoying wine and food, visitors will taste the cellar's first wine of the 2012 harvest - a Chardonnay - straight from the barrel.
Entry fee is R60 a person and includes a complimentary glass and barrel tasting.
* Public tastings of the country's best organically grown red and white wines from the 2011 Nedbank Green Wine Awards are lined up for Johannesburg and Cape Town end of the month.
Wines to be tasted include Reyneke Chenin Blanc 2011, Waverley Hills Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2010 and Laibach Ladybird Red 2010.
Top bio-dynamic producer Johan Reyneke of Reyneke Wines will conduct the tasting. Tickets cost R150 a person.
The Cape Town event will take place at Mount Nelson Hotel on March 28 and the Johannesburg one will be at Sandton Sun Hotel on March 29.
To book call 086-010-0203.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos