Butcher Boys restaurant in Pietermaritzburg – A superb culinary experience in the capital of KZN

There are quite a number of upmarket eateries in Pietermaritzburg these days and as far as steakhouses go you aren’t likely to find anything more upmarket than Butcher Boys. Located in Armitage Road just opposite the Bird Sanctuary, Butcher Boys Restaurant is situated in close proximity to Pietermaritzburg’s affluent northern suburbs, no doubt the intended target market of this fine restaurant.

Curious as to what culinary experiences I could savour at this highly recommended eatery I decided to have supper at Butcher Boys recently and was most impressed with my findings. Specializing in prime cuts of well-aged grain fed South African beef and offering a selection of over 50 vintage wines stored in temperature controlled cellars, Butcher Boys has the perfect recipe for success.

Their big attraction is their in-house butchery with a display of meat cuts from which patrons may make their personal selection which is then prepared for them on an open grill. Yes, personal service is something that Butcher Boys pride themselves on and I was eager to put them to the test.

Shortly after entering the establishment my dinner companions and I were pleasantly greeted by Winnie, our waitress for the evening, who promptly directed us to our table. After being seated I began to take in my surroundings and soon began to unwind.

The beautiful décor at Butcher Boys is the perfect tonic for stressed nerves. Red face brick, deep mahogany finishes and a series of rich colours create a relaxed and warm ambiance that’s almost homely, and there’s even an option to sit outdoors where you’ll be entertained by the sounds of frogs and insects too numerous to mention.

After ordering our drinks we began to peruse through the extensive menu which contained a wide selection of starters, salads and main meal options (all main meals are served with a choice of chips, baked potato, rice, mustard mash, mielie pap or vegetables). I opted for the Butcher’s Pot Pie which on this particular evening came with a chicken filling.

Swathed in a rich, creamy sauce and encrusted in a delightfully thick and tasty pastry the Pot Pie was delicious. The portion was most generous, the presentation exquisite and the vegetables most flavoursome. At R70 the meal represented superb value for money and was way below the average main course price of R114.

Mary-Anne selected the Chicken Madeira (tender chicken breasts inter-layered with bacon and fresh avocado and topped with a spicy cream sauce) with vegetables as an option and was most impressed with her choice. “It was a lovely dish; all the ingredients complimented each other well and the veggies were crunchy and full of flavour. At R80 it was well worth it,” she remarked.

My mom opted for the Espatada (cubed beef fillets rolled in coarse salt and black pepper, interspersed with fresh bay leaves, char-grilled and topped with a choice of garlic, lemon and herb or peri-peri butter), which she thoroughly enjoyed. “The meat was tasty and tender, the veggies were great and I really loved the unusual presentation (the Espatada arrived on a large skewer),” she exclaimed.

Although the Espatada was by no means cheap at R105, it was still below the average main course price and as far as I was concerned was well worth the money. The portion was substantial and judging by my mom’s comments the quality of the dish, both in terms of taste and presentation, was of a high standard.

I really liked Butcher Boys. The food was great, the service prompt and efficient (Minnie’s product knowledge was excellent) and the lovely, calming ambience gave the restaurant a most alluring charm. We all agreed that we would definitely come back to re-live our fantastic experience which hopefully will be fairly soon.

Useful Links:

• Pietermaritzburg Attractions
• Things to Do Pietermaritzburg
• Hotels in Pietermaritzburg
• Hotel in KwaZulu-Natal
• KwaZulu-Natal Accommodation

Butcher Boys Restaurant Contact details:

Telephone: +27 (0)33 342-5700
Physical address: 9 Armitage Road, Pietermaritzburg (opposite the Bird Sanctuary) in KwaZulu Natal

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