"The best burger I've ever tasted" - verdict from two hungry 13 year olds.
Lyndall Maunder, who has just opened Clarke’s Bar and Dining Room on Bree Street, has quite a track record.
She trained with David Higgs in Meerendal, and subsequently worked with George Jardine when Jardine’s was open on Bree Street. In between opening Clarke’s she has done some private cheffing and has more recently worked at Superette in Woodstock.
The bar.
The menu at Clarke’s is a bit minimalist at the moment, although I am sure it will fill out in the coming weeks and months.
Suffice to say that the meat for the burgers is from Bill Riley and the bread from Trevor Daly. That alone should tell the most fastidious of foodies that Lyndall is particular about her sources and the quality of her food.
I had two thirteen year olds with me, and we all ordered the cheeseburger and chips.
“The best I’ve ever tasted!” they both declared with gusto. And the chips were good too, golden and crispy, having been par cooked first.
A window onto the street.
Apparently Riley meats makes up a special mince which delivers big time on flavour (it did). The secret is in the fat content.
Clarke’s also do sandwiches (their Reuben contains brisket meat) and looks a classic.
The breakfast menu has Huevos Rancheros on it as well as the “Fry-up Beast”….. hmmmm.
I’ll be back as soon as I can, that burger was memorable.
Their bar will be open until 2am in the mornings. yes that’s right, 2am in the mornings.
Clarke’s Bar and Dining Room
133 Bree Street
021 424 7648
info@manfood.co.za
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Thanks Clare! Am forever in search of a memorable burger and chips. Can’t wait to try Clarke’s – the bonus is the bar!
I have been three times in the last week. The first time was great, and the cheeseburger was indeed delicious.
The second time, at 6:30pm, they had run out of ingredients and decided to close up shop!!!
The third time, at 11:30pm last Friday evening, anticipating a nice drink, it was closed also.!!
Is it me, or is this a bit Capetonian?
Hi Charl,
You’re right, it is a bit Capetonian, something I like to attribute to low self esteem – we had no idea we’d be so popular so fast! We’ve really been overwhelmed and as a result have found it difficult to find our groove, not even our baker can keep up with the demand, he drives our bread through to us everyday from Worcester and his oven can’t handle all the baking, the poor bastard has barely slept. Which goes for us too. We’re doing our best and what with the rest of the Capetonians being such Capetonians, especially at this time of year… Man, I’ve gotta tell you its been tough. But damnit we’re going to keep busting our balls and hope to get better with every passing day.
Having said that we have been staying open to serve drinks and fries on the nights when we’ve run out of food so I’m surprised you found us closed on those occasions, we were running, just with a really lame food selection.
Dear Lyndall,
Please keep busting balls, being popular, making great burgers and keeping the poor bastard baker awake.
For my part, I’ll keep haunting your doorstep, enjoying the fries, munching the cheeseburgers and generally looking forward to the night I am thrown out at 2am.
I had no idea being Capetonian had a connection with low self esteem – I mean, that mountain and all that…..low self esteem and Capetonians – hardly!!!??
I am from Groot Marico, so I know about esteem. Ahem…. clearing throat sound.
I had the most delicious breakfast here yesterday.
So many totally different options ,such a welcome change to the usual breakfast menu
. My husband had the hash brown with haddock and I the muffin with pork and fennel sausage , fantastic! I cannot wait to go back. Thanks Clarks .
Muffin with pork and fennel sausage? I’m on the way now, right now…..
I love Clarke’s and couldn’t wait to take a big group of my girls there as our first supper club venue for 2012. but they don’t take bookings! Can’t drag 10 ladies somewhere and make them stand at the bar so now I have to hunt for another place to feed us. How sad:(
Oh don’t be a wuss Caroline!! Standing at the bar is half the fun. Besides, they’ll make space for you if you drop in first and have a quiet word with The Guv.
The contact number above is wrong. I sourced the number from here to call and see if they were open Saturday nights (they’re not) and eventually found the right contact number on the Clarke’s website (021)424 7648 not 422
Thanks for that Jade, I have amended the entry accordingly.
Had breakfast at Clarke’s on Saturday morning with good friends. Great menu, great quality and a lively buzz about the place. I wish Lyndell the very best of luck with her new restaurant, it is certainly a favourite for me!
We’re going this weekend and I’ll report back, but just wanted to say in advance that the reply from Lyndall above is a rare example of a restaurateur addressing a complaint honestly and in good faith. Well done! It bodes well for our night there on Saturday…
Good on ya Marc. How did you get on??