South African braai (barbecue) restaurant Hammer & Tongs on Farringdon Road is opening a new wine bar, The Protea Wine Bar, on May 1st. It is hidden beneath the existing restaurant. We reviewed the Hammer & Tongs restaurant in April 2017 – See: Indoor braai in Farringdon
Named after South Africa’s National flower, the wine list at The Protea Wine Bar is proudly 100% South African, a first for London, if not the UK. Get to know the wide range of exceptional South African wines!
The wine menu will take you on a journey through the wine regions of the rainbow nation; Stellenbosch, Swartland, Robertson, Constantia, Elgin, Hemel en Aarde, Overberg and more. The playful menu has been designed to make any novice feel confident about their choice, and with friendly & knowledgeable staff behind the bar you’ll never be short of recommendations. Experience the savoury complexity of a South African Cabernet Sauvignon, discover a juicy Pinotage, South Africa’s very own grape variety or whet your whistle with an iconic Chenin Blanc. Can’t decide which wine to quaff or guzzle, take a trip on a wine flight!
Owner Etienne wants everyone to experience the incredible varieties and quality of wine that South Africa is producing. Born in the Karoo in the Eastern Cape, Etienne who is also the owner and creative behind Hammer & Tongs, is incredibly passionate about his country’s wine, best of all “for every braai, there’s a wine” he says.
Feeling a little peckish after all that swirling and sloshing? The Grazing Board available to order from the bar is created to complement your wines and drinking experience. Settle in with a sweet fig conserve, homemade biltong (air dried beef, a firm South African favourite), a changing selection of fine cheeses, pig cheese (aka brawn), gourmet crackers and pot bread served with South African Olive Oil.
Not enough for you, head upstairs the ‘temple of meat’ (GQ) for a proper wood fired braai!
The wine bar is cosy, comfortable and filled with evocative bouquets of beautiful Protea flowers. The Protea Wine Bar is perfect for pre and post dinner drinks!
Can’t resist the smell of the wood fired braai grilling steaks? Head upstairs for a proper South African braai dining experience in the comfort of Hammer & Tongs.
Hammer & Tongs and the new Protea Wine Bar are at 171 Farringdon Road, London, EC1R 3AL. Tel: 020 3774 2884, Web: www.hammertongs.co.uk.
Discounts are available for Barbican Association members – see http://helenh4.sg-host.com/resources/discount-scheme/ for details
Bookings recommended, walk-ins accepted.
Opening times Tue 17:30 – 22:30 Wednesday 17:30 – 22:30 Thursday 17:30 – 12:00 Friday 17:30 – 12:00 Saturday 12:00 – 12:00 Sunday 12:00 – 16:00
