Pirates Steakhouse and Pub on Main Road in Plumstead, Cape Town is very well known to me. I have spent many happy times there. To be honest, mostly at the bar at ungodly hours. In fact it was only fairly recently that I discovered they have a restaurant too. Ah, it all made sense. I wondered where those doors went to! Friends in the know started telling me that their food is amazing and the steaks are legendary. Most of these friends pointed out that one of the things they love the most about the restaurant is the fact that it is open until 04h00. Well, a good steak is at the top of my ‘favourite things’ list and I have a healthy appetite at any hour of the day, so I had to investigate.
We arrived at close to 22h00, which is pretty late by dinner standards, but not quite as late as 04h00! The bar area was in full swing, but we went straight through the swing doors into the cosy restaurant. We were shown to our table by the friendly staff and within seconds drinks were served. We had dinner music too – Amelia was the entertainment that evening and she did great covers of many well classics from Creedence Clearwater Revival to Tina Turner. One couple enjoyed it so much that they had a dinner dance after their meal. Amelia is just one of the members of the entertainment crew, they have someone to entertain you with classics every night of the week. You’ll also find a DJ in the bar spinning popular rock and pop music from Monday to Sunday.
Back to the food. For starters we had the prawn cocktail and Camembert on toast. All delicious and with the generous portion sizes could easily have passed as a main dish. I was actually quite full, but there was no way I was leaving without trying a steak. We ordered Blackbeard’s rump (recommended by a friend) and a Pepper Melt Rump. These came served with an ample portion of chips and we ordered a side dish of onion rings. Medium steaks are rarely cooked (excuse the pun) to perfection, but these were pretty darn close. Our knives slid straight through their pink centres and they were juicy to the taste. Much to his surprise, my friend actually finished the large rump of Blackbeard with its bacon, cheddar and black mushroom sauce. It tasted so good that before he knew it, the rump had gone to his hips. I saved some of my equally tasty rump for my hips the next day. We washed our feast down with a Jagermeister (it is a digestive after all!) and then headed off to the bar where we stayed until the wee hours. I had to resist the temptation to go back through the swing doors at 03h30. Next time … because I know there will be one.
Grub n’ grog
The menu is extensive, incorporating starters, steaks, seafood, chicken dishes, burgers, dessert and vegetarian options. They also offer a kids’ menu, pub grub and a cocktail menu. Prices are extremely reasonable and portions are generous. Steaks are served with a creamy sauce and chips and range from R90 to R125, burgers from R40 and 18 baby prawns pan-fried in garlic butter, served with Thai sweet chilli will set you back R100. The bar has Black Label draught and Castle draught on tap and the fridges are well stocked.
Pub Quiz night
If you enjoy testing your general knowledge, grab some mates (teams of six to eight) and join in the fun on the first Monday of every month at 19h30. It’s popular, so you need to book. Phone Irene on 021-797-5659.
Pirates Dining Club
If you love a good steak and happy hour at the bar (like me), then you should consider joining the Pirates Dining Club. Membership will set you back R40 for the first year (less than a burger) and R25 per year thereafter (less than a box of cigarettes). As a Privateer you are entitled to monthly specials in the restaurant, your very own happy hours at the bar and they even give you a birthday present – a R75 voucher to use in the restaurant on the day of your birthday. Sounds good to me and my birthday is in September. Guess who will be having her birthday dinner with her mateys at Pirates!
Grab an application form, hand it in with your initial membership fee of R40.00 to your waitress, hostess or bartender. Alternatively, visit their website and fill out the application form online.
Functions
If you are looking for a function venue or want to have a pirate birthday party, then join this ship. The restaurant can seat up to 140 people and there are set menus available. The function room and bar can hold up to 50 people and snack platters can be arranged at R50 per head.
Designated driver initiative
A designated driver on entry to Pirates may request a banded wristband that entitles them to a free Coca Cola for every hour of them being responsibly behaved. Another innovative idea from this establishment . Cabs On Call are also outside and the bouncers will ensure you get into one if they think you shouldn’t be driving.
Need to know
Find Pirates Steakhouse and Pub: 160 Main Road, Plumstead, Cape Town
Opening times: Open daily from 10h00 to 04h00
Tel 021-797-5659
www.piratessteakhouse.co.za
Pirates Steakhouse and Pub’s slogan reads ‘Good Food. Good Prices. Good Vibes.’ Considering what a swashbuckling good time I always have there, I couldn’t agree more. Cheers!
Be responsible – don’t drink and drive.
