Marion Smith
22-Feb-2012
Have been there twice, first time with a ladies group in the evening, some of whom took their own wine and paid corkage. We were even charged corkage on the non-alcoholic sparkling juice for the designated driver. Fish and Chips was awful, small and grey, the mushy peas were just squased peas with some vinegar (if you can't make it, don't put it on the menu. Walled garden is really an alleyway for deliveries.) Chicken dish was not cooked through. In all 6 meals, no-one was impressed. It's still busy with locals but that will wear off if they don't buck up.
Gillian Key
16-Jan-2012
Great decor, food and service. What a welcome to the southern suburbs. A definite regular venue for us.
Belinda Smith
14-Jan-2012
Maybe it was the mile-long bar. Or the lanterns on tables outside. It could have been the Zanzibar doors, the chandeliers, the high ceilings and wooden flooring. The impeccable service, the tinkle of laughter over music and clinking cutlery, candlelight on glasses of wine...
Something in the atmosphere (or my glass of Iona) has me hooked on the Brasserie.
I could speak about our lovely waiter, Rory. The kid is damn-near psychic. Before the thought had even formulated properly in my head, Rory appeared from out of thin air to top me up, remove my plate and bring me olives. Even The Boss, an ex-waitron and impossible to please, nodded in approval. Give it a month or two and people will be asking for him by name.
I could go on about the seasonal, sustainable and downright gorgeous food; chicken parfait like butter, plump mussels in apples and cider with give-me-more frites, and the aptly-named Chocolate Nemesis (it won...again).
I could gush about the fact that Societi has love for the little guys - you won't find SAB behind the bar, but do yourself a favour and order a Darling Brew Bone Crusher instead. You'll also find massive support for local, artisanal produce - a Cape Mountain carcuterie plate, or your neighbour's home-grown salad greens (oh yes, they will buy your backyard veggies from you).
I could talk about all of these things. But I'm not going to. I'm going to urge you to meander on down to the Brasserie yourself, order a locally produced beer, and snack on their citrus olives while you attempt to not order everything you see on the menu.
And when you leave sometime later, a little punch-drunk and a lot full, you'll thank me.
Renee
14-Jan-2012
Felt very unwelcome. Terrible customer service.
Nicky Schmidt
11-Jan-2012
Societi Brasserie opened its door in November 2011 and has been packed since opening. Booking is essential. The restaurant, part of the Societi chain, has a great vibe, and wonderful food. It is a very welcome addition to the Tokai/Constantia scene - a perfect local bistro. The service was warm, friendly, though perhaps a little slow on occasion, but I suspect the staff were simply overwhelmed by the volume of patrons - clientelle without bookings were being turned away.
The food is bistro/brasserie style and really tasty with classics like steak tartare, moules et frites and steak au poivre. Flavours play to the taste of north Africa, South Africa and France. Great ambience with an open kitchen, raw brick walls and elegant tables and chairs. For a neighbourhood restaurant, Societi Brasserie is more than ticking all the right boxes. I look forward to a return visit.
Lauren Foulds-Vallee
28-Dec-2011
In this corner of the leafy southern suburbs, we have more than our share of top-in-the-country fine dining restaurants - Uitsig, La Colombe, Catharinas, the list goes on. These fantastic restaurants are wonderful twice a year (i.e. my birthday and our anniversary) but certainly aren't affordable for most of us all the time. There are some other restaurants which are brilliant but for those of us that enjoy dining out, there just aren't enough lovely locals in Tokai and Constantia. So as you can imagine the anticipation of the opening of Societi in Tokai! Needless to say it has been packed almost every night since its opening... and for good reason. The menu is perfectly balanced... small plates of tapas should you want a light bite - saucisson sec, duck scotch egg and breaded mozzarella. The starters and salads are tempting - the French Onion Soup is divine as is the Mushroom Brioche, and for those that love the classics, the Caesar Salad is excellent. Mains include beautiful risottos (the pea, ricotta and mint is stunning), pastas, plenty of meat dishes (including a superb steak bearnaise), as well as fish (the Jack Black Battered Hake is lovely). Overall, ideal brasserie fare! Desserts aren't a disappointment either, just a few simple choices to suit everyone. The wine list offers a great range from absolute affordability to special night choices and everything in between. Overall, a very special little spot - warm, cosy and festive.
