A brand new restaurant and concept store will be unveiled to the public this weekend, adding to the Silo District’s infinite appeal. Food24 was invited to a sneak preview of The Yard, which takes its name from the maritime surroundings of dockyards.
The large, open-plan space has its majority dedicated to an exposed kitchen, round booth seating and a long marble bar counter, which cleverly adds a bit of privacy for the goings-on in the kitchen. On the other side of The Yard, a smaller but still generous space is dedicated to retail, with local homeware and accessories, and Silo souvenirs on sale, as well as a deli fridge and an independently run Rosetta Roastery Coffee counter, sure to please many coffee enthusiasts operating nearby. All of this sits below the luxury Virgin Active, with the building’s concrete structure and piping on full display, to keep with The Yard’s industrial, unrefined theme. This is softened by glossy counter tops, rich wood Herringbone flooring, and sleek black seats, giving the space a minimal touch of elegance.
The concept and design bring to life a very progressive take on hospitality, which sees a diversification of space with multiple offerings and uses. The dynamic nature of The Yard is something co-founder Abigail Bisogno is no stranger to, her brother owner of Fairview wines and partner of the multi-offering Winelands destination, The Spice Route. Abigail is responsible for the bespoke designer store at the farm, The Trading Company. This time she teams up with old friend and restauranteur GP Singh, who conceptualized the restaurant section of The Yard, with Abigail bringing her expertise and background in the fashion industry. It’s a slice of the Spice Route in the city, right next to Cape Town’s now landmark, Zeitz MOCAA.
Keeping with Singh’s Punjabi heritage, spices and Indian cooking methods are a prominent feature of the menu. The aim was to create a menu that fuses Asian, Indian, and European flavours, drawing on both owners’ culinary tastes, and creating a totally fresh, unique dining experience. The food is vibrant and versatile with dishes that enable sharing or dining for one. The menu also finds a balance between fine-dining and casual dining making The Yard suitable for various dining occasions. This will include a daily buffet or harvest table adding convenience for local office-workers.
The Yard is set to open this Friday 6 October with daily operating hours between 7:30 am and 10:30 pm. See their contact details here.