Shakespeare’s Is The New Durbanville Restaurant With a Sense of Theatrics

A place for grown-ups to be spoilt with fine food, good wine and entertainment

Northern suburbs grown-ups rejoice: a treasure is about to enter the stage of Durbanville’s culinary scene. Shakespeares is brand new re-imagination of a 50-year-old establishment presented by Adri Engelbrecht, Merle Theunissen, Floris Smith and Daryll de Swardt.

Interiors include unique old furnishings and crockery brought in from all over the country. There’s a 404-year-old bible, printed a year before Shakespeare’s death, on display and a 90-year-old baby grand piano. 

THERE WILL BE NIGHTLY PERFORMANCES
“It was chance and opportunity that brought all of us together,” says Adri. “We had been frequenting this place for 30 years, and as the owner wanted to retire we decided to take it over to prevent it from closing.” That’s how Shakespeare’s, opening 9 October, was born.

It’s going to be a place of wit and fun where artists will perform nightly. “We are hoping to create a place for grown-ups to get away from the kids for good food and wine, entertainment and being spoilt. You’re welcome to bring your children, but they will be required to sit at the table and behave like mini grown-ups,” says Adri.

THERE’S THEATRICS ON THE MENU
There’s a serious chef at the helm: Floris Smith, who's worked at five-star Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat in the Cederberg for 12 years, as head chef at Hartfort House in Mooi River, and executive chef at Londolozi in the Sabi Sands game reserve, and Hotel Izulu in Ballito. 

He’s produced a suitably theatrical menu. Starters include Salmon Mi Cuit, soy-glazed pink salmon with wasabi and white chocolate crème brûlée, ginger gel and soya foam or Punjabi Prawns, seared tiger prawns with corn relish, corn bavarois, coriander sponge and coconut cream (starters: R85–R115). 

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE FOR MAINS
Mains range from “Some men there are love not a gaping pig”, made of confit pork belly, mustard potato purée, pea and Parmesan crumble and oriental dressing, to Duo of Guinea Fowl with ricotta mousse, Parma ham, wilted spinach, chardonnay creamed field mushrooms with a date and sherry jus which is a feast on the palate (mains: R160–R225).

AND HAMLET FOR DESSERT
The desserts include To Eat or Not to Eat dark chocolate crémeux, berries and salted caramel ice cream, or Shakespeare’s Ice Cream Play which comes with a side of theatre, drama and mystery described as “you write the script” (desserts: R45–110). 

SHAKESPEARE'S RESTAURANT DURBANVILLE
Address: Shop 9ab Heritage Square, Vrede Street, Durbanville
Contact: info@shakespeares.co.za, +27(0)21 569 0244, WhatsApp bookings: +27(0)21 569 0244; website
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 11:15am–11pm; Sunday 12 noon – 3pm

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