Conceptualised during the pandemic lockdowns, Moonshine Menlyn has opened at Time Square in Pretoria offering an authentic, New York-style restaurant and bar.
The luxuriously appointed establishment is located in a prime position overlooking the action at Time Square and the SunBet Arena and is sure to become the dinner and drinks choice of many before they head to a show or to the casino. With live entertainment from Friday to Sunday including a DJ spinning tunes, it promises to also be a premier venue for those living in Jacaranda City.
The menu promises to be ever-changing to keep customers coming back and includes executive chef Wessel van Jaarsveld’s “low and slow” matured sourdough thin crust pizza, cooked in the wood-fired pizza ovens. “Our margherita pizza is our signature – with a good base and a good sauce and creamy mozzarella cheese, it is as authentic as possible and you cannot go wrong,” said the chef, who grew up 800m from where the restaurant stands and has returned to South Africa after the pandemic bringing his talents refined during many years running the pass of fine dining restaurants.
Other options include small plate dishes such as Mac ‘n cheese fritters, Jalapeño cigars and tacos, sandwiches and burgers. Seafood options include hake ‘n chips, calamari and sole, served with coleslaw and a choice of fries or ‘dirty rice’, fried with mushrooms, sweetcorn, and onions.
“Our grills – Nashville baby chicken, rib eye, rump, ribs and more – are expertly cooked over an open flame, either smoky BBQ basted or my signature dry-rub,” said Van Jaarsveld. The chef is most excited about the offering of American brisket, smoked for 12 hours in what he describes as “classic Texas style”. Sweet endings include key lime pie, New York baked cheesecake, maple butter and bourbon pecan nut tart and a warm chocolate brownie with popcorn ice-cream.
“Moonshine is going to be the place to be before a show,” said Time Square General Manager Reuben Gooranah. “I think everyone will agree that the re-purposing of what was previously a kiddies play area is a great success, and Moonshine will offer a great view of the precinct during the summer when people can enjoy sitting outside. Time Square looks forward to a great partnership with Moonshine and making it a big success.”
Experienced restaurateur Estiaan Joubert is behind Moonshine, which he owns along with several other popular Pretoria establishments. “In keeping with our name, a six-week aged moonshine, the high-proof liquor mainly produced during American’s prohibition period, created and sold illegally by bootleggers, will be available from our bar,” Joubert said. The restaurant also has a focus on attention-grabbing cocktails which are visually beautiful, and a thoughtfully compiled wine list.
Moonshine Menlyn, a 230-seater restaurant, is open seven days a week from 11am until late.
