“Welcome to Casa de Loco!” – welcome to the crazy house. That was the writing on the wall at the recent opening of Grahamstown’s very first tapas bar – literally.
“Welcome to Casa de Loco!” – welcome to the crazy house. That was the writing on the wall at the recent opening of Grahamstown’s very first tapas bar – literally.
Around 70 guests weaved around the dining room that’s been painted a warm orange since the building housed Grub and Grog, and Maxwells Restaurant before that.
Patron, champagne and delectable, freshly made tapas circled the room on platters that didn’t take long to be emptied.
One guest, events organiser at Haricot’s Deli and Bistro Denese Palm, had only praise for the food. “The corn, chicken and chilli fritters were exquisite and it’s a treat to drink proper French champagne!” she said. A tapas restaurant in Grahamstown is long overdue, she added.
So what exactly are tapas? These food items were originally Spanish appetizers that can be a range of food and flavour combinations from being cold and savoury to warm and sweet.
Casa de Loco restaurateurs Jessica Sturrock and Guy Nahman described their tapas as fresh, healthy food that isn’t greasy – and certainly not boring. For example their nachos are made entirely from scratch, Sturrock said.
And as for why the couple chose this somewhat crazy name for their venue, they said that it was for a number of reasons.
First, they’ve moved into the first floor of the historic building on the corner of High and Somerset Streets and they believe that between their home upstairs and the restaurant downstairs things are going to get crazy. “And we’re crazy for doing this!” Sturrock quipped.
They also feel the name allows them free reign with décor and menu options. At the moment the menu isn’t extensive, but Nahman said they prefer to keep it specialised and small. Food lovers can expect to see specials boards with new items though.
Nahman was previously the executive chef at Kwandwe game reserve and Sturrock was front of house at the Cock House.
Casa de Loco has something to appeal to all kinds of Grahamstonians, Sturrock and Nahman said, and they plan to open a beer garden where Cafe Blanca used to be in March next year.
