SHAKA ZULU LAUNCHES THE MEAT BAR
Written by Soula // September 27, 2012 // FOOD AND DRINK, Restaurants
We are all used to asking friends if they eat meat but what if one were to ask if they drink it ? Well now we can thanks to London’s largest South African venue “Shaka Zulu”.The statuesque, spacious restaurant and bar, ornate with hand carved murals and towering Zulu warriors makes for an escapist night out of London. Now they have taken their carnivorous menu to a whole new dimension with a new concept on cocktails and are soon to be opening THE MEAT BAR.
Here you will now be able to taste your main course inside your glass with their fun yet slightly alarming take on the traditional aperitif.
Enjoy a glass of brunch and try a “BLOODY BACON”, made with a 24 hour aged tomato mix infused with bacon vodka and finished with a streaky decoration of crispy bacon and celery.
Or perhaps have a little more sophistication with a smoked salmon and dill martini. Presented in what resembles an iced mini fish tank, accompanied by the classic olives and cheese stuffed peppers you have the fancy ”WHEELING SALMON”.
If you are feeling strong enough hit the latino “MEATIQUITO”, a sausagey infused tequila reposado Gazpacho. Carefully thought out by the mixologists,this one is a fine reduced jus with hints of port and balsamic, served straight up with a billtong straw and chorizo for dipping. And If you really want to grab the bull by the horns, you can accompany the experience with an array of fishy and meaty platters created to complement your fluid dinner.
Us meat lovers must all accept the various processes of attaining those delicate cuts so I bravely discovered their curious techniques on achieving such pungent flavours.The process is called fat washing . The only way I could describe such a curious passtime is to marry it to techniques of that of a fine chef creating a very good stock.Reducing the juices and skimming the fat off the top of the cooking pot.
At least we know that these concoctions are easy on the fat content but my tastebuds were saturated by such richness. I was strangely left feeling rather full as though I had had a meal and felt an urge to clean my pallet shortly after. I would say it was certainly a very unique way to drink but all the same I do prefer my main course in solid form and served on a plate. Certainly a very robust example of bringing the stiff into the drink and yes you need to be feeling very strong, however I will certainly be recommending the experience to colleagues and friends as an alternative way of dinning.
To find out more about the Meat Cocktails or table reservations visit;
