Braai South African Bar & Grill

Thursday the 21st I called up and said 'Kan ek n tafel vir twee he vanaand sewe uur' which is very basic afrikaans for 'Can I have a table for ... more

I love this place. I can't believe what Bob001 said. Seriously, how old do you have to be to write a review on here? He must have been delirious from seeing cleavage for the first time. I don't even know how that enters into a food review. I've never had to wait, but I sit at the bar generally and get plenty of attention from all the friendly servers there. Maybe it's because you get back what you give out. Drinks are fabulous. The cucumber sensation is out of this world (may or may not be on the menu), but I've had a little bit of everything and it's all good - especially the specialty drinks. All the food is great - I've had the prawns, fish and chips, lamb burgers, ostrich - and it is all amazing. Usually perfectly cooked and in a timely manner and so yummy. I've heard the Ostrich Eggs Benedict is to die for, but have yet to make it into brunch, but hopefully soon. If you want a great South African experience with nice people and great food, go to Braai!! (but don't bring Bob - he'll ruin it for everyone.) Pros: Food, Service, Ambience, People Cons: Leaving more

Thanks for a great party. Bartender was lovely, food was delicious and as my wife is South African i guess she will drag me back for some BILTONG !!! Pros: Amarula Cream Liquer Cons: Too far from my office more

I went to Braii ,solo for what was meant to be a quick bite to eat.\r The bartender was very friendly, introduced herself and then introduced me to the other bar customers. I felt like they all went outof their way to make me feel welcome and at home. I ended up staying for wine and drinks and having a great time. She made me a martini called the Durban tea. It was spicy, sweet and oh sooooo good!! I plan to go back and work my way through the drink list (it was made by famous mixologist Juan Corranado)\r All in all-cool atmosphere, great staff great food/drinks!!! Pros: cool atmosphere/impressive drink list more

Great service and for once extremely on point south African food. Incredible wine list. Great for a group or date! Loved it --will go back soon. Pros: tasty south african food Cons: $$$ more

As a South-African living in New York for a while, of course I had to check this place. The way the dishes were prepared really made me feel at home. These people know how to make a proper steak. South African style. Keep up the good work people. \r PS the wine list is excellent. Pros: authenticty more

Thats wierd bob001,I went on tuesday and had a nice time. Saw lots of georgeous people but, wish i would have seen more cleavage! I had the complete opposite experience. But i guess if your a miserable person you'll go around and be unhappy anywhere you go! I sat at the bar, waited for my date and had dinner. Yeah its a little pricey but its 4 star cuisine in hells kitchen, its not over priced, The food had a lot of integrity; very unique. Who has the time to come online and write a bad review? I came to say it was delightful and am really surprised that people are still so into badmouthing...i don't have the time for that...buti do have time for brunch, the bartender said ther eis a DJ.....maybe you should try yoga bob0011 chillax...and everyone else try Braai -zen for me! Pros: passionfruit margarita happy hour at the bar Cons: that other people wrote bad things about it! more

inappropriate So, we sit at the bar waiting for a table, on the other end of the bar sits Ms. gorgeous, man havering over her talking to the Bartender.. whats wrong about this pic? Nothing right? And so I need to tell you I made reservation for me and my wife, we arrived at the designated time, and were told our table would be ready in ten min time. Gladly, we sat at the bar, waiting for our table, ordered some drinks and waited... 15 min.. 25 min... 40 min.. nothing! after three quarters of and hour we tried to get the Bartenders attention, but in vain. (Too busy with Ms. gorgeous) After 50 min!! We were finally placed at a table. The server, Super charming guy, took our drink and food order with much efficiency. Drinks were on the table after two min. kept replenishing us with water. The food however was a different story. It took them another 40 min with the food, I now have an idea what an average rubber tire tastes like, lets just say that the venison is by far not the best thing on the menu. chicken boboti, nicely spiced, an overall okay dish, and the fish and chips, were all over priced. The grand finale' happens when I asked to see a manager, so I can tell him/her about the beautiful course of our dinning experience. Remember Ms. gorgeous? she walks over to the table. when she gets closer the only appealing thing about her is her looks. With Alcohol in her breath she explains of their faults of the day.. During the entire time, though, she was well aware of our dreadful experience but did nothing!! (How can I blame her?? she was having fun drinking!! at work!!) We tipped the poor server 20 percent (after all it was not his fault). The manager though, different story. Bottom line, Braai South African grill, poor management, poor management, poor management! (GREAT CLEAVAGES THOUGH:) Pros: Nice Decor, Super nice cleavage!! Cons: Worse service ever, Over priced, and so much more more

I have never experience an establishment so willing to correct a mistake! In a group of 12 one person's meal came out wrong twice...in response the meal was correct and comp'ed, our group received free round of shorts, free dessert and coupons for Braai's wine bar.\r \r The food was amazing and I would absolutely go to Braai again. Pros: Amazing french toast and customer service Cons: Porridge more

Braai offers an exotic oasis to the typical New Yorker seeking a unique, fulfilling experience whether with friends, or on a date. The food and the wine are quite authentic, and the staff is adept in guiding you through what one might not otherwise be familiar. The wine, I might add is a perfect depiction of some of the best, most sought after properties South Africa has to offer! The few times I have had the pleasure of dining there since they opened, it has brought out intellectual conversation of our Globe amongst friends, while focusing on the positive. as the wine and food of South Africa are a perfect testament to that progress. Kudos to the passion behind this wonderful bungalow! It makes me want to dance around the BBQ (Braai) in Cape Town, pondering the Indian and Atlantic Ocean meeting at my feet; where the warmth comingles with the cool, exactly what we do in most establishments in NY, while looking for that perfect mix of energy to explode before our very eyes. You will find this perfect melange here at Braai... I can' wait to go back! Pros: Atmosphere, people, and wine Cons: There are no cons... more

Still quite new .... I loved their Cocktails. \r My wife is from South Africa and says the Cuisine is very authentic \r and suggests they add her famous ""Chakalaka"" to the Menu.\r We're coming back for my Birthday ! more

We went to Braai soon after it opened - took visiting South African house guests with us to share the experience. We were seated promptly, the decor is beautifully done - made me feel like I was inside a large thatched bungalo - the African (Ndebele) artwork was very tastefully done and true to the African experience (we lived there for over 40 years). We ordered from the wonderful selection on the menu and did not have an unduly long wait for our food - and what a fantastic culinary experience it was! We all tried something different from the menu - the presentation was terrific, each tasted delicious - the wine complimented our meal! They were having a computer problem that evening (as sometimes happens in a new place, no matter what sort of business it is) but everyone managed to stay calm and our orders came out of the kitchen right on schedule. We were pleasantly surprised at the knowledge shown by the server with regard to the wines he recommended we drink with our meals (not everyone had wine but all enjoyed their meal). The music that was playing in the background was spot on! All in all, a truly unique experience... Thank you, Braai - we will certainly be coming back next time we are in NYC! Pros: Thumbs up more

I love this place! Xai Xai (SA Wine Bar) down the street was a great addition to the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood but all the menu items are small. So you can imagine how happy I was when I heard they were opening a full service bar and restaurant right up the block! Coming to BRAAI makes you feel like you are entering a different dining world. There is Venison, Oxtail, Ostrich, Antelope on the menu!! I started off with the mutton-wors appetizer. It was an explosion of flavors, bringing together lamb sausage, guava reduction, and bok choy! Who knew? The food is beautifully plated making it almost too pretty to eat... Then we played the adventurous card and dove into the ostrich. It was a nice portion of meat pan seared med (chef recommended). Served on the side was a delightful arrangement of coconut mashed potatoes, green beans in a black berry (slightly spicy) sauce. I never imagined such food combinations...Besides the food, our waiter was knowledgeable, friendly and the drinks were delicious. Definitely going to come back for dessert (I was stuffed) and bring some more of my friends for the ride!! Pros: Ambiance, Exotic Cuisine, Cool Bar scene Cons: no lunch, parking, no delivery more

Went to dinner Saturday at 6 pm. Had made a reservation a few days prior but they had no record of it. There were empty tables (only one other table occupied at the time), so the hostess seated us. The decor is nice, the lighting a bit dim to read the menu by. Our waiter was knowledgeable and accommodating. Our drinks took longer than expected (waiter apologized). The food was excellent (ostridge and pork dishes) and the place quickly filled up with other parties. Nice atmosphere and music. There is a room towards the back that will seat a larger party (approx. 8) with a beautiful table and candles that have dripped down from their perch. Given that the place has only been open just a few weeks and needs to work out their kinks, I would definitely go back. Pros: Good food, good cocktails Cons: Trouble with the reservation, dim lighting more

The first time we tried to go to Braii we didn't have a reservation but figured that as it had just opened we might not need one. However, when we arrived it was heaving. The hostess bizarrely took menus, welcomed us past the crowded bar, led us to the other end of the restaurant and then whispered into her cleavage 'theres no room'. Strange as we felt she could have told us this at the door! Stranger even was when her colleague asked us if we wanted to sit outside.....at the time there was a torrential rainstorm and we would have been the only ones outside, cowering from the rain beneath the awning. Not exactly appealing. \r However, a few days later, some friends asked us to go to Braai, so I called and made the reservation (bad move). I was told this was fine and on the day, after calling to reconfirm the reservation and to push the time back by 1/2 hour, I was told that everything was fine again. However, 4 hours later, when we turned up at the venue door, there was no reccollection of our booking. The hostess, bless her, had no idea who we were or how to run the place. We went to the bar (she wouldn't have had the good sense to reccommend this) and waited 10 minutes for someone else to tell us to take one of the 4-5 empty tables. Fantastic.\r The food was seriously overpriced for what it was, no-one re-filled our water glasses the entire time we were there. The waiter (who I reccognize from Xai Xai) was good but was surrounded by people who didn't have a clue. I felt that the menu was really nice but that there are so many ways to improve the dining experience. \r Mid mouthful of our main courses, for example, bizarrely a waitress appeared and asked us if we had finished. What the?!\r It was really expensive for what it was and we all felt that unless they get with the program their days are numbered, especially with the dining scene in NY, I just can't see this one sticking around for long. Pros: Decor is appealing...great wine list Cons: Overpriced food...terrible service...clueless staff...a bizarre experience more