Gauteng foodies, take note! Golden Hour Asian Grillhouse is here to wow Pretoria
EWN caught up with owners and brothers, Nazareth and Jedidiah, on what patrons can expect, and how each meal will be a memorable one.
Golden Hour Asian Grillhouse, an upmarket dining destination nestled in the heart of “Pretoria East”. Picture credit: Supplied
JOHANNESBURG – It is no secret that Asian food remains of the most popular cuisines in the world, many of them right here in Mzansi.
Restaurants continue to respond to the consistent uptick in the popularity of Asian cuisine by serving more regionally distinct dishes. Eyewitness News ventured to a new establishment tucked away in Pretoria East: Golden Hour Asian Grillhouse.
With both Johannesburg and Pretoria being home to some of the most genuine and elegantly designed Asian eateries, featuring everything from modern Japanese cuisine to traditional Korean hotpots, the competition is stiff for Golden Hour, which aims to blend all elements of the colourful culture.
Providing the ultimate culinary experience, perfect for a memorable night out with family and friends or for that special date you've been planning. Picture credit: Supplied
Regardless, Golden Hour Asian Grillhouse is fast becoming this region’s spot to make memories.
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or are just looking for a fresh eating experience, patrons can relax in a welcoming setting while enjoying the tastes of real Asian food, where each meal turns into a journey with others.
Eyewitness News had the chance to sit down and speak with the two brothers behind the establishment, Nazirite Tam and Jedidiah Tam.
Brothers Nazirite and Jedidiah Tam with their mother. Picture credit: Instagram @goldenhour_grill
When asked about the backstory of their restaurant, Nazareth laughed and looked at his brother as he settled in to narrate their story.
"That's a lengthy tale. After five years of talking about it and spending late nights discussing the possibility of bringing such to Pretoria, a few things came together, and I believe we both saw the opportunity. I know we all think that restaurants are one of the hardest industries to be in, and that they are probably the last business that we would consider when we first started," Nazareth said.
IS THERE A SPECIAL MEANING BEHIND THE RESTAURANT’S NAME?
"Golden Hour was the idea from the beginning. The sunset is breathtakingly gorgeous, but the time is too short. This is one of the reasons we chose this name: the time we spent with our father was so glorious and lovely, but it was also very brief. The buffet that we wish to host is the other Golden Hour-related issue. With an all-you-can-eat buffet, we hope to provide our patrons with an hour they won't soon forget, during which they can fully enjoy themselves."
FAMILY BONDING THROUGH COOKING
"We talked about how Asian barbecues are prepared, and it made me think of all the times we used to sit around a fire with our own meal on a small grill and sort of pick up on each other's characteristics. This is a bonding event where you can sit around the table and everyone gets to know one other's ins and outs, almost like their small eccentricities. For example, that guy likes to prepare beef to his perfection, while this person prefers to eat chicken this way secretly. You spend the Golden Hour together and try your best to get closer.”
A RESTAURANT TO HONOUR THE FAMILY LEGACY
"When our dad passed away, for us, we were trying to figure out what we can do with our lives and is there a way that we can honour him in the next project that we do together. Our mother and our late father were missionaries who devoted most of their time to aiding people in South Africa. Due to his generosity, our dad would primarily work on construction projects or just fix people's homes. We did assist him on many of those construction projects. Thus, creating this space served as a kind of healing exercise for us as well, allowing us to remember the days we spent building with our father and all the skills that we learned are from him."
THE GLOBAL RISE OF ASIAN CUISINE
"Due in large part to the popularity of K-pop, the trendiness of Asian fashion, and China's position as a major economic force, many Asian ideas are essentially becoming the more popular choice - not only in South Africa but all around the globe."
Mouth watering Wagyu. Picture credit: Simangele Legodi
UPLIFTING YOUTH THROUGH OPPORTUNITIES
"Both of us are actively involved in the church ministry because we looked for methods to help young people escape poverty or lack of training opportunities. And it was our method of rescuing a few young people from their predicament and giving them an opportunity to level up, just acquire experience, and open their eyes."