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After a month in which their water was shut off and the doors had to close, much-loved Cape Town restaurant Farro will be open again from tomorrow (Wednesday 29 April)!
“We are so excited to be able to open our doors again after an excruciatingly challenging month. We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from the community, and we can't wait to welcome you back into our home,” enthused Eloise Windebank, who runs Farro with her husband, Alex.
Farro’s nightmare month began in late-March, when they were caught in the middle of a dispute between the owner of the building (Farro is a tenant) in Gardens, and the City of Cape Town. Water and municipal services to the Wandel Street restaurant were disconnected due to a municipal debt linked to the property, dating back before Alex and Eloise took occupation.
The debt wasn’t theirs, but the fallout certainly was.
With no water, Farro had to shut the doors, losing bookings, valuable stock and weeks of revenue. For a small business, owned and operated by the couple, it was devastating. And as the closure dragged on, Farro’s survival was at risk.
Enter stage left, wearing a superhero cape, the city’s foodie community, who have enthusiastically supported the restaurant’s ‘Friends of Farro Fundraiser' campaign. At the time of writing, hundreds of donors had pledged more than R315 000 to support the restaurant’s reopening.
Which will happen tomorrow, Wednesday 29 April!
With the debt issue resolved and the water back on, Chef Alex has been hard at work in the Farro kitchens, dreaming up a brand-new menu for the reopening.
“Since we unexpectedly shuttered, Autumn has descended upon Cape Town, so it makes sense for us to open with a brand-new menu,” says Eloise. “Our format remains true, with Snacks, Pasta, Fish, Meat and Dessert, but we look forward to incorporating some of our favourite ingredients which are back in season.”
And Autumn in the Cape is a fine time for foodies, as the cooler weather and seasonal produce offer the perfect excuse for heartier dishes.
“Expect to see quince both on the drinks menu and as the start of our new dessert; Ginger Cake, Quince & White Chocolate,” adds Eloise. “Earthy root vegetables, fragrant mushrooms, hand-rolled pasta stuffed with herb-infused potato and brown butter. Our take on food at Farro has always been rooted in comforts and classics, and the cooler Cape Town weather really allows for this kind of food to shine.”
And shine it certainly will when Farro opens again this week! Farro is an intimate space, and tables are sure to be in demand, so our advice is to book early. It’s a short week and a long weekend, but if you can’t get a seat this week, you’re sure to have some luck later in the month.