Love a Little Local: New restaurant replaces Betty Blue

Love a Little Local: New restaurant replaces Betty Blue

Writer Hedda Mittner

There are surely many foodies out there who were sorry to see Betty Blue closed up for several months, but these days the premises are sporting a fresh new look, a new name and new owners. ‘Brinjals & Thyme’ has an almost poetic ring to it and the muted colour palette creates a serene ambience, providing the perfect background to chef Hannes Pieterse’s gorgeous food.

Hannes and his business partner, Jaco Nel, who runs front-of-house, have 36 years of experience in the restaurant industry. Although he studied law, Hannes says he never practiced because the opportunity to purchase a restaurant all those years ago proved irresistible. Cooking had been his passion since childhood and he has never looked back since taking over the Matador in Pretoria in 1985. In 1991 Hannes and Jaco opened their second restaurant, Gerard Moerdyk, named after the renowned architect who designed the Voortrekker Monument, along with several other iconic buildings in South Africa.

After 10 successful years the partners sold Gerard Moerdyk to open a restaurant and function venue on Rademeyers Country Estate, bordering the Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve. They also went on to run the luxurious Shikwari Bush Lodge on a game reserve near Hoedspruit and were the owners of the Tea Café in Waterkloof.

If the name ‘Brinjals & Thyme’ sounds familiar, it’s because this is Jaco and Hannes’s second stint in Hermanus – they opened the first Brinjals & Thyme in the Village Square in 2018. Having spent many a holiday in the Western Cape, mainly in Franschhoek and on the Whale Coast, they had always nurtured the dream of settling permanently in Hermanus. When they finally took the plunge their timing proved to be unfortunate as they not only struggled to find the right premises but it was also the year when rioting had a detrimental impact on the local economy.

But now they are back – and in a great location on Main Road. “It’s been wonderful to catch up with our old clients, many of whom have moved to Hermanus from Pretoria in recent years,” says Jaco. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast and lunch, and for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings.

They serve a variety of scrumptious breakfasts and great coffee (Miko, a rich Italian roast) and Mediterannean-inspired meals that range from open bruschetta treats, mezze platters and healthy salads to delicious mains such as pasta pescatore, a lentil and brinjal bobotie served with raita in a roti, and a rösti beef burger with avo, feta and tzatziki. Vegetarians are well catered for and vegan options are also available. Be on the look-out for the new deli that Hannes and Jaco plan on opening soon in the back section of the restaurant.

Find Brinjals & Thyme at 126 Main Road, Hermanus or call 076 176 5708 to book.