The Big Easy Winebar & Grill first opened its doors in Durban one year ago and The Socialite looks back on the past year and future celebrations to come, check it out…

The ever stylish winebar and grill was founded by legendary golfing great, Ernie Els and has made quite its name for itself in the city of Durban. It’s unpretentious, inviting and fun and has fast become the perfect place to enjoy great food and great wine.

The Hilton Hotel partnered with none other than golf superstar, Ernie Els to create the unique eatery which offers guests a seasonally driven menu including all your favourites from grill to local specialities inspired by the flavours and cultures of South Africa.

The Big Easy offering was the dynamic vision of interior designers Virserius Studio, an award-winning hospitality interior design firm out of New York and Paris who created the venue that resulted in the space being ‘beautiful, friendly and open, to ensure that everyone who visits will feel comfortable.’

The culinary emphasis of the restaurant is on fresh, locally sourced produce, free range and organic meat and fresh seafood, with the restaurant open for lunch and dinner daily.

Here you can make use of the restaurant’s open plan interior which even features a Chef’s Table and open Kitchen. Here you can get up close and personal with Chef Fourie and watch her live in action as she delivers a truly divine culinary experience time after time. Janine says, “Good quality food inspires me. Only by appreciating your ingredients and gathering knowledge about them, can you produce a truly divine culinary experience.”

There is also a large bar area with an impressive wine bottle display, a copper bar counter and the tantalising aromas of the kitchen. The Lounge area is stocked with wines from Ernie Els Wines portfolio and showcases a feature wall filled with golfing memorabilia and replica trophies.

Outside you will find a gorgeous Terrace ideal for Al Fresco dining featuring locally-sourced furniture and accents.

“Having travelled the world and dined out literally thousands of times, I understand the essence of what makes a great restaurant. It has to have warm hospitality and a fun, relaxed environment – somewhere to enjoy spending time with friends and family over a great bottle of wine and a meal,” says Els.  “The ethos behind Big Easy Winebar & Grill is to provide all of those qualities. This really is my kind of restaurant in every sense.”

The Socialite was delighted to showcase the local hotspot in an exclusive Video Showcase.

The exclusive showcase features the restaurant itself as well as interviews with Executive Chef Janine Fourie, Sommelier at the Big Easy Winebar & Grill Eric Botha, former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Delron Buckley, the CEO of Prosport International Mike Makaab as well as Olympian South African swimmer Charl Crous.

Check out a sneak peek of what went down below…

[youtuber youtube=’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es6H93_ovq8′]