When I received the new VW Polo Vivo for testing, my first thought was: what would a typical Polo Vivo driver do with it? I also wondered how people who own a Vivo as their second car make use of it. Since it’s a great fuel saver, I thought of a few things to do with a small runaround. One of them was to visit SU CASA, a local restaurant in Randridge, just outside Randfontein. My family and I took the Vivo for a
leisurely drive from home for a late lunch.
The restaurant is located in a farming area and shares a plot with a livestock auction house, where farmers and customers gather on Wednesdays to trade livestock. On weekends, the atmosphere changes as food enthusiasts come to enjoy their favourite Portuguese dishes.
On weekends, the atmosphere changes as food enthusiasts come to enjoy their favourite Portuguese dishes. As the name suggests – Su Casa, meaning “your house” in English – it feels like a home away from home. It’s the kind of place where you arrive in shorts and flip-flops, kick off your shoes, and relax. While it may lack modern décor, it more than makes up for it with personality and ambience. It felt like a perfect match for the Vivo, which also doesn’t try to be something it’s not. It stays true to itself, offering a no-fuss commute with simple design and functionality.
Since we’re from the area, the drive was a quick 20 minutes. Our trusty
Polo Vivo got us there effortlessly. For those coming from Joburg or Centurion, the drive will take about an hour, but it’s worth it. Along with the delicious food, you’ll enjoy a refreshing escape from the city into the countryside.
The menu offers a variety of favourites, from chicken to beef and seafood, all prepared in authentic Portuguese style with incredible flavours. As soon as we walked in, I could smell the garlic-infused olive oil. My son, ever the sceptic, wasn’t convinced there could be a real Portuguese restaurant in the farmlands outside Randfontein. To him, it didn’t make sense, given the predominantly Afrikaans community. He expected something more generic, like steak, chips, and salads, not true Portuguese cuisine.
We settled in and our server, a young blonde woman, attended to us. She brought the menus and took our drinks order. We asked her a few questions about the wine list. We, the parents, were looking forward to enjoying some wine and letting our son drive us home, as we often do on family outings – ensuring that no one drinks and drives. Being a seafood lover, I browsed the menu for something from the ocean.
The seafood espetada caught my eye, and I settled on it. My partner opted for the classic South African choice – steak. By this time, our wine and water had arrived. There’s no rush at Su Casa; you sit back, savour the generous portions, enjoy the great flavours, and engage in lovely conversations all around.
The prices are reasonable for what you get, which is something I appreciate about countryside eateries. For three adult meals, drinks, and an extra takeaway, we spent R1000.
