However, if one had to raise the bar towards more hedonistic celebrations, look no further than the recently opened GORGEOUS by Graham Beck bubbly bar attached to Catharina's at Steenberg Hotel. (This being an all time favourite of Suzy Q's - I did promise to share some of my best kept secrets with you if you were loyal enough to stick around as my blog gets off the ground. So thanks loyal friends and fans, please stay with me, more of my favourite hideouts later...)
Mr Suzy Q has rightfully earned the nickname Champagne Charlie for his love of good bubbly, and in Cape Town a well made Methode Cap Classique is more than adequate for our needs. As it happens, Peter Ferreira, from Graham Beck Wines in Robertson, is our favourite man for the job, and so well made and distinctive are his wines that they have often been mistaken at blind tastings I have attended for those from the famous house of Krug, whose style he favours. We have done a handful of sorties to his HQ on those red baked Klein Karoo plains to savour his delicate Brut Rose's, but time doesn't permit many more at the moment. Imagine our delight when it was announced that a dedicated bubbly bar, featuring his MCC's was to open, literally on our doorstep, in the Constantia Valley.
An under utilised wing of Catharina's has been transformed into an exquisite, bordering on decadent, art deco type bubbly bar featuring Vivienne Westwood wallpaper and Tom Dixon fittings. Intimate booths vie with stools-to-be-seen-on, depending on the mood and the occasion. Bubblies are available by the glass, bottle or flight ranging from R40 per glass to R500 per bottle. These can be accompanied by light bites by the inimitable Garth Almazan, which include freshly shucked Saldana Bay oysters (R18 la piece) perfectly served on ice with Tabasco and lime wedges, or selections of canapes including our hot favourite, asparagus and goat's cheese risotto croquettes (R25). It's not an inexpensive evening out, but a convivial place to meet up for a sundowner and/or a special celebration in a seductive setting. Jenna and Zelda, who left Bistro 1682 to set up this exciting new hotspot will see to to your every need, as always, with charm and professional pizazz.
My only sour note is that since GORGEOUS by Graham Beck opened, the no smoking policy on the terrace and outside the entrance to Catharina's seems to have gone for a Burton, and hotel manager Gaby Gramm has informed me that management can allow smoking outside at their discretion. Much as I like the venue, staff and the whole concept, if I have to walk through a cloud of obnoxious fumes to even get inside the door, I won't return. It also precludes the option of sipping one's bubbly outside on a pleasant starry evening.
This isn't Peddlars after all, but a five star establishment. I hope that sanity prevails and the smoke free terrace environment makes a comeback, so that we too might be tempted to return. But if you are not quite as fussy about the air you breathe as I am, it might just be the place to pop into for that special date or celebration. Open daily from 11am - 10pm. Call 021-7137177, but like Anthony Bourdain, it's No Reservations. www.gorgeousbygrahambeck.co.za
Ever in hope of another (smoke free) celebration,
Suzy Q
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