Bar: Lyra’s Restaurant
Address: Corner of Main and Belmont roads, Rondebosch, Cape Town
Contact: 021 685 2871
Cocktail: The Lyra
Price: R35 (on special now for R25)
Ingredients: Tequila, grenadine, lime, blue curacao, mango juice
Bring out the crazy cocktail colours of summer. Lyra’s makes this three-layered beauty with a decent kick of tequila. Barman Ian Chiodzera blends ice with a shot of tequila and blue curacao. The next layer is a blend of half a shot of cassis and grenadine and the drink is topped with mango juice. He garnishes the glass with a strawberry.
The tequila was adequate and pleasing. The texture was between icy and juicy, making it an easy drink to sip. The tastes vary from mango to tequila as I made my way down. It was like a margarita but prettier.
Owner Brendon Taylor says their cocktails are more popular with students than older customers, who prefer beer or wine.
If I were a student in the area, I would take advantage of the special of R25 for all cocktails all day. It is on for November and possibly longer.
Taylor says he bought the restaurant as Adesso three years ago, when it was an Italian place. Last year, he rebranded it to Lyra’s, after his daughter.
They have added steaks, burgers and seafood fare to the menu.
Lyra’s smoking area is outside and their WiFi is free.
It is open Monday to Saturday from 8am until late. – Weekend Argus