Cape Town - My mate Bruce who lives in Cape town is a chef who has also spent time in India. So who better to help me test the boast I’d heard from several Capetonians – including the Taj Cape Town’s Bombay Brasserie restaurant itself – that they serve the best curry in the country.
As a Durbanite, I had tested the best. So I thought.
But the curry at the Bombay Brasserie was something special. I can’t quite explain why, but it was the best I have ever tasted.
Sitting in the quiet comfort of Bombay Brasserie restaurant, looking directly at St George’s Cathedral, we clinked our delicious craft beers to chef Harpreet Longani while waiters swanned past with covered salvers.
The menu is extensive but happily there is curry-for-dummies: tasting menus so you can get a spread of tastebud treats, and you can order your heat dialled up or down. I’ve had great prawns on a remote island, but the Tandoori garlic prawn with dill was a new high. I was amazed at the subtle complexities in seemingly simple dishes such as roasted yellow corn soup with turmeric popcorn, lentil dumplings (Bhalla Chaat) and black lentils and kidney beans (Dal Makhani).
The Taj Cape Town is not even five years old as a hotel, but full of history as it is a careful transformation and melding of two buildings: the Board of Executors (1896) and the original South African Reserve Bank (1929). The result is a contemporary 17-storey tower. Old-world opulence and contemporary luxury are seamlessly juxtaposed.
There are 11 room types, including the truly stupendous, double-storey Presidential suite. Our suite was not as grand, but superb nonetheless with a Nespresso machine, desk, free wi-fi for on-the-move workers and a balcony looking up at Table Mountain. Decor was an impressive blend of old- world and modern.
Everything about Taj Cape Town was impressive actually, especially the service- from the front door to departure.
We stepped out that door for a complimentary two-and-a half-hour guided walking tour to discover the Mother City’s historical and cultural riches.
Then we excitedly headed to The V&A Waterfont to get a different perspective. The best way to see Cape Town is undoubtedly from the air and we took a “Hopper” flip with NAC Helicopter. Fifteen minutes literally flew by as we smoothly soared over the city bowl, the new Green Point Stadium, the famous four beaches of Clifton, the white sands of Camps Bay and the majestic Twelve Apostles before making an about turn.
A few hours in the V&A complex was followed by a leisurely evening at the City Grill Steakhouse, an elegant restaurant overlooking the quayside. One of their fine signature dishes – warthog with creamy mushroom sauce and quince jelly – went down superbly with some fine wine. There are over 150 vintages to match your meal, and sommeliers to advise you. Beef and game cuts are on display in the fridges so you can see the quality, before you taste it. It’s lovely indoors on a bracing evening, or outside on a sunny day with a Collison’s Postilled Crush or another of their fine cocktails.
We explored further within the hotel itself. Apart from the Bombay Brasserie there is Mint, the Local Grill, an elegant all-day restaurant which opens on to the cobbled St George’s Mall walkway and the Twankey Bar, a champagne and seafood bar. There is a formal lounge, cocktail bar, cigar lounge, fully equipped fitness centre and a Jiva Grande Spa, which draws on ancient Indian healing traditions to offer a number of signature treatments, including yoga and meditation.
I made use of the heated indoor lap pool while Bruce chilled on a poolside lounger.
Conference facilities don’t normally interest me, but The Reserve at Taj Cape Town – a converted banking hall – is stunning, while the downstairs walk-in vault has become an amazing multi-function space with a massive wine cellar.
Did I say “impressive”? You bet.
Call: 021 819 2000 and visit www.tajcapetown.co.za
Sunday Tribune