Shimmy Beach Club is no stranger to locals, although the mindset has somewhat shifted of late. It’s so much more than sexy Saturdays and leggy models, it is also a place for family fundays and the kids are gobbling it up.
Shimmy Beach Club is a mix of open spaces, punctuated with sparkling pools, in the most prime property in Cape Town. It is located right on the water’s edge in the Victoria and Alfred area.
You can easily lose an entire day here, just relaxing, sipping on the views and good food – and you’d be forgiven. Lazy white lounge suites sit on the sand, in the warm sun on a chilly autumn day. There are so many options for dining, inside, outside, on the sand, on the verandah – pick a spot and get cosy.
Kids roll around on the beach sand and wear themselves out on the jumping castle, within clear eyeshot – a parental kinda party.
The menu gets a shake up every season, with compliments from Executive Chef Adrian Cook. The consideration of warmer meals during winter is not lost on my palate, it is most welcomed.
I think a visual walk through the menu is how to best explain the new offerings. Follow me this way…
The mussels could very well have been picked minutes before we ordered them. Fresh and delicate – they are drenched in a garlic, white wine, cream sauce. If you’re a fan of mussels, make sure you put this on your ‘must-eat’ list. Then, sop up the rest of the sauce with the homemade herb focaccia, this is the only way to avoid licking the plate clean.
If I were a millennial, this dish would be OMG, Lit and it would have given me the feels. Translated into simpler terms, this meal is pure luxury. Sesame encrusted Norwegian Salmon on a bed of asian vegetables – heart be still. The salmon was cooked to an inch of perfection, and the vegetables sautéed delicately to keep the integrity of the flavours in tact. Together, they created an extraordinary bite.
Like a hot knife through butter, is how you judge a good steak. If your utensils glide through the steak seamlessly, you are the proud consumer of a gloriously prepared piece of meat. And this was the exact preparation of my grilled fillet with bubble and squeak, sautéed shimeji mushrooms, and a natural beef jus. It smacks of old school cooking done right. The jus is light but packs a big flavour punch.
A, melt your heart, smoked dark chocolate fondant with cognac ice cream is dessert. A spoon through the middle releases the gooey insides – warm and decadent – mix it with a spoonful of ice cream and enjoy the magic. When you’re done, you’re pretty much done for the rest of the afternoon.
My advise would be to wait it out, order a glass of their exceptional wine and watch boats drift in and out of the harbour. It is a magnificent space to get lost in Cape Town living. And if you’re a parent, your kids are happy and relaxed – even more reasons to stay the afternoon. There are great kiddies food offerings too, pizza, spaghetti and meatballs and burgers to name a few.
Specials at Shimmy Beach Club include:
– 50% will be deducted from the entire bill every Tuesday. Guests can expect full hospitality at half the price from 11am until 11pm.
– Half price on baked pizza, or choose from their famous selection of sushi or dim sum, from Wednesdays-Fridays from 11am until 4pm.
– On Friday evenings guests are invited to join for Seasoned, a celebration of food in a relaxed potluck style dining experience. With a menu that changes weekly from Aromatic Arabic flavours to a Mexican fiesta-style spread, the sharing feast is designed for groups of four or more.
Contact: +27 (0) 21 200 7778
Address: 12 South Arm Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Website: www.shimmybeachclub.co.za
Pictures: Supplied