Greg Landman discovers spectacular mountain views at the very hip Blakes Bar in Cape Town.

Food ?
Try the delicious baked mushroom with feta (which was substituted for the goat’s cheese on the menu) with a hint of red onion marmalade on a crispy slice of toast; salmon fishcakes with bits of grapefruit; or the Szechuan salted squid. Mains were beef short ribs, with plenty of honey-soy-sesame glaze and excellent pommes frites, and creamy three-cheese macaroni with prawns. Following this was the suitably satisfying Eton mess, with crunchy, excellent meringue, rich semi-whipped cream and the unseasonal strawberries replaced by peaches.

Wine ?
The 28 wines on offer, some with severe mark-ups, are not all available; the regions are sometimes noted incorrectly; and the vintage on the list is not necessarily the one you will be getting. Avoid the hassle and have beer instead.

Service?
The staff were eager to please.

Ambience ?
This is a multi-levelled, luxurious venue with spectacular views of the mountain and an antique feel. The outdoor decks allow you to take in the vibe, with live music on some nights. Considered very hot by the cognoscenti, Blakes Bar is the place to be but not necessarily eat.

And… ?
There’s plenty of safe parking outside, off Buitengracht.

By Greg Landman

Have you been to Blakes? Let us know about your experience.