South Africa, Cape Town;
SALT RESTAURANT & BAR, in the stylish and contemporary Ambassador Hotel in Bantry Bay, has been synonymous with breathtaking ocean views, inspired food and wine pairings and slick service since opening in 2006. This month sees the launch of Salt Deli, with an upstairs Vodka Bar to follow in early 2010, located across the road from the hotel and restaurant.
The new deli fills a much-needed gap in the market not only for local residents but also for residents of the hotel’s recently upgraded Executive Suites as well as the many guest houses and private villas dotted along the Atlantic seaboard. With indoor and outdoor seating – a sheltered deck offers glimpses of the sea view that has made Salt Restaurant famous – the deli is the ideal spot to enjoy an Origin coffee, an express breakfast or anytime snack, choose gourmet goodies for a picnic on the beach or simply relax with authentic tapas and irresistible sundowner drinks.
Besides tapas, the menu also offers fresh salads and gourmet sandwiches and wraps to eat in or take away. The food is essentially South African in style with strong global influences from North Africa, Italy and, of course, Spain. For busy cooks wanting to throw together a no-fuss dinner party, there is a wonderful choice of local and imported ingredients on display. Charcuterie, cheeses, patisserie and breads (freshly baked on site daily) form the backbone of the deli offerings. In-house guests of the hotel have the added convenience of being able to charge any items purchased at the deli to their room account. If there is a demand for it, the deli plans to offer the convenience of on-line shopping and picnic baskets that may be ordered in advance for easy pick up and go.
‘Salt restaurant is known for offering one of the best selections of wines by the glass in the city’, says Gidi Caetano, general manager and wine aficionado. ‘Our new deli continues this tradition of offering customers exactly what they want, with over 30 wines served by the glass.’ The retail side also has a wonderful selection of wines to take home.
To achieve a sleek, modern design, Salt partnered with Stefan Antoni Architects to create the stylish interiors that blend industrial chic elements with plenty of natural textures and elements, including slate, cement and wood. The overall effect is one of sophistication with a laidback coastal ambience in keeping with its seaside location.
Equally exciting is news of Salt’s new Vodka Bar, scheduled to open above the deli in early 2010. Lounge-style seating and an inviting sundowner deck with uninterrupted sea views will encourage patrons to linger over an intriguing drinks menu dedicated almost exclusively to vodka cocktails.
With its unsurpassed location overlooking one of the most desirable stretches of the South African coastline, the vodka bar is a first in South Africa. Only premium brands will be on offer, including over 25 international vodkas from as far afield as Sweden and New Zealand. An added attraction will be a walk-in champagne fridge with 15 local and 15 international bubblies all available to order by the glass.
Launching on 15 December, Salt Deli will be open seven days a week from 08h00 to 21h00 in summer.
The new Salt Deli & Vodka Bar forms part of NEWMARK HOTELS (PTY) Ltd. The collection includes the four-star Ambassador Hotel in Bantry Bay, Cape Town, the uber-luxurious five-star Dock House Boutique Hotel & Spa and the four-star Victoria & Alfred Hotel both located at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. For more information visit www.newmarkhotels.com.
For comment call Gidi Caetano – general manager of Salt Restaurant & Bar and Salt Deli & Vodka Bar on (27 (21) 439-7258 or email gidi@saltrestaurant.co.za.
