Set in an elegant and contemporary double volume space, with plush sofas and a floor-to-ceiling glass that showcases the magnificent view of Table Mountain, Vista Bar & Lounge epitomizes vibrance both in design and location. A venue of energy at the pinnacle of Cape Town’s city life, this hub of vitality and zest appeals to all ages and walks of life. With an undercurrent of vibrancy humming throughout the resort, the newly reimagined Vista also incorporates nuances of both African folklore and local modernity into the design, making it as striking in aesthetic as it is in storytelling. Whilst offering unparalleled views of the natural wonder, Table Mountain, Vista pays homage to the world-renowned mountain from the carpet, depicting the topography of Table Mountain, to the four Watcher statues that stand tall in the centre of the bar that speak to a renowned Xhosa tale of how Table Mountain came to be.
Now, the newly refurbished One&Only Cape Town is proud to announce a culinary collaboration with internationally acclaimed local chef, Karen Dudley. Born from a desire for fresh, clean and wonderfully unstuffy food, Karen and resort Executive Chef Jacques Swart together have created a bespoke menu that focuses on delicious simplicity. Launched on 1 November, the menu allows for locally sourced fresh ingredients to take centre stage in this culinary journey of the senses.
Guests can expect some South African favourites such as fresh Marina Rise Mussels with a leek and fennel cream, classically served Grilled Prawns or some new world favourites including a mouthwatering, 10-hour braised Vietnamese Brisket, the rich and indulgent Very Mushroom Toast (the best-loved option of Karens’) or tenderly blanched Sunflower Broccoli, all of which have been met with rave reviews thus far and showcase merely the tip of the food-iceberg.
When asked about her collaboration with One&Only Cape Town, Karen says, “It really has been something special. Out of our working together we take and pick so much from each other. It’s a little bit of pulling in everyone with their different backgrounds and incorporating all those flavours and it’s just wonderful.” Chef Jacques agreed, adding that, “The opportunity to showcase new dishes created by Karen and the culinary team has been one for the books; the energy and thrill to execute this daily is bliss”.
Vista’s team has been joined by Bryan Pieterson, a South African born but internationally raised mixologist – the owner of Purl London, Marylebone – in the creation of the venue’s new Watcher cocktails. Taking key elements out of the Xhosa myth, Bryan has concocted four cocktails that represent a multi-sensory experience of the story in taste, smell and sight, adding theatre to the Vista cocktail menu.
Inspired by each of the players in the legend, each cocktail is named after different elements, namely Sea – Nkanyamba, Earth – Djobela, Sun – Tixo and Wind – Qamata. The Watcher statues, standing tall atop the bar display of Vista, tell a story of the Watchers, a Xhosa legend of Table Mountain’s origins. As the tale goes, when Earth was once covered by ocean, the god Qamata, son of Tixo, God of the Sun wished to create dry land separate from the sea. The sea dragon, Nkanyamba resisted the relinquish of control from the sea and fought against him. During battle, Qamata was left crippled and cried out to his mother Djobela to come to his aid. She, as the Goddess of Earth, created four giant beings to help in the fight against Nkanyamba. The ocean and the sea dragon proved to be too strong a foe however and one by one they fell. In their final moments, the Watchers called to their creator asking to be turned to stone, so that even in death, they could help protect the land. Their wish was granted and as the Watcher of the South transformed, he pulled back from the sea to form an expansive ridge along the coastline, creating Table Mountain as we see it today.
To book, call Reservations +27 21 431 5888 or email: Reservations@oneandonlycapetown.com. For more information, please visit oneandonlyresorts.com.