Amsterdammers, there’s a new kid in town and you want to know him. I can honestly say that I haven’t eaten this well in ages and that my cocktail as an aperitif was one that I want to taste very often. I present to you: Cape Town Social Club, a new restaurant in Raamstraat in Amsterdam. As the name suggests, the menu is indeed one with South African influences — and the cocktails are too. LOVE IT.
At the helm of the Cape Town Social Club are Sebastian Erasmus and Alexander Heim, both no strangers to the hospitality industry. The former has already cooked up a storm in The Test Kitchen and The Potluck Club (both in Cape Town) and then in La Rive and The White Room in Amsterdam. So you already know: this is not the least. His partner Alexander Heim has worked in various bars around the world, from London to New York and from Cape Town to of course Amsterdam.
I started the evening with an incredibly delicious cocktail: the Thai Lychee Cocktail, with Thai basil and chili, so somewhat spicy but oh so tasty. It’s just that I had to take it easy (because it was a weekday evening), but next time I must and will order the Salted Caramel Espresso Martini; that sounds truly divine.
Alright, on to the food. I have never been to South Africa, but that’s why I brought my brother as my dinner partner. He has been there and is always lyrical about the food there. However, you won’t find a South African braai here, but you will find South African dishes at a high level. Our favorites? The Potato Dauphinoise: a kind of patatas bravas but then in their own way, and the Beef Fillet with truffle pepper sauce. My brother and I looked at each other and said almost simultaneously: ‘This is the most tender meat I have tasted in ages.’ In one word divine.
By the way, don’t skip the dessert, because the Ice Cream Sandwich comes with a sauce of roasted white chocolate and hazelnut and I’m seriously still dreaming about it. I scraped that whole bowl clean and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Alright, you know where to go: Cape Town Social Club is truly a great addition.
