The international celebrity hotel is cozying up to locals with winter specials and some of the best food in Cape Town. Tanya Pampalone fattens up at the One & Only.
The hotel’s marketing team is keenly aware that it is the locals who will keep it going during the winter months, so it has introduced a series of specials that include accommodation, spa and dinner at Nobu or Reuben’s, which promptly replaced Maze when it shut down. And with Riffel as an additional drawcard, the hotel is succeeding in its mission.
Riffel sat with us at the chef’s table, which overlooks the restaurant in a loft next to one of the entrances to the wine cellar, looking like he had just walked off the Robertson’s Spices advert, grinning and humble the entire evening despite being called away to sign 15 of his latest cookbook, Reuben Cooks Local, for a group from an IT company that was dining downstairs.
I had the house special: chilli-salted squid with cucumber, nuac chum dressing and lime mayonnaise, and for the main I ordered what he did: the Chalmar rib eye with pearl onions, brandy and butter sauce and a potato purée with horseradish so good, I wanted to drink it. Riffel is often at the restaurant, cooking on Thursdays in winter in the open kitchen, a huge draw for Capetonians who come from everywhere, he said, including Mitchell’s Plain, for special occasions such as hen parties, birthdays and anniversaries.
With the winter special on through September, this is your chance to do as the oligarchs do. If you are lucky enough, you might end up in a food coma too.
Travel to the One & Only, as well as accommodation and meals, was provided by the hotel.
Perfect weekend getaway for: A luxury gastronomic experience for a couple and/or the kids. The complimentary KidsOnly club has activities scheduled throughout the day.
Accessibility: Located at the V&A Waterfront
Cost: Winter specials at the One & Only began on April 1 and include:
The One Escape starts at R2 999 a night for a room.
The Only Spa Indulgence starts at R3 699 a night and includes daily complimentary breakfast at Reuben’s, as well as a 45-minute spa treatment for two guests.
Reuben’s Retreat starts at R3 449 per night and includes daily breakfast at Reuben’s as well as dinner for two.
The Cape Duo starts at R3 625 per night, with a minimum of two nights, and includes a Nobu winter bento box dinner for two as well as a choice of a 45-minute spa treatment.
Contact: For accommodation enquiries, phone 021 431 5800, email reservations@oneandonlycapetown.com or visit .
Full story in Mail & Guardian
