Shimmy into summer

If your tastes flow to the more decadent, Shimmys can't be beaten as the perfect special event-type venue, be it a birthday, date night or ladies letting their hair down mission, the restaurant and club offers the perfect backdrop. I was lucky enough to test out the new summer menu last Friday and the buzzing 300-seater restaurant was full to the brim of locals and tourists enjoying a special night out.

Light, fresh and carbon footprint friendly

Chef Adrian Cook has presented a new summer Mediterranean-style menu, focussing on light, fresh and healthy ingredients. I was happily surprised to find out that Shimmy does its utmost to reduce its carbon footprint by buying locally and only using free-range chicken; grass-fed, hormone-free beef and SASSI-approved fresh fish whilst recycling glass, plastic and cans in the restaurant, kitchen and bar.

After a fairly long wait for a cocktail (the only niggle of the evening), we set about ordering our starters and main courses with our attentive and friendly waiter. I ordered the thick-cut Tuna Carpaccio with root vegetable chips and a honey-and-lime vinaigrette. Light and fresh, the winning component on this dish for me were the little beetroot, sweet potato crispy chips which excellently complemented the soft-and-succulent tuna. My partner ordered the smoked ostrich starter, which was nestled on crispy mushroom risotto cakes and topped with saffron cream cheese and candied onion. I sneaked a bite and have to say that I preferred my own starter, no order envy there. I found the combination of smoky ostrich, risotto and cream cheese all just a little too rich and heavy.

With the main course, however, we eliminated the possibility of order envy by both choosing the same dish: Beef Fillet with asparagus spears, truffled hollandaise, crushed new potato and a ruby port jus. Our waiter spoilt us for choice by also bringing us a mushroom and pepper sauce and three additional side dishes: roast vegetables, chips and salad. Suffice it to say there were bursting bellies and a doggy bag needed to be employed. The fillet was cooked to perfection, succulent and juicy it was excellently accompanied by the garlicy crushed potatoes and somewhat Asian-like pepper sauce.

Three-way hit and miss

After a much-needed breather we boldly ordered the Chocolate Three Ways and honey Jack Daniels Crème Brûlée. To be honest, dessert was a little bit of a low point for me. Perhaps we were so stuffed that it couldn't really be enjoyed to its full extent; however I do feel that the Chocolate Three Ways, which included espresso mousse, ginger and cinnamon fondant, chilli chocolate biscuit and chocolate mint ice cream was a bit hit and miss - the best component being the creamy espresso mouse with tasty chocolate/espresso bits. The cinnamon fondant could have been amazing; however it was a tad overcooked and not as gooey and sumptuous as fondants should be and I feel the dish really would have been better without the inclusion of the lurid chocolate mint ice cream. Perhaps the honey Jack Daniels-flavoured Crème Brûlée is an acquired taste - my partner and I both agreed it didn't quite fit the brief for us.

Even though our Shimmy date night didn't end on the 'sweetest' of notes we had an amazing time nonetheless; breathtaking views, tasty food, yummy cocktails, attentive and friendly service in a vibey atmosphere with the added bonus option of popping next door to the club area for a nightcap and a round on the dance floor all contributed to making our Shimmy Beach Club experience a perfect kick start to the weekend.

Along with the new menu, Shimmy has launched 'Summer Calling', a 10-week high season celebration of summer beginning on 30 November, 2014. 'Shimmy Anthems' happens on Friday nights, when you can relax to the sultry sounds of SA's finest deep house DJs, and ease into an Ibiza-style party evening. Saturdays are for the 'Shimmy Pool Party' - the ultimate summertime destination party with the backdrop of Table Mountain. Sundays continue to deliver the best party in Cape Town with the return of 'Goldfish Submerged Sundays'.

Go to Shimmy's Facebook page or www.Shimmybeachclub.com for more information or to make a reservation.