Luxury is in the detail. Attention to detail is what made our breakfast experience at one. waterfront at Cape Grace so memorable. I was earlier than expected and chose to sit in the lounge area at the restaurant reading the paper over coffee. The service was intelligent and predictive, which meant that as I formulated a desire for something, it was offered or provided before asking.
Attention to detail was carried through to every aspect of our experience, except where we were seated.
While being shown to a table inside we asked rather to sit in the glass-enclosed sunroom. We were shown to a table adjacent to another table of diners while there appeared to be lots of space where we could sit without reading the Financial Times over our neighbour’s shoulder. Moments later, another large group was seated at the very next table but instead of asking to move somewhere less crowded, we both turned out focus on our delicious breakfast.
The décor is understated and elegant with chocolate and putty hues offset by coffee and cream tones and white napery.
The suggestion to revisit breakfast at the Grace came from KFM Breakfast’s Vania Rosado, who made it her best breakfast choice - I think I must agree. The continental breakfast (R90) included the buffet and hot toast served to the table or R105 for the buffet and a la carte hot breakfast.
The usual suspects were there but again it was the detail that separated this breakfast experience from others. Smoked salmon, onion rings, capers and cream cheese, spicy Italian salami with olives, macerated stone fruits, home-baked filled muffins, hams of exceptional quality as well as delicious breads earned them the extra star.
I started with Swiss muesli and yoghurt, which istopped with a selection from poppy seeds, sunflower seeds, currants and raisins, slivered almonds and berries. I had a fruit the size of a gooseberry which looked like a baby pomegranate and was delicious. Cold cuts and cheeses followed.
Craig Leventhal opted for fruit to start and particularly enjoyed the passion fruit and melons. He mentioned that he had once stayed at The Grace and how impressed he was with the rooms. I was once the guest of The Grace in Rosebank, Johannesburg, and had been equally impressed with their superb care and quality. the breakfast experience confirmed this.
The a la carte menu offered kippers, bacon on flapjacks with maple syrup, traditional English breakfast fare, Eggs Benedict and Salmon Eggs Benedict, a health breakfast with a vegetarian cake and omelettes. Craig chose the Kippers, which he enjoyed with mushrooms while I, instead of ordering the health breakfast, chose the Eggs Benedict. As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, I have a weakness for butter sauces and perhaps it was the anticipation after declining eggs Benedict for so long or that the chef was particularly excellent, but the amount of vinegar in the poaching water was just perfect to balance the richness of the butter. The eggs too were perfect, neatly stacked in the centre of my plate on a toasted scone with the bright yellow Hollandaise sauce interrupted only by the rust-coloured bacon. A feather of dill completed the dish.
Some people baulk at paying R100 for breakfast but I think it is the best value meal one can have. Free-flow tea, coffee, fruit juice and Krone Borealis sparkling wine is on offer here and as many trips to and from the buffet as your appetite or sense of acceptability will allow.
Our bill, including a tip and bottle of water, came to R240.
one. waterfront at Cape Grace Hotel. West Quay, Waterfront. Tel: 021-418-0520.
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