Shimmy Beach Club Shines with New Summer Menu [Review]
There are few summer lunch spots in Cape Town that are as fabulous as Shimmy Beach Club. Truth be told, I don’t visit this spot as often as I should and, after a recent visit to sample their new summer menu, I was left berating myself for living just down the road from this wonder and not taking advantage of it! Sure, it’s been a long, hard winter and I’ve been hibernating with the best of them but, now that the sun is out there’s no excuse really. A good place to start if you’re just getting into the summer vibe at Shimmy is to book a sun lounger on the beach or by the pool (entrance is free if you’re drinking and snacking) and soaking up the vibe. If you’ve always dreamed of living in a sea-side villa with a private beach then Shimmy is the place to live out your dreams until they become a reality. Of course, while you’re there showing off the summer body you crafted in winter I must insist you stay for lunch! The restaurant at Shimmy Beach Club has just launched its new summer menu and it’s nothing short of marvelous. From sushi and seafood to burgers, pizzas, and grills, there’s something delicious for everyone to enjoy.
The oh-so-fabulous spot at the V&A Waterfront, officially launched their summer menu on 19 October 2016 and the great news is it will be available until the end of April 2017. I love that this time around Executive Chef, Adrian Cook and his team have made a consertive effort to focus more on the inclusion of dietary specific meals, offering carb-conscience, vegan and gluten free options. Vegetarians will love the garlic roasted brown Mushroom Burger, with charred spinach and goats cheese (R155). I absolutely loved this dish and the combination of the smokey flavour of the mushrooms and charred spinach with the tart, bold flavours of the goat’s cheese. I also got the chance to try a selection of low-carb sushi made with cauliflower rice and was blown away by how good it was. Even those who aren’t following a gluten free diet will love this offering; it tastes so close to the real thing that you won’t even notice there’s no rice in there (scout’s honour)! The great news is you can change any sushi on the menu to cauliflower rice – just add R12 per portion.
Speaking of Asian delights another must-try on the new summer menu is the Dim Sum offering. I got the chance to try the Pork cha sui baau (R65 for 3), shiitake wild Mushroom pot sticker (R65 for 3), and the Prawn toast (R95 for 3). The Prawn toast was a real winner for me – these delicious crunchy bites offer a punchy seafood flavour and are beyond moreish. The Pork cha sui baau was also beautifully fluffy and bursting with flavour. If you’re a fan of Dim Sum then you can’t go wrong with having a few bites from the Shimmy menu. Enjoy them as a snack, starter, or even a main meal with your sushi.
If it’s meat you’re after then you will be thrilled to hear that the restaurant has also installed an indoor braai, especially for this new menu, and meat lovers can expect perfectly cooked flame grilled meat on their plates this summer. For starters, you can’t go wrong with the red eye robata Grilled Lamb and rosemary skewer (served with purple fig and tzatziki – R80). Paired with the tzatziki dip, these juicy lamb skewers will make you dream of a summer holiday in the Med. If it’s something more substantial you’re after then I recommend you try the Pineapple Glazed Pork Loin Chops and crackling (served with chips – R125). This was one of the standout dishes for me -the pineapple glaze served with this dish gives the meat a succulent, sweet flavour that will leave you wanting more.
For those grabbing a bite at the pool deck you can’t go wrong with Shimmy’s Signature Baskets served with chips, sweet chilli sauce and black bean mayo. Try the Chicken Wings basket (R85), cream cheese Jalapeno Poppers (R95), or Cape Malay Chicken Samosas (R85). For something more substantial try the trio of Burger Sliders, paired with a Darling Brew’s Blood Serpent (beef, chicken and pork neck – R145). Shimmy Beach Club has paired up with Darling Brew to support Africa’s first carbon neutral beer this summer and these juicy bite-sized morsels are the ideal treat if you’re craving a burger and a brew. I also LOVED the Tuna Ceviche Tacos (served with salsa, guacamole and a spicy tomato relish – R95). It’s fresh and light and ticks all the boxes for the perfect snack on a hot summer’s day. You can also order the Tempura Fried Tofu (R90) or Salmon Ceviche (R95) tacos.
If you’ve got room for dessert then you also have to try the homemade toasted Brioche with local blue cheese, purple figs, toasted walnut and fynbos honey (R95) or the Baked Alaska with layers of hot chocolate and coffee, vanilla pod and salted caramel ice creams (R75). The toasted Brioche is a cheese lover’s dream come true and the Baked Alaska is heaven on a plate! You don’t get the chance to order Baked Alaska at many spots in Cape Town and this dessert will bring back childhood memories of eating ice cream cake at countless birthday parties. But be warned, once you’ve tried this dessert you will crave it all day every day and you WILL be back for more.
To book your spot at Shimmy Beach Club restaurant for lunch or to soak up the sun at the pool deck contact Shimmy Beach Club on info@shimmybeachclub.co.za or call 021 200 7778. For more information on bookings and events visit the Shimmy Beach Club website. You can also check out the full summer menu here.
