World class Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen  has opened in Camps Bay as a summer pop-up, in the space previously known as Sunset Sessions, below the Bay Hotel on Victoria Road. It is the second branch of this Cocktail Kitchen,  its larger Waterfront Branch being the home to many Award-winning mixologists and used for bartending competitions.

Visiting Cause Effect on a busy Camps Bay Sunday, my friend Ian and I experienced a vibrant, fun, and friendly space, and were impressed with the presentation of the food and cocktail offering. It meets its electronic mantra : kinda classy, kinda hood 

Cause Effect was established by Kurt Schlechter in the Waterfront, having originally operated in  Johannesburg.  His wife Ruzaan did a fantastic job of transforming Sunset Sessions into Cause Effect in Camps Bay, adding branding, and creating an attractive structure over the bar counter, made from various types of Fynbos, much of which goes into the cocktails. An open kitchen area was already in place.

While she was busy with this project, Kurt flew off to Dubai,  setting up a Cause Effect pop-up with their award-winning mixologist David van Zyl for six weeks at the Grand Sheraton.

When we arrived, we spoke to young but energetic Manager Gabrielle Vietri, and I told her that we were coming to try Cause Effect. We chose a seat at the bar counter, and she invited us to order from the menu, while a mixologist created a cocktail from their menu for each of us:

#   The funkiest cocktail, and perfect for tourists, is the Table Mountain one, described as Joseph Barry VS (a local potstill brandy), Naartjie Spice Bitters, Rooibos Cordials, mint, and citrus soda (R129), and served in a Perspex container in the shape of Table Mountain.

#   The weirdly named Richie the Sparkle Rainbow Unicorn was made in a ceramic pig-head container with Bombay Sapphire Gin, strawberry, orgeat syrup (made with almonds, sugar and rose water), pineapple, Angustora Bitters, and topped with candy floss (R119).  Both Ian and I found it too sweet.

There are numerous other funky Superstars cocktails to sip and watch trendy passersby and cars, including Rabbits Foot, Goes Banana’s, Daisy, and Rock n Roll.

Soft drinks, coffees, fruit juices, beers, wines, and spirits are available too.

We were very surprised at the amazing presentation of the dishes we ordered, all three coming off the  anapest section of the menu :

#  salt and pepper calamari (85) – we found it to be dry until we dipped it into a pinkish tartare sauce, and to be short on the saltiness side.

#  grilled halloumi and avow with a sweet chilli sauce (R85), one of the most attractive dishes I have seen in a long time, the simplicity and colour contrast adding to the attraction of the dish

#  falafel balls filled with Brie cheese, made with chickpeas, cilantro and garlic (R85), served with a Tahini sauce. Both Ian and I did not like this dish at all.

Mussels and Springbok Caprese are also offered as canapés.  Sharing boards are offered, with a choice of Vegan (R285), chicken wings (R129/R245), and Cheese and Charcuterie (R349). Sliders can be ordered too: with Tacos and Burgers offered (R145/R159).  A green salad with feta costs R89. Dessert choice  is ‘limited: Cape Malta pudding and Chocolate Volcano, both at R89.

Breakfast is served, with offers of smash avo on toast (R69), Eggs Benedict with bacon (R89) or salmon (R145), and a Bellville Breakfast (R119).

The real star of the show however was Gabrielle, who checked up on us regularly, who entertained us by juggling oranges, and who had spurts as DJ too, performing a little dance set with her fellow waiters, a breath of fresh air. She comped the food and one cocktail, as its container had a hole in it.  We had a really great time at Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen.

 

Cause Effect Kitchen Bar, Victoria Road, Camps Bay. Cape Town. Tel 021 437-0358 www.causeandeffect.co.za  Instagram Monday – Sunday 10h00 – 22h00.

 

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whaletalesblog.com  www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide