After twelve years, Belthazar Grill & Seafood Restaurant & Wine Bar at the V&A Waterfront – offering an award-winning meat and seafood extravaganza, ‘the biggest wine by the glass bar in the world’, panoramic views and a noble social responsibility initiative – has undergone a total refurbishment.
Major refurbishment
“As the market changed and evolved, we were inspired by the quintessential New York Art Deco scene together with a contemporary feel more congenial to women as well, unlike the ‘old ‘style’ steakhouses that were predominantly designed and shop-fitted in dark texture woods. You always have to keep abreast with the latest trends – taste profiles, service or architectural style – and keep upping your standards, reinventing yourself to remain a step ahead”, says Ian Halfon, Co-owner of Belthazar Restaurant and Wine Bar, and MD of the Slick Restaurant Group which also owns Balducci, Gibson’s Gourmet Burgers & Ribs and Walter’s Steakhouse at the V&A Waterfront.
Art Deco takes its roots in sophistication, elegance and luxury and the new-look Belthazar is all of that. Following a minimalist theme there is a strong component of neutrals and soft muted colours as well as brass, bronze and copper metallic finishes and trims. Expect solid oak timber features, sleek lines with geometric shapes, soft and plush leather upholstery, Quartz Calacatta countertops, decorative plaster finishes and beautiful lighting.
Belthazar’s trademark ‘wine warehouse look’ and 5-metre long bar with the biggest nitrogen-infused tap unit in the world serving 250+ premium wines by the glass, remain focal features of the redesigned restaurant. The signature bar is now splendidly clad in copper sheeting with matt bronze powder-coated rails and the floor surrounding the bar and leading into the elegant bathrooms is tiled in white hexagon mosaic. The original dark-stained pine timber flooring has been replaced with a herringbone-pattern light oak floor, a perfect backdrop for the new interior design. The bronze oak barstools, stylish rattan dining chairs and new banquette are sumptuously upholstered in cream and caramel leather. Beautifully designed New York Art Deco-style lighting, including imported custom-made wall sconces and recessed downlights, complete the scene. The new folding glass doors leading out onto the terrace bring in the light and open up the restaurant to the splendid all-weather terrace enclosure and spectacular views of the harbour and Table Mountain.
The kitchen was completely redesigned and refurbished with state-of-the-art equipment conforming to HACCAP specifications. This includes a new Robex floor with drains, the latest high-tech UVA canopies, new kitchen equipment as well as a brand-new butchery. The emphasis was on efficiency and hygiene. Refrigeration was redesigned to keep ‘the cold chain’ intact.
In the old private dining area which leads into the mall, the owners cleverly took advantage of the high-density foot traffic in the mall and opened up a new restaurant called Walter’s Local Grill which is attached to Belthazar Restaurant. Walter’s focuses on providing Capetonians with world-class steaks and BBQ fare, that have made Belthazar famous, at affordable prices in a small and cosy 35-seater restaurant. Although you will find traditional steakhouse items on the menu, Walter’s menu has a unique twist, offering popular and authentic New York-style deli items such as Hot Beef on Rye, Walter’s Famous Ruben Sandwich, Chopped Herring on Rye, Chilli Con Carne, Falafel and their signature Chicken Soup, just to mention a few.
