Cafe Max Review - Relax with Dax
www.relax-with-dax.co.za
I recently reviewed Voila and Lazari on the Cape Quarter. These are pretty cool breakfast options if you’re happy to wait for a table and pay a fortune for your breakfast. Walking distance from the Cape Quarter (up the road and right along Waterkant street) is a little gem called Cafe Max, hidden on a quiet road you would not normally traverse.
Peaceful, no queue for tables, friendly and good value. This place really is a gem. I opted to sit in the al fresco area which is a similar size to inside (about 5 or 6 tables) and enjoyed the peaceful sound of the water fountain next to me. I ordered a glass of orange juice (R14) while I checked out the menu. There is the usual selection of breakfasts: Health (R35), eggs benedict (R42 with bacon, R50 with salmon), omlette (R49) and the option I went for, which was the sunshine breakfast (R29) which included coffee.
Now, let me tell you what’s in the sunshine breakfast: Two eggs, bacon, tomato, mushrooms, baked beans and toast. It was all a very generous portion and it was well prepared and served nice and hot. Let’s take a minute to compare value… Miss K down the road charges R50 for a similar breakfast plus another R19 or so for coffee, so R69 vs R29? Are you kidding? Even Cafe Sofia’s special for R25 including coffee is really half the offering of Cafe Max and about the same price.
Now here’s the kicker for those who are in the area in the morning during the week. The sunshine breakfast costs R20! It’s unbelievable value and the breakfast is actually so good and the place so nice I would eat there even if it was R50.
They are open for lunch too, with offerings such as salads, tartines and filled baguettes/croissants etc. All reasonably priced. They are only open for dinner on Thursday nights but they are available for functions. See their website for details on booking Cafe Max for functions.
The only negative I could think of was that there is no wifi, but apparently they are looking into providing that service.
Do I recommend you go to Cafe Max? No, definitely not, because if you go you’re going to find out what a little secret gem it is and you’re going to go back again and take friends and then they will go back again and take their friends and soon it will be so busy I will have to wait for a table. So I think you should stick to the Cape Quarter.
Cafe Max
Waterkant Street, Greenpoint
021 425 4102
www.cafemax.co.za
Restaurant Review: Relax at Cafe Max
Posted by Chris von Ulmenstein under Cape Town, Chris von Ulmenstein, Restaurant news, Whale Cottage Portfolio
No Comments
WhaleTales does not usually write about established restaurants, but Cafe Max is too special to not write about it, and appears to be a hidden gem that few Capetonians (except those living in De Waterkant) know about. It has been operating for close to 5 years, and is a relaxed homely friendly place, offering exceptional value for money meals, compared to the restaurants in the new nearby Cape Quarter. A review by Dax Villanueva (RelaxwithDax) was the incentive to try out the restaurant.
Owned by Anna Ridgewell, originally from Zimbabwe, and a graduate of the Silwood School of Cookery, a chef at And Beyond’s Ngala and Kwandwe game reserves, and owner of a guest house in Grahamstown, she came to Cape Town, and bought the space, previously called Cafe Maxime and housing a jewellery and coffee shop, two years ago. Anna says she is there all day, every day, and is hands-on in preparing and bringing out the food, and chatting to the guests.
The main section of the restaurant is a long rectangular room, which was set up with one long table for a function. Two exquisite Marie-Antoinette flower arrangements in beautiful silver vases attracted attention, especially brought in for an evening function. The floor has large black and white tiles, a personal favourite, and the walls are painted a silver grey with the finest hand painted blossoms on them. Three replica art deco-style mirrors dominate the room. One can step into a courtyard which is covered with a grey and white canopy, and have the benefit of fresh air, and a water feature adds a nice fresh sound-effect too. A children’s bedding shop Bubble leads from the courtyard.
The menu is printed on a laminated sheet, and offers a variety of breakfast and lunch options. Breakfasts include Eggs Benedict with ham (R59) or salmon (R69), fluffy scrambled eggs and bacon at R 52, or with salmon at R 65, tartine aux champignons at R 52, muesli and yoghurt at R 39, boiled egg and soldiers (sweet touch!) at R 25, a sunshine breakfast that offers 2 fried eggs, bacon, toast, baked beans, tomato and mushroom, at an astoundingly reasonable R 29 (if you arrive between 7h30 - 8h30, the same sunshine breakfast only costs R 20!), French toast (R 29), sweetcorn fritters with salmon, poached egg and hollandaise sauce at R 59, flapjacks at R 25, and a breakfast baguette costs R 25. The cappuccino was served in a very large cup, and perfect, costing R 15. A cute touch was honey served in a small espresso cup. A chipped stem of a water glass was not. Presentation of the egg dishes is no-nonsense, with no decoration, but it does not seem to matter.
For lunch a selection of salads (caprese and caeser, at R 45 each), smoked salmon (R 72), chicken or Burger (R 59), and chicken liver (R 45) is offered. Tartines (”flash toasted” bread), with fillings such as caprese, smoked salmon, chicken, The Max Club, The Max Burger and Chicken Burger, range in price from R 49 to R 85. Lovely breads and sweet treats (e.g. the most beautifully iced and presented cupcakes) are for sale.
For the second time in a week, a good selection of wines-by-the-glass was seen to be offered (Salt Deli too) to single wine drinkers. Cafe Max offers 12 wines, and all but one are sold by both the bottle or the glass. Pongracz, Villiera and PJ Brut are sold in a range of R 20 - R 30 per glass, and white wines range from R 15 for the De May Cenin Blanc and their Rose, and Joostenberg Viognier to R 32 for the Haute Cabriere Chardonnay and Domaine Grier Maccaben Viognier. Red wines start at an unbelievable R 15 for the Joostenberg Shiraz Merlot and MAN Vintner Shiraz to R 22 for the Stark Conde Pinot Noir.
The Cafe Max catering service was used for a Social Media Marketing workshop, and the tray of finger snacks looked and tasted amazing, and was good value.
Cafe Max, 126 Waterkant Street, De Waterkant (from Somerset Road take the road alongside PG Glass/Boardmans), and turn right into Waterkant Street to find it). Tel 021 425 5102. www.cafemax.co.za Open Tuesdays to Fridays from 7h00 - 16h00, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 9h00 - 15h00. Dinner is served on Thursday evenings, from 18h30.
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com
Café Max is open on Thursday evenings for dinner and this is a real treat. Anna works out a different menu every Thursday and then emails the details to the faithful. Always a choice of three starters, three main courses and three desserts. Thursday dinner is much sought after and booking is essential. When I spoke to her last Thursday, she was busy in the kitchen, cooking up a storm. This is really what this sexy little bistro is all about. Anna is totally involved in all spheres from buying at market to producing the food that looks so lovely when it arrives at one’s table.
Café Max lends itself perfectly for all sorts of functions. Small weddings, birthdays, corporate functions and bridal and baby showers. Anna and her team create the food that you want and decorate the space if you wish to have a theme. Another interesting aspect is that Café Max is a stone’s throw from the Cape Town Stadium. Anna has all sorts of packages available to those that might want to take advantage of the proximity to the action. You could host a private or corporate World Cup Hospitality Suite, with wonderful food and expert service provided by Anna and her team. 9 minutes walk to the stadium, and no parking hassles. Sounds good to me.
Café Max is open from Tuesday to Friday from 8am - 5pm
Saturday & Sunday from 9am - 3pm
Dinner on Thursday evenings from 6.30pm - Remember booking is essential.
Address: 126 Waterkant Street
Green Point 8005
Telephone: +27 (0)21 425 5102
Cell : +27 (0)72 197 4708
Email: cafemax126@gmail.com
Cafe Max - Boutique Bistro
Leslie Back
www.leslieback.co.za
Nestled high above Green Point in the historic De Waterkant, is the enchanting boutique bistro, Café Max. Situated in a building that once belonged to Lord Charles Somerset, it now reflects the personality of the owner Anna Ridgewell and her passion for fine food and beautiful, calm almost Zen-like surroundings.
Anna is every inch an experienced professional chef . Originally from Zimbabwe, she graduated from the Silwood School of Cookery. She was chef at ‘And Beyond’s‘ Ngala and Kwandwe Game Reserves in the Eastern Cape and then she opened and ran a five star guest house in Grahamstown at No.7 Worcester Road. Life took her on to Cape Town and Café Maxim where she was the Executive Chef from inception five years ago. In 2009, she became the owner, shortened the name to Café Max, and realised a life long dream to create an eatery that would marry the concepts of fine dining with the ease of a village bistro.
The decor at Café Max is gentle and soothing. The walls, a soft shade of grey, are decorated with hand painted pink cherry blossoms. White tables and black, white and grey chairs on a black and white tiled floor evoke a French feel. Silver candelabra and replica Art Deco mirrors complete the effect. In good weather, one can eat alfresco on a lavender lined terrace.
Originally, Cafe Maxim served Poulaine bread flown in from Paris. When Café Max was born, Anna, with the aid of Kneads Bakery, adapted the concept into a locally produced bread. They worked for days on the formula and today she will defy you to tell the difference. Tartines, slices of their signature bread, flash toasted and served with toppings, is an important feature of the menu. There is a bakery above the restaurant where all the boulangerie , crusty baguettes, delicious croissants, corn rolls, and Chelsea buns are baked on site and served oven fresh.
Breakfast at Café Max is special and best of all, it is served all day. You can enjoy Eggs Benedict, traditional poached eggs with a divine Champagne Hollandaise sauce; delicious fluffy scrambled eggs with crispy bacon and of course, the wonderfully priced Sunshine Breakfast with 2 eggs, bacon, tomato, mushrooms and baked beans and toast. My special favourite is the Tartine aux Champignons. This is a selection of mushrooms, wholegrain mustard, cream and chives on the signature bread Eugene loves the stack of flapjacks served with honey and berries in season.
Lunch at Café Max is a wonderful mixture of salads and tartines. A classic Caesar salad or a smoked salmon salad with capers and lemon crème fraiche, which I enjoyed when last we ate there. Eugene ordered a Max Burger, which is a homemade beef burger with tomato confit and avo in season. The chopped beef was beautifully served between slices of their wonderful bread. Also, do try the famous Max Club, smokey bacon, camembert, chicken with mai mai and rocket. All delicious, all lovely.
There is a blackboard on which Anna writes the specials of the day. These depend entirely on what is available fresh that day at the market. Delicious hot soups and heartier dishes for the winter months keep one warm and cosy. Delectable desserts are also on offer and the sight of exquisite patisseries emerging from their own bakery are simply too much to resist. A lovely patisserie with an excellent cup of coffee, what could be better?
Most of the wines and sparkling wines are available by the glass. When I was there last, they were printing a new wine list so we chose from a selection written on a blackboard. I love the idea of having a glass of bubbles and not having to order a whole bottle.
Café Max is open on Thursday evenings for dinner and this is a real treat. Anna works out a different menu every Thursday and then emails the details to the faithful. Always a choice of three starters, three main courses and three desserts. Thursday dinner is much sought after and booking is essential. When I spoke to her last Thursday, she was busy in the kitchen, cooking up a storm. This is really what this sexy little bistro is all about. Anna is totally involved in all spheres from buying at market to producing the food that looks so lovely when it arrives at one’s table.
Café Max lends itself perfectly for all sorts of functions. Small weddings, birthdays, corporate functions and bridal and baby showers. Anna and her team create the food that you want and decorate the space if you wish to have a theme. Another interesting aspect is that Café Max is a stone’s throw from the Cape Town Stadium. Anna has all sorts of packages available to those that might want to take advantage of the proximity to the action. You could host a private or corporate World Cup Hospitality Suite, with wonderful food and expert service provided by Anna and her team. 9 minutes walk to the stadium, and no parking hassles. Sounds good to me.
Café Max is open from Tuesday to Friday from 8am - 5pm
Saturday & Sunday from 9am - 3pm
Dinner on Thursday evenings from 6.30pm - Remember booking is essential.
Address: 126 Waterkant Street
Green Point 8005
Telephone: +27 (0)21 425 5102
Cell : +27 (0)72 197 4708
Email: cafemax126@gmail.com
