With winter in full force, it’s definitely not an easy feat getting yourself out of those slippers and baggy pajama pants, into something a bit more stylish and out in the trendy Kloof Street for dinner and drinks. But thank goodness I managed this, because I was rewarded with a night of outstanding dining and entertainment at Asoka – a place where Victorian meets contemporary in a welcoming and vibrant fashion.
The setting
Asoka is situated in the very heart of the Kloof Street strip – a place where you can eat all the world’s cuisine without walking more than about 200 meters. Yet it’s quite easy to distinguish Asoka from the rest. The old Victorian house that stood here before was kept and renovated to incorporate the classic with the modern while throwing a good dose of oriental into the mix.
The original structure conveniently divides the bar from the lounge and the smoking section. Bamboo reeds, earthy washed-walls, different styles of lamps (that have a way of matching perfectly), bright-coloured pillows and soft lounge seats allow for a warm and comfortable feel while the huge Buddha behind the bar and the tree in the middle of the lounge area give the interior a stylish twist.
The menu
Asoka prides itself on its extensive range of cocktails. You’ll find about 42 different ones, ranging from bubbly and classic to innovative and non-alcoholic. So to get a good idea – without intoxicating myself completely – I opted for a mojito and a Porn Star Martini, Asoka’s signature drink.
The mojito proved the barmen’s great capability to mix the classics and the Porn Star Martini gave them my vote for creativity. The latter consists of vanilla vodka, shaken up with fresh passion fruits, passion fruit puree and vanilla sugar served straight up with a shot of Champagne on the side – brilliant, sweet and tasty.
On the food front, they offer a wide selection of Asian flavours in their tapas, mains and desserts. What I liked about the mains was that they don’t give you too much choice. It shows their focused expertise and it makes the decision process much easier.
So: absolutely delicious Grilled Calamari that melts in your mouth and probably the least messy Chilli Poppers I’ve ever eaten – great start. For mains, I had Butter Chicken and I’ll easily recommend it to anyone. I also had a taste of the Glazed Teriyaki Beef Fillet – perfectly prepared, beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. Even the potato wedges were something special.
The entertainment
Tuesday nights are jazz nights and the fun starts at 21h00. Going for dinner at 20h00 is ideal, because then it’s chilled and fairly quiet. Just before 21h00 the town’s folk start filing in, getting drinks and finding spots in the lounge or under the fairy-lit tree. At 21h00, The Restless Natives start bopping the jazz, with intricate rhythms, some rather impressive baselines and original and catchy trumpet melodies that make your feet tap constantly without being prompted.
The rest of the week, the resident DJ’s, together with DJ Leighton, the Stoffberg brothers and DJ Cassiem create some soulful, laid-back sounds on school nights and over the weekend they pump it up just enough to make Asoka a vibey hangout and the ideal place to stop for tapas and cocktails on a classy night out.
Breakdown of a dinner for two
Mojito (times two): R48 each
Porn Star Martini: R45
Grilled Calamari: R68
Chilli Poppers: R48
Butter Chicken: R75
Roti side: R25
Glazed Teriyaki Beef Fillet: R110
Potato wedges side: R25
It’s safe to say that all of the above are absolutely delicious and worth every penny, and topped with excellent service and brilliant entertainment, this proved to be the perfect way to spend a winter’s night.
Contact
Website: www.asokabar.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 021 422 0909/ 082 775 4945
Address: 68 Kloof Street, Cape Town
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