Café Roux comes to the city

Noordhoek’s popular spot has opened a new venue in Shortmarket Street which will make the festive season rock, writes Bianca Coleman

CAFÉ ROUX in Noordhoek has long been a supporter of local music and comedy, combined in a venue with great service and fabulous food. The only problem for me is it is in Noordhoek which means no drinking and driving, or selling my firstborn for the Uber there and back.

I am therefore delighted to report there is now café Roux right in my ’ hood, in super- cool Shortmarket Street. It opened last weekend, after a great launch party the night before which saw many musos taking to the stage for a couple of songs each, including Paige Mac, Donovan Copley (from Hot Water, with Anton Marshall of Three More White Guys stepping up to play drums), Majozi, and Ard Matthews. Among the audience were comedian Nik Raboniwitz, Jack Parow, and Kurt Darren. And myself, of course.

The magic of café Roux is that it is focused on the performer. You are requested to hush and listen. The sound is great and artists have a beautiful green room which is indeed decorated in shades of green. Lindi Green, one of the owners, heads up the music side of things and has done since 2013, when she began to experiment with staging weekly Wednesday Sessions. The first month saw Nik Rabi n o wi t z , Arno Carstens, Watershed & Zebra & Giraffe on the line- up. This weekly offering quickly grew into four or five nights a week and the café Roux Sessions were born, attracting an exciting and diverse line up of SA’s most popular and talented up and coming artists. “The idea to expand from Noordhoek into the city all happened very quickly – literally four months from when we got the idea until opening,” said Green.“Our audience at café Roux Noordhoek was driving from all over to watch their favourite artists perform. And the musicians were excited to play in a room that is focused on them.

“The intimate size of our two venues (each a 100-seater) guarantees a musical experience that is unique. It’s like listening in the comfort of your own home. Audiences get to hear the stories behind the songs, what happened on tour and really get to engage with the performers.

“Although similar in concept, the two venues are very different in look and feel. Noordhoek is rustic and rural and Cape Town is the sexy younger cousin. The food offering is different but keeping in line with our café Roux style – simple, unpretentious and delicious. We are so excited to bring SA’s most loved artists, together with exciting new up and coming talent, right to the heart of the city.”

The menu will change regularly showcasing a select offering of handmade craft pizzas with fresh seasonal toppings. Delicious vegan and gluten-free options will be available. For the not so hungry, cheese-and-charcuterie boards will be on offer with marinated olives, garden greens and preserves.

All shows at both venues: dinner from 6.30pm, show from 8.30pm.

Bookings: go to www.caferouxsessions. co. za or book at www. webtickets.co.za

Enquiries: michelle@ caferoux. co.za / 021 789 2538

PICTURE: LEIGH GROENEMEYER FOR TEXXANDTHECITY Majozi was one of the artists who played at the first night of the newly-opened café Roux in Shortmarket Street.

The menu features simple, unpretentious and delicious dishes.

A variety of tasty eats are available.