Life Grand Cafe: Where culinary genius meets opulence

If you’ve ever set foot in any of the Life Grand Cafe restaurants, you will know that it is not love at first sight.

On the contrary, it is more of a slower and deeper connection that is sparked, one that is likely to last a lifetime.

Like the first time you saw that boy or girl who eventually became the love of your life, you first have to find out what these elegant eateries are all about. This is where opulence meets culinary genius, drizzled with the finest service around.

Life Grand Cafe has eateries at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, Hazelwood, Mall of the South, Mall of Africa and Waterfall Corner in Gauteng.

I recently attended the fifth birthday celebration of the restaurant at Waterfall Corner in Midrand and it charmed me.

This was even without me having one of their trophy cocktails such as Don’s Special (white rum, passion fruit puree, honey, lime and sparkling wine), or sipping on their selection of wine and spirits.

My relationship with this dame was then taken to the next level when we decided to go steady as she whispered sweet nothings into my ear, in the form of what she calls a “poke bowl”.

This is a dish bursting with flavours accompanied by the zestiest of combinations, including yuzu (Japanese citrus fruit), mirin (a sweet Japanese rice wine used as a condiment) and purple kimchi (a traditional Korean side dish of salted and fermented vegetables).

I was in love: a lady who knew how to caress my vegetarian taste buds.

I then somehow found myself proposing marriage to my lady, as her vegetarian pizzette was delectable. It was topped with roast pumpkin, char-grilled peppers, zucchini, rosa base, feta and basil. I had no choice but to go down on one knee.

The sweet honeymoon stage also proved to be heavenly as we celebrated our union by nibbling on the richest and soul-satisfying baklava, creme brulee and Eton mess.

Life Grand Cafe offers one of the most fulfilling relationships you will ever take a chance on. It caters to all your needs, from the delicate balance of the gourmet food and inspiring decor to the attentive staff and a venue that can host events, as well.

“Each cafe is part of a family, but it is still an individual, as there are glam elements but also not over-the-top,” Maira Koutsoudakis, chief executive of Life Group of Companies.

“To sum it up, it is probably north-south, being inspired by the two hemispheres with the south being organic and rustic while the north is more glitzy and glam, with clean lines. The designs are edgy and inviting, using only the finest materials available. We collaborate with South African artists such as Gregor Jenkin, who created our tables.

“We also commission a number of craftsmen to design and produce some of our aesthetics, to ensure we are always relevant.”

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