Executive Chef Simon Kemp recently launched the new menu at Liberty’s, the restaurant for Double Tree by Hilton Cape Town Upper Eastside. “Each dish was created over the course of last year and tested through our weekly specials, this way we were able to see which dishes were well-received and able to tweak them, others that did not sell as well did not make the grade. We then looked at our top-sellers on our existing menus and kept those,” explains Simon.

“This year I have placed more emphasis on foods that are lighter, fresher and often with more raw ingredients, as health and wellness are a huge trend in food,” Simon continues. “I can honestly say that every dish on this menu I want to eat, so it is very reflective of my tastes as well.”

“This year the focus is on exceptional flavour, exquisite appearance and ensuring a good variety of dishes to satiate all palates.” Says Simon. “Due to the diversity of our guests at  the hotel, this menu allows everyone to eat a range of styles of foods, from gourmet sandwiches to more fine dining cuisine throughout the day.” Menu highlights include starters such as sticky pork belly with wok-friend vegetable, plum and cranberry Char siu glaze and crackling and a strawberry Caprese salad with pesto and olive oil-dressed bocconcini, sweet basil leaves and balsamic strawberries. The ever-popular tapas selection includes mouth-watering dishes like spicy grilled calamari and chorizo with lemon, chilli, olives and garlic baked baguette and crayfish and prawn spring rolls, with homemade chilli jam and fresh lime. Other dishes include 5-spice pork ribs, the Proscuitto chicken breast, the Chimichurri rib eye, the Ganduja chocolate bomb and the lime and basil tropical fruit salad.

There are four gourmet burger options, and guests also have the choice of ‘building their own’ burgers with a selection of toppings and sauces to go with the 200g patty.