One&Only Cape Town to Open Ahead of Schedule on 4 April 2009

One&Only Cape Town is set to join South Africa’s culinary constellation when it opens on 4 April 2009 - a month ahead of schedule - with the launch of Gordon Ramsay’s maze restaurant alongside Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa’s first outpost of legendary Nobu in Africa.

Sol Kerzner, Chairman and CEO of Kerzner International, said, “We have a broken record in development by completing One&Only Cape Town more than four months ahead of the original schedule and are delighted that we will have the hotel open for the Easter holidays. One&Only Cape Town marks a special homecoming for me in South Africa and with Gordon and Nobu lending their talents to this project, I’m confident that this resort – with two of the finest chefs in the world - will become the ultimate gourmet retreat in South Africa.”

In the heart of the Victoria & Alfred waterfront, One&Only Cape Town features 131 rooms with captivating views of Table Mountain and the marina. The resort’s contemporary interiors were created by internationally acclaimed New York-based interior designer Adam D. Tihany with strong influence by Africa’s culture and heritage.

One&Only Cape Town will also feature an exclusive Spa Island – a haven of serenity which offers the most expansive and comprehensive spa in Cape Town.

Seating up to 170 guests, maze at One&Only Cape Town is modelled on its British namesake yet the tasting-sized dishes will evoke the bountiful flavours of the traditional recipes of South Africa. The restaurant will showcase the best in local seafood and game as well as fresh produce from organic South African farms. Jason Atherton will develop the full menu concept and oversee the standards of service. Jason was awarded a Michelin star for maze in 2006 after only seven months of opening and was the first British chef to complete a stage at Spain’s famous El Bulli restaurant. maze will be home to the country’s largest and most innovative collection of South African wine - housed in a magnificent tri-level wine loft. Over 6,000 bottles of South African wine from vintages of Cape Pinotage and Shiraz to both acclaimed and undiscovered South African vintages will be on offer.

Gordon Ramsay said, “maze is perfectly suited for South Africa and it’s a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with Sol and the One&Only brand. With Jason overseeing the standards, I fully expect this will quickly become another of our successful and sought-after restaurants.”

Guests are invited to a visual feast in the restaurant’s open kitchen which will be ideal for show grilling and roasting. The kitchen will also feature an ‘American’ imported broiler, which exposes steaks to a temperature of 650ºC, a signature trait of the maze style cuisine.
World-class master chef Nobuyuki ‘Nobu’ Matsuhisa will bring his innovative blend of classically styled Japanese cuisine incorporated with fresh South African seafood and indigenous spices to create unique dishes such as toro tartare, rock shrimp and scallops in yuzu sauce, and mochi ice cream.

Upon entering Nobu, simple creative sushi and sashimi menus can be sampled over exclusive Hokusetsu sake, a Japanese beer or a unique shochu-based cocktail in the sake-sushi bar lounge. A metal fan-like staircase leads to the 104-cover main dining area and sushi counter, framed by a textured, translucent origami light fixture crawling along the ceiling throughout. Here, guests can dine on broiled black cod with miso, baby abalone in a light garlic sauce, toro taban yaki and fresh yellowtail sashimi with Japapeño.

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