EXOTIC DRINKS AND FAMILIAR FOOD

News Café sticks with a trusted recipe for success for the party animals at Sun City. Susan Reynard checks out the offering.

The 16th News Café restaurant, a food and beverage franchise established by Fournews Developments, has opened at Sun City. It is the fourth opened by franchisee Select Service Partner (SSP) and the second at a Sun International property, the other being at Sugar Mill Casino in Durban.

Able to accommodate 220 people, the latest News Café consists of a cocktail bar and restaurant in the Entertainment Centre at Sun City in space that used to house the Curry Tavern. In accordance with anti tobacco legislation, an enclosed area has been established for smokers.

The décor of the new look News Café represents a move away from the traditional classical feel to a more modern linear internal structure. The wood of the original News Café has been maintained through the solid wood bar top and lean rail, but a new metallic feel has been introduced with stainless steel and copper fixtures, such as the boxes with floated glass shelves that form the basis of the back-bar detail.

The back of house area is now highlighted and customers have a view of the liquor storeroom and keg room through large glass panes.

A coffee bar area with its own identity and space has been created to cater for customers popping in for coffee and cake.

A selection of over 50 cocktails ensures there is something to suit all tastes. Prices range from R7 to just under R28. The menu is divided into six categories: Giant Coolers, Frozen, Creamy, Classics, Fruity Favourites, Virgin Cocktails, Shooters, and Party Liquid (two double shooters).

Names range from the innocent - Chocolate Snow Bear (Cacao Liqueur, Galliano, Amaretto and ice cream, decorated with a chocolate Flake), to the risqué - Slow Comfortable Screw (Smirnoff Vodka, Southern Comfort, Gilbey's Gin with orange juice and a dash of Galliano and Amaretto), to the bizarre - Screaming Fetus (rum and raisin flavoured shooter).

The traditional cocktails are also featured, such as Margaritas, Daquiris and Martinis. A range of different shaped glasses and decorations enhance the visual appeal of the colourful and tasty cocktails.

On the food menu, the offerings range from breakfast to late night snacks. Patrons can choose from a simple croissant with butter and jam at R7,50 to a rump skewer served with BBQ sauce and chips for R41,95. Platters of finger foods are also available to accompany the cocktail menu. Vegetarian items are highlighted.

Tommy Williams, F&B manager at the News Café Sun City summed up the menu when he said: "We keep the drinks exotic and the food familiar".

Staff employed at News Café are trained at The Bar Academy run by Bar Logic, also a division of Fournews Developments. Part of their training includes flair bar skills, the theatrical art of throwing bottles juggler style to entertain customers.