Café Max - Boutique Bistro

Nestled high above Green Point in the historic De Waterkant, is the enchanting boutique bistro, Café Max.   Situated in a building that once belonged to Lord Charles Somerset, it now reflects the personality of the owner Anna Ridgewell and her passion for fine food and beautiful, calm almost Zen-like surroundings.

Anna is every inch an experienced professional chef .  Originally from Zimbabwe, she graduated from the Silwood School of Cookery.  She was chef at 'And Beyond's'  Ngala and Kwandwe Game Reserves in the Eastern Cape and then she opened and ran a five star guest house in Grahamstown at No.7 Worcester Road.  Life took her on to Cape Town and Café Maxim where she was the Executive Chef from inception five years ago.  In 2009, she became the owner, shortened the name to Café Max, and realised a life long dream to create an eatery that would marry the concepts of fine dining with the ease of a village bistro.

The decor at Café Max is gentle and soothing.   The walls, a soft shade of grey, are decorated with hand painted pink cherry blossoms.  White tables and black, white and grey chairs on a black and white tiled floor  evoke a French feel.  Silver candelabra and replica Art Deco mirrors complete the effect.  In good weather, one can eat alfresco on a lavender lined terrace.

Originally, Cafe Maxim served Poulaine bread flown in from Paris.  When Café Max was born, Anna, with the aid of  Kneads Bakery, adapted the concept into a locally produced bread.  They worked for days on the formula and today she will defy you to tell the difference.  Tartines, slices of their signature bread, flash toasted and served with toppings, is an important feature of the menu.  There is a bakery above the restaurant where all the boulangerie , crusty baguettes, delicious croissants, corn rolls, and Chelsea buns are baked on site and served oven fresh.

Breakfast at Café Max is special and best of all, it is served all day.  You can enjoy Eggs Benedict, traditional poached eggs with a divine Champagne Hollandaise sauce; delicious fluffy scrambled eggs with crispy bacon and of course, the wonderfully priced Sunshine Breakfast with 2 eggs, bacon, tomato, mushrooms and baked beans and toast.   My special favourite is the Tartine aux Champignons.  This is a selection of mushrooms, wholegrain mustard, cream and chives on the signature bread   Eugene loves the stack of flapjacks served with honey and berries in season.

Lunch at Café Max is a wonderful mixture of salads and tartines.  A classic Caesar salad or a smoked salmon salad with capers and lemon crème fraiche, which I enjoyed when last we ate there.  Eugene ordered a Max Burger, which is a homemade beef burger with tomato confit and avo in season.  The chopped beef was  beautifully served between slices of their wonderful bread.   Also, do try the famous Max Club,   smokey bacon, camembert, chicken with mai mai and rocket.  All delicious, all lovely.

There is a blackboard on which Anna writes the specials of the day.  These depend entirely on what is available fresh that day at the market.  Delicious hot soups and heartier dishes for the winter months keep one warm and cosy.   Delectable desserts are also on offer and the sight of exquisite patisseries emerging from their own bakery are simply too much to resist.  A lovely patisserie with an excellent cup of coffee, what could be better?

Most of the wines and sparkling wines are available by the glass.  When I was there last, they were printing a new wine list so we chose from a selection written on a blackboard.   I love the idea of having a glass of bubbles and not having to order a whole bottle. 

Café Max is open on Thursday evenings for dinner and this is a real treat. Anna works out a different menu every Thursday and then emails the details to the faithful.  Always a choice of three starters, three main courses and three desserts.  Thursday dinner is much sought after and booking is essential.  When I spoke to her last Thursday, she was busy in the kitchen, cooking up a storm.  This is really what this sexy little bistro is all about.  Anna is totally involved in all spheres from buying at market to producing the food that looks so lovely when it arrives at one's table.

Café Max lends itself perfectly for all sorts of functions.  Small weddings, birthdays, corporate functions and bridal and baby showers.  Anna and her team create the food that you want and decorate the space if you wish to have a theme.  Another interesting aspect is that Café Max is a stone's throw from the Cape Town Stadium.  Anna has all sorts of packages available to those that might want to take advantage of the proximity to the action.  You could host a private or corporate World Cup Hospitality Suite, with wonderful food and expert service provided by Anna and her team.  9 minutes walk to the stadium, and no parking hassles.  Sounds good to me.

Café Max is open from Tuesday to Friday from 8am - 5pm
                                    Saturday & Sunday from 9am - 3pm
Dinner on Thursday evenings from 6.30pm - Remember booking is essential.

Address:  126 Waterkant Street
                Green Point 8005

Telephone:  +27 (0)21 425 5102
Cell :           +27 (0)72 197 4708
Email:           cafemax126@gmail.com

The credo of this lovely place where food and surroundings blend in perfect harmony and the atmosphere is unhurried, yet totally professional, is  Quality Food Is Never Rushed.    I cannot imagine rushing any Café Max experience.

 Eugene and I love eating out and we always pay for ourselves whenever and wherever we go