WHAT'S COOKING
DECEMBER 2020
My Summer
17
LEMONICIOUS REACHES FOR THE SKY L ocation, location, location… it can’t get any better than this! Situated in the Clock Tower of Village Square at the Hermanus Waterfront, the Sky Bar at Lemonicious commands sweeping sea views across Walker Bay that will leave you dizzy with delight.
This prime location had been standing empty for quite a while until Anke and Thys Deyzel, the owners of Lemonicious one floor below, decided it was an opportunity too good to pass up. Already well known for their excellent seafood and sushi, they have spent the past few months completely revamping the premises above their restaurant and turning it into a chic cocktail and sushi bar. The speciality sushi menu has been developed by the Lemonicious sushi wizard, Chef Jaylor Bonayon, and includes tasty, innovative creations such as Chirashi Dynamite, Salmon Belly Delicacy, Prawn Inside Out and Dragon Roll. Fans of this traditional Japanese cuisine will be in sushi heaven and are sure to discover new contemporary favourites they’ve never experienced before. The same can be said of the signature cocktail menu, which offers an array of enticing concoctions with locally-inspired names such as Secret Mermaid, Float the Boat, Whale Tail and Prickly Cactus. The face behind all the liquid refresh-
ments is mixologist and bar manager, Chrystal Lötter. “The whole project has been a team effort,” say owners Anke and Thys, who both rolled up their sleeves and tackled much of the revamp themselves. “We’ve had wonderful support and input from all our hospitality colleagues. Hermanus is a truly exceptional town with real community spirit. Especially since the pandemic hit us, everyone has stood together and helped one another out in every way possible.”
It’s remarkable what Thys and Anke have achieved since taking over Lemonicious (previously Lemon Butta) only 15 months ago. Neither had run a restaurant before – Anke studied law and ventured into the property business, while Thys has a background in the motor vehicle industry – and Anke jokes that it’s been like a year-long workshop for them. “We learn something new every day, be it about wine, graphic design, carpentry or electrical work,” she laughs. To call them multi-taskers is certainly an understatement! Now that their vision, creative energy and hard work has culminated in the opening of the Sky Bar at Lemonicious, this exceptional venue is ready to welcome guests between 11:00 and 23:00 daily. Call 028 312 3611. – Hedda Mittner
PHOTOS: Gillian Coetzee
