![]() ![]() Even though Pinotage is a cousin of Pinot Noir, the result is similar to Shiraz. Pinotage is South Africa’s signature varietal, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. If you get a chance to visit, do yourself a favor and sample some of South Africa’s superb wines made near Cape Town. “We pride ourselves in stocking a large selection to suit all tastes, and we’ve quickly developed into one of the largest sellers of cigars countrywide.” “Cigars are a massive part of what we do,” Mervis said. “This move was also driven by the fact that smoking laws became much stricter, requiring us to create a separate smoking environment with its own entrance and, as well as independent air handling units,” Mervis said.Ĭurrent laws allow 25 percent of the space to permit smoking. The bar is noted for its impressive lineup of spirits, including American whiskies. Mervis explained that in 2009, Katzy’s relocated to where it is now as a result of demand and expanded. ![]() The whole idea is that you enjoy yourself. If you want to take your own, you’re more than welcome, as Katzy’s does not impose a cutting charge. The well-stocked humidor held the cigars beautifully and they smoked well. 2, Petit Edmundo, Edmundo and Open Eagle Cohiba Siglo II, VI and Robusto a Romeo y Julieta Churchill, Petit Churchill, Short Churchill and H. In between are the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 was set at about $46 and a Cohiba Behike BHK 56 would run you about $128 here. The cigars in the humidor, most of them Cuban, are not inexpensive, but not out of line for lounge prices. 5 (about $22) and a Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto (about $31) for a quick smoke. Dessert was out of the question, but a double espresso and Cuban cigars made for an excellent finish. We had crispy fries with it and added some excellent fried onion strings. The grilled halloumi cheese in lemon and herbs ($6.60) was perfectly browned, while the nicely grilled grass-fed rib eye ($19.60) was 14 ounces and very shareable for lunch. dollar, prices are reasonable throughout South Africa. With the exchange rate at about 12 South African rand to the U.S. Start with the king prawns, three giant exemplars served with drawn butter and lemon for 169 South African rand (about $14). First, a coil of freshly warmed, crusty bread is served. Katzy’s offers the menu from The Grillhouse, so lunch was an aficionado’s dream. “Our idea was to create a comfortable environment for the discerning guest to start their evening with a good whiskey or cocktail, and then to end their evening after dinner at The Grillhouse with a nightcap-typically a good Cognac-and a cigar.”Īdorning the walls at Katzy's are several Cigar Aficionado covers, with many featuring the autographs of its celebrity subjects. “Katzy’s was born out of an idea that we had after visiting a piano lounge-cigar bar in downtown Chicago back in 2004,” explained Saul Mervis, one of the owners of Katzy’s and The Grillhouse, a reputable steak restaurant next door. Take a seat in the true lounge, next to the stage, with overstuffed leather couches and chairs and select from an impressive lineup of spirits including American whiskies like Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. The message is clear: Light up, but also drink up. Katzy’s Live-the “live” refers to the jazz acts that play on stage Wednesday through Saturday nights-has decorated its walls with Cigar Aficionado covers. Between the mall and the Hyatt Regency hotel is Katzy’s Live, and the resemblance to the American cigar bar, dark woods and all, is not accidental. In the Rosebank Mall, local stores sell African wares alongside poppier brands such as Krispy Kreme, KFC, Burger King and Nike. Rosebank is a modern suburb on the north side of Johannesburg, an affluent and growing commercial and residential enclave. Johannesburg sits in the middle of the province of Gauteng (Dutch for “place of gold”) and was founded in 1886 after the precious metal was discovered there. Located in The Firs, an indoor gallery of high-end shops and restaurants, Katzy’s Live is the city’s premier cigar lounge, the kind of establishment that used to be more easily found in the United States of the 1990s. After six days on safari in the eastern part of South Africa and smelling the, um, “natural” aromas of the wild and all its creatures, arriving at Katzy’s Live in Johannesburg was a pleasure.
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