It’s certainly an icy winter in Cape Town, and with the Rand dipping as much as the mercury, Den Anker restaurant at the V&A Waterfront is treating customers to a warming Belgian feast that’s not only easy on the wallet but gives back to the community too.
“We’re calling our winter menu Experience Belgium, because with the current exchange rates, not as many South Africans are able to travel abroad this July holiday, so it gives them the perfect opportunity to taste a piece of Europe – at home!” says Den Anker General Manager Rejeanne Vlietman. “We’ve also just renovated our interior and installed a brand-new two-sided fireplace, so Den Anker is promising to become Capetonians’ go-to destination for cozy fire-side dining while enjoying the magnificent views of the Table Mountain and the harbour.
Den Anker still supports the 16 soup kitchens they started working with during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021 they also provided meals to hundreds of students who were left ‘’homeless’’ following the UCT fires. In keeping with Den Anker’s ethos of corporate social responsibility, the restaurant has partnered with the non-profit organisation StreetSmart South Africa, who do invaluable work in sheltering and feeding Cape Town’s street children by giving diners the opportunity to add R5 – or more – to their restaurant bill. “The winter special gives customers a tasting board including three dishes and two Belgian beers for R225, of which R25 goes directly to StreetSmart,” says Vlietman. “We recognise that our customers often want to help give back but have no idea where to start. The cool thing about StreetSmart is that it gives the customer a tangible, immediate way to participate.”
“StreetSmart is a really easy way for diners to give responsibly, as 100% of the money donated at the restaurant goes directly to support vulnerable children in the community where the donations are collected,” says StreetSmart vice chairman Jenny Stricker. “We’re thrilled that Den Anker is leading the charge in getting visitors to the V&A Waterfront involved in making a significant difference to the lives of kids living on Cape Town’s streets.”
“Our heart very much lies with our local communities,” says Vlietman. “We are trying to be instrumental in making things better for people in Cape Town that have few options at the moment. Den Anker has really benefited immensely from the uptick in tourism and the fact that Capetonians have been incredible in supporting the V&A since the pandemic, so we believe strongly in giving back through these types of programmes.”
In continuation of Den Anker’s almost 30-year tradition of offering its patrons consistently exceptional food and service, their Experience Belgium special promises to pull out all the stops. The tasting board will include the restaurant’s signature bitterballen (Dutch meatballs, to the uninitiated), their legendary steamed mussels and a third alternating dish, which could be anything from chicken vol au vent or beef stew to cassoulet or juicy sausage and ‘stoemp’ Belgian mashed potato and vegetables. Of course, all of that warming winter fare will need to be washed down with some Belgian beers, which is where the two tasting glasses of Vedett Extra White and La Chouffe come in.
“Our guests come in, we show them a Belgian experience, and they sit around a table and share a meal – food has an amazing ability to create joy within humans,” says Vlietman. “If we think about extending and sharing that joy, StreetSmart can be that conduit.”
For more information:
- Visit www.denanker.co.za
- Follow Den Anker Belgian Restaurant on Twitter @den_anker, Instagram den_anker and Facebook Den Anker.
