ArtSpoken & Reviews
Another important addition to the familyPeter Feldman11/26/2009 09:27:20 
Peter Feldman: The glamorous new four-star Southern Sun Hyde Park Hotel was officially opened last night with a glittering party that included the who's who of Gauteng glitterati. With a great opener of French bubbly and oysters for arriving guests, the party was staged on the lifestyle level where celebs, media personalities and captains of industry mingled, tasted Asian and Italian delicacies and sipped a wide range of creative drinks. A braai and a DJ on the pool deck, which has a spectacular view of Sandton and Randburg, was abuzz with beautiful people. Those spotted included Joost and Amor, Lee-Ann Liebenberg and her new man Nicky van der Walt, Deon Chang, Carte Blanche's Derek Watts, Ed Jordan, ex-Miss SA Kerishnie Naiker, Talk Radio 702's Redi Direko, swimming champ Roland Schoeman and Basetsana Kumalo of Top Billing. The 132-room hotel - another important addition to Southern Sun's growing family - is at the hub of the northern suburbs and ideally placed to become one of Johannesburg's lifestyle destinations of choice. Located at the prestigious Hyde Park Shopping Centre, the hotel effortlessly combines convenience with class, as is reflected the moment guests enter the elegant lobby located at ground floor level close to the dedicated, secure undercover parking. General Manager Noël Macquet says: "Most world class hotels have at least one superior, highly reputable restaurant - and we aim to make Southern Sun Hyde Park the foodies' ‘destination of choice' in Johannesburg, where guests and clientele create and enjoy memories to savour. We strive to set ourselves apart from other hotels, and the culinary offering constitutes one way of achieving this." To accomplish this objective Southern Sun Hyde Park has engaged two outstanding chefs, each heading up an expert team in a world-class restaurant. The globally renowned Bice Ristorante - the first in Africa - will satisfy the palettes of haute cuisine enthusiasts. Head chef of Bice, Daniele Fabris, offers patrons some of the finest Italian food and delicacies. First established as a neighbourhood Italian trattoria in Milan in 1926 by Beatrice (Bice) Ruggeri, the restaurant blueprint has achieved global recognition. The Bice Ristorante Group now comprises 40 restaurants throughout the world. Fabris brings with him experience from Milano, Brussels and London as sous chef and chef de partie of several celebrated restaurants including the legendary Annabel's Club. He is suitably skilled to deliver Bice's famous, authentic recipes - ones that keep customers returning time and time again, like the veal ravioli, tortellini with truffles, and a delectable combination of pasta with lobster. For those who enjoy Asian culinary art, the stylish Daruma Sushi and Tempura Bar offers lunch and dinner under the precision of head chef Goda Katsumi. With expertise acquired from several Japanese restaurants across Thailand, Guam, Malaysia, Saipan and Japan, Katsumi's skill and meticulousness will ensure the continued legacy of Daruma, which first started at Southern Sun's Sandton Sun Hotel many years ago and has since become known for its superb Japanese cuisine, service and atmosphere. Guests can also relax by savouring something a little more sublime in the exclusive whiskey and cigar bar. There is also a pool deck - the perfect spot for cocktails while enjoying the impressive panoramic views. Chic characterises the bedrooms. In addition to gorgeous, panoramic vistas, and all the amenities - from private bathroom with shower, air-conditioning, Satellite TV channels, DVD player, high-speed Wireless internet access, mini bar, and tea/coffee making facilities - each room also encompasses the first ever media-hub to be installed in a South African hotel. For guests this means seamless technological integration. When connected via VGA cable, the television automatically detects a laptop. Guests can charge any USB based device and dock iPods, iPhones and MP3 Players, as well as view digital recordings. The bedrooms are luxurious yet remain uncomplicated, adorned by unfussy, complementary furniture in harmonising, rich colours. Upon entering the bedrooms one feels a sense of lavish, calmness intertwined with discerning comfort. As with all Southern Sun Hotels facilities, the design is disabled friendly, with areas and surfaces ensuring easy access. The hotel includes one bedroom for disabled guests, which is designed to facilitate luxury for them. For the fitness conscious, there is a pool as well as a fully-equipped fitness centre located on the top level, also providing stunning views. Two boardrooms and a function room will cater for executive business meetings and events. Conveniently located adjacent to the Hyde Park Shopping Centre, the hotel offers guests some retail therapy as well as a variety of restaurants, coffee shops and cinemas. This destination is bound to become even more popular. Peter Feldman has been a journalist and arts critic for over 45 years and served on The Star in various capacities for 35 years, ending up as a specialist writer on films, music and theatre. During that time he travelled extensively on assignments and interviewed many international film and pop stars, both in South Africa and overseas. He also covered some of South Africa's biggest film and musical events. He is active in the freelance field and his work over the past 10 years has appeared in a variety of South African newspapers and magazines. He writes regularly for Artslink.co.za, The Citizen, South African Jewish Report, The Sunday Independent and is a contributor to "Eat Out" Magazine. He also contributes movie reviews to Chai fm Radio and has worked on TV in his specialist capacity. Over the years Feldman has been the recipient of several awards for his contribution to music journalism and the SA record industry. He wrote lyrics for some top artists, including Sipho Mabuse, and had a hit disco single, "Video Games," which was released in 1988. After retiring from The Star in April, 1999, Feldman joined the PR and events management company, Dlamini Weil Communications, where he currently works as an entertainment and media consultant. Web site: http://www.southernsun.com
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