SUNSET BITES AND COCKTAIL DELIGHTS
BOASTING A PRIME OCEANFRONT ADDRESS AT THE POPULAR DOUBLE SIX BEACH, THE CASUAL FINE DINING CHEZ GADO GADO IS LOVED FOR ITS PAN-MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE BESIDE AN UNSURPASSED BACKDROP OF THE SEASIDE STRETCH.
The venue bears a classic vibe, glowing with an aura of island magic and seducing the palates of both young and old. By day, the restaurant teems with sun worshippers taking a refreshing and scrumptious break from the midday heat, and when daylight begins to fade for that all-important sunset, the in-crowds pour in for a taste of Chez Gado Gado’s sundown sustenance – the Sunset Bites menu and its signature cocktails.
Let’s Set The Scene
Sitting back on the timber deck, a soft ocean breeze brings the sweet essence of vanilla from a nearby candle. In front of me, the molten-gold sun is teasing the crown of the horizon, coloring the skies with candy pinks and fiery oranges. As daylight wanes, delicate tree lights ignite the evening’s ambiance, and the contemporary feel of the restaurant transforms into a more passionate and exotic environment, prompted by rich engraved woodwork and the warm glow of the ever sinking sun. Tempting plates of bite-sized treats garnish my table, surrounded by dazzling cocktails and enthusiastic taste buds ready to dig in.
The Taste
The Sunset Bites menu offers delicious little morsels to pick and nibble at, never having to take your eyes off of the melting sun if you so choose. Try the Kalamata olives or the impressive cheese board for a simple snack, or indulge in the blanket of subtly spicy Iberico chorizo, served alongside buttered toasted bread for a straightforward yet exquisite Spanish bite. Round it off with a traditional Sangria, made with either red, white or sparkling wine, and finished with floating pieces of pineapple, strawberry, watermelon and mango.
My favorite dish is a specialty from the chef’s homeland. Dutch-native Executive Chef Quib introduces the beef “bitterballen”; marinated beef cheek deep-fried in breadcrumbs, forming perfect bite-sized spheres of hearty sustenance designed to dip into the accompanying creamy Dijon mustard. The meat is incredibly succulent, falling apart with every bite and blending with the rich, gravy-like sauce. Match with the Rosella “Teani” cocktail – a mix of gin and a sweet rosella tea leaf. The taste is light and delicate, complementing the full flavors of the bitterballen. As I sip on the cherry-red concoction, I imagine that this is what rose petals would taste like – subtle and dainty notes, exuding a sense of luxury.
The juicy prawns were also a highlight; cooked in a sumptuous garlic butter, which is drizzled into little craters that resemble small eggcups, with the succulent crustacean submerged within. The Spicy Sunset cocktail makes for a flavorful marriage, elegantly served in a tall champagne glass and dressed with a twisted lime wheel. A whisper of sweet honey can be tasted alongside the subtle spices of ginger, concealing its vodka base. This is dangerously easy to drink, and incredibly moreish. If only sunset lasted all night…
