The Belthazar restaurant has been awarded the Platinum Fine Dining Award from American Express for the fourth time. The joint is famous for its superb grain-fed beef, the finest seafood, and an inimitable and impressive selection of wines. This honour is testament to the establishment?s consistency of quality which has stood the proverbial test of time. Over and above being a steakhouse par excellence, the extensive wine list boasts 600 highly desirable wines, including a remarkable 250 wines by the glass, served only in Riedel crystal glasses, making it arguably the largest ?wine by the glass bar? in the world.

Each year, the American Express Fine Dining Awards programme involves restaurants being reviewed by two well-reputed gastronomic gurus ? namely Victor Strugo and Lannice Snyman. Every establishment is motivated for selection according to a strict set of criteria including: decor, wine, service, ambience and overall impression. With only 72 re-awards across the country, Belthazar?s re-award is indeed a noteworthy achievement.

When handing over the Platinum re-award at a swanky affair in the stately ballroom of the One&Only in Cape Town, Lannice Snyman called Belthazar a ?trail-blazer in a country that is committed to great steaks?. The American Express Platinum Award for Fine Dining follows hot-on-the heels of Belthazar being named: Restaurant of the Year and Best Overall Service, at the 2009 V&A Waterfront Restaurant Awards ? with the Best Server Award going to sommelier Chris McDaniel for his efficiency, amicability and knowledge. These recent accolades cement Belthazar?s Eat Out 2009 rating as ?One of the Best Steakhouses? in South Africa. In addition to rave reviews in the culinary arena, Belthazar?s unrivalled wine list has made it the obvious recipient of a Diamond Award, the highest honour, at the Diner?s Club Winelist of the Year Awards.

Another feather in Belthazar?s cap this year has been an Award of Excellence received from the authoritative US Magazine, Wine Spectator. This award acclaims the establishment?s well-chosen selection of wines, and the thematic match of these to the menu in both price and style.

This year Belthazar has indisputably reinforced its authority as a leading wine bar and culinary experience par excellence. According to Lannice, the contemporary-chic restaurant is perpetually ?upping its ante? in terms of offering excellent service and providing patrons with a wide array of ?properly aged and gorgeously-prepared steaks and venison?, and Belthazar never lowers the ?stakes?.

Belthazar Restaurant and Wine Bar represents the archetypal ?best of the best? ? from delectable cuisine to fine wine to slick service carried out by expertly trained sommeliers and service ambassadors.

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