It was a late summer’s afternoon in Johannesburg. I was dead on my feet. I’d been pounding the pavements of Jozi’s mean streets for a full eight hours, cashing checks and breaking necks.

I was out of the car, and straight to my hotel room. Shoes off, aircon on full blast, lemon twist in hand, flat on my back.

Ten minutes into full stationery recovery mode, my iPhone emitted a bleep. I knew that tone.

It was a reminder.

I had dinner, in the Westcliff’s restaurant, La Belle Terrasse, with Hardiman.

I went into defcon five. This couldn’t be happening. I had already committed to a long bath, room service, and a traditional screening of Top Gun. My body wasn’t ready for this. I wasn’t ready for this, emotionally.

Until I slid that first bite of food into my mouth.

La Belle Terrasse’s chef, Klaus Beckmann, stepped out from the kitchen. He told me he had something very special planned for me, and everyone else in the restaurant that night.

What happened next was a nine-course symphony of taste bud pleasure. I’m not entirely sure what happened over the next 80 minutes, suffice to say that the sweetbreads on stewed artichoke ragout and sweet potato puree were the best I had ever tasted. I was lifted on the wings of eagles, and delivered into the warm bosom of sated satisfaction.

It was over the rooibos panna cotta that I returned from my stupor, only to get a face full of the best view in Johannesburg.

And all of a sudden, Top Gun didn’t seem that important anymore.

I strongly suggest all of you indulge in this master’s creations. Do what I do when I’m in Johannesburg and spend time at the Westcliff. It’s where you belong. Book a table for dinner and marvel at Klaus’ genius. It is a thing of great beauty and you deserve to experience it.

Go here and have a look around. You’ll feel very much at home. I know I do – www.westcliff.co.za

[Side Note: The Westcliff’s sister hotel, The Mount Nelson, turns 113 today. It was the first hotel in South Africa to offer hot and cold water. Quite mean.]