Location, location, location! The Brass Bell scores 100 percent in all three of the most important criteria realtors place on property. However, location has not been the only reason for the Brass Bell being the institution it has become.

Restaurants come and go and it’s not common for someone to hang on to one place for any great length of time. But the Brass Bell is 42 years old and has had the same owner for nearly three decades.

The original ground floor of the Brass Bell used to be change-rooms for bathers. In 1939, the second floor was built on and the City Council administered “European” Pavilion Tea Room was opened. The Council, however, was not known for its restaurant-business acumen and Tea Room eventually closed down and building became derelict.

In 1967 or thereabouts, a Dutchman called Frans Otten opened a restaurant called the Brass Bell. After a few years he applied for a liquor license. To finance the alterations required for the license, he took on a sleeping partner, Ralph Iorio. As so often happens the partnership didn’t work out and the Brass Bell was put up for auction. 

The two former partners were the only bidders and Ralph was successful. He owned and managed the restaurant from 1978 to 1981. Ralph was an extremely interesting person. During the Second World War he worked for the CIA. He was fluent in Russian and Italian, and was a P.W.O in Japan where the atomic bombs went off in Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

When he decided to move on, a local attorney, Tony White, bought the Brass Bell. Tony recalls how Ralph advised, “if you have a good cow that provides good milk, look after it!” So Tony sold up his practice and hopped careers to become a restaurateur.

Tony proved to have no small share of entreprenereurial flare and solid business acumen. However, the first night that Tony ran the show – no one pitched up! But he had a plan.
Friday nights became disco nights. Saturdays were devoted to promoting South African bands such as Tribe After Tribe, Johnny Clegg, Bright Blue and Wendy Oldfield. Robin Auld used his stints at the Bell to home his considerable talents. The Brass Bell became famous for the fish braai’s they put on for Sunday evenings.

It was a recipe for success and the Brass Bell has never looked back. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing though and the ideal location also created problems not experienced by inland venues. In 1986 a huge storm caused massive damage. But even worse was the follow in 1993. April the 11th was bright and clear in Kalk Bay, but in Johannesburg, Chris Hani was murdered and as the shock and sadness of that day sunk in, a massive storm ravaged False Bay the next day. Several boats were sunk in the harbor and the entire ground floor of the Brass Bell was wiped out. The storm could’ve been a portend of things to come in South Africa but, just as hope rose with the sun over False Bay and Brass Bell the following day, the miracle of the new South Africa dawned the following year. The Brass Bell was repaired and continued its popular ways.

Not a man to sit on his laurels however, Tony knew he had to keep developing and improving. As he mellowed, the wild weekends were gradually toned down and the ‘discordant’ upstairs and down stairs began to move in the same direction as the casual lower floor was upgraded to become a more satisfying but still informal venue. Over the next 3 decades he has built the Brass Bell into a world famous dining experience. The 60-seater original has developed into an approximately 600-seater venue that consists of 5 separate restaurants. There’s the flag ship Brass Bell, Captains Deck, Cabin Pub and Bistro Restaurant, the Water’s Edge & Hooters Bar, Pavilion, the vivacious Bikini Deck and the newly concepted  Izannes Fine Dining.  All the restaurants have the most amazing panoramic views.

When speaking about the Brass Bell, the Cabin Pub has to be mentioned. Although the unique swinging table hanging on the thick ropes has been removed, the Brass Bell pub has to be one of the most satisfying places to down a draught (or whatever’s your fancy) anywhere in South Africa.

Tony scores top marks for his foresight, innovation and commitment. He has owned the Brass Bell for three decades longer than any other restaurateur has been in the village. In fact, his is one of the oldest established businesses in Kalk Bay, period. It must also be stressed that the Brass Bell derives much of its character through its position within the heart of historical Kalk Bay. This little fishing village has a magical quality with its historic architecture, interesting variety of shops and cobble stone streets.

The Brass Bell remains a genuine dining experience. On top of everything else, it’s just great fun to go there. Its position on the rocks is quite spectacular and many diners hold fond memories of pleasurable times spent there. Everything about it combines to make one relax, and enjoy the views and the food.

Tony still takes nothing for granted and wants to set even higher standards for food and service offered by the Bell. The Executive Chef and the floor Managers are nothing else but innovative, passionate, approachable and excited about future developments and the opportunity to build on the legacy of Tony’s hands-on commitment in excellent management of the Brass Bell.

The Brass Bell has, perhaps, done more than anything else over the past 30 years to put Kalk Bay on the international tourist itinerary and amazingly will continue to do so.

It’s a special place.