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It was like digging for coal and finding gold completely
by chance. It’s not quite a restaurant
or a café, or a club, nor an art gallery; it’s more like a dinner club or a
jazz club, or all of these things rolled into one. And as far as I know, Joie de Vivre doesn't advertise, it’s all word of mouth, and that’s how I first heard about it, from
one of my Warwick
contacts who told me that the hottest local buzz was that this is somewhere really
special. Somewhere different. Somewhere I had to experience.
I didn’t waste any time, I high tailed it over to King Street to the
century old building with the charming façade and found the shop I was looking
for and it was closed. I was standing
out the front writing down the contact number when the door opened and the most
excited person I have met in a long time practically dragged me inside to have
a look around. The large room was tastefully
decorated in a bohemian artsy style with paintings, sketches and Moulin Rouge
play bills adorning the walls. The
mismatched tables and chairs only added to the charm and feel of the place.
"Jazz Aperitif"
The lady was no other than the proprietor Deeny
Kohler-Caporale. She speaks with a
mysterious accent I couldn’t quite place (is it French? Is it Brazilian? Who
cares?), and an enthusiasm for music, art, food and people that is so infectious I
couldn’t wait to book a table. She was
so sorry that I had missed her Edith Piaf night that was a rousing success but
not to worry as there is a jazz and tapas night coming up and I wouldn’t want
to miss that.
Deeny held my attention so easily with her flamboyant way of
expressing herself. Of course we will
come to the jazz and tapas night. Just
try to stop me. It turns out that joie
de vivre is only open one night a week to the public and caters to private
functions a couple of nights a week.
It’s rather exclusive but that’s how Deeny wants it. Every night has to be special to her patrons. She focuses all of her passion into her
weekly soirees
And that’s what we found when we arrived for the jazz
night. The atmosphere was amazing. Every seat was taken and we were seated with
other couples who were equally impressed with the swinging jazz
atmosphere.
“Jazz Aperitif” is a three piece Darling Downs jazz band
that were grooving away in the front of the restaurant and they are a tight
unit to be sure. It was great
entertainment just to watch the drummer paradidling around the rim of his bass
drum and skimming the edge of his cymbals and the double bass player worked his
way around the huge fret board. The
piano player created the wonderful jazz melodies that had toes tapping and bodies
rocking in their chairs.
Deeny took the microphone to welcome everyone and say a few
words about the upcoming tapas dishes that would be soon making their way to
our tables, but we were gobsmacked when she called out a time to the band and
broke into song. We were treated to a brilliant rendition of Ella
Fitzgerald’s At Last followed by a Nat King Cole and then a Ray Charles classic. My goodness the room was in awe of the
extraordinary talent of Deeny Kohler-Caporale.
The night had well and truly begun under the dim lights of
the chandeliers with the wine flowing and the jazz pumping. Plates of wonderful food magically appeared
on each table and continued to be passed around among the laughter and
frivolity. Pastries and patties, gourmet
meats and exotic dips with toasted flat bread.
There was more music, more food and wine, more laughter and more
applause. The hours flew by and the
guests were wanting more, more, more.
What a great night.
It’s easy to look back and see that Joie de Vivre is a
massive success and cherished nightspot in Warwick .
The jazz nights are mixed with foreign movie dinning nights, Philosophy
nights, Book readings and art appreciation nights amongst other creative events. All highlighted with Tapas, French, South
American and other beautiful cuisines and of course the ever effervescent
personality of Deeny Kohler-Caporale as your host.
Deeny’s “Joie de Vivre” is all about art, food, and
music. It’s all about love and people.
It’s all about “The Joy of Life”.
Don’t forget that Joie de Vivre café is open during the week
so you can come and have some lunch, a cuppa and a delicious home made desert with Deeny
anytime. Deeny has a couple of fantastic
jazz nights planned during the Warwick “Jumpers and Jazz in July” festival, so
book early. You won’t be disappointed. Oh, and look her up on Facebook.
Bon Appetite
Karl
