If you have an appetite for escapades and are keen to try new
things, the usual restaurant franchises provide little relief from this
intrinsic yearning of the adventurer.
From pizza to pastas, sushi to grills, burgers to prawns, to
curries and cocktails, welcome to new experiences…
Gone are the evenings that are spent begging the questions of
where to eat, what to do, what do you feel like eating? This is part 1 of a 3
part dining series that will provide you with fresh insight into some of the
popular culinary locales in and around Durban & Johannesburg.
Don't even plan it, just go.
So make sure you bookmark this page for quick
access! You're welcome.
(Please feel free to leave a comment below of
your personal experience with these establishments)
Prawn Shack
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| Prawn Shack |
As the name suggests, this rustic lodging located near the
Amatikulu Estuary on the KZN north coast offers a unique culinary experience.
This isn’t the place for the prissy or the sissy. The caipirinha is the signature drink of
this establishment and is served as a complimentary welcome drink. This is a
place for the open-minded, offering a 7-course buffet style menu known as the
“Lazy Lunch”, due to the amount of time it takes to get through! (Approximately 5hrs).
Honestly, I did come expecting prawns the size of my head but was sorely
disappointed. The prawn soup was by far
the best of the lot. Also served up was a prawn salad, prawn bunny (A hash of
spices with a small burn, quite an insult to a curry)… but palatable. Grilled
prawns on an open braai which were good but could’ve been better. Dessert
consisted of camerbet… which I realized how much I dislike. I must point out
that this place is more about the drive, the bohemian vibe and the social
experience rather than just the food. The bar has a nice touch with playground swings instead of formal
seating. I suggest coming along with good company;
people that know how to have fun regardless of context.
Service is extremely friendly and they add a nice personal touch
to the entire experience albeit at the cost of efficiency. Half-way through the
day all patrons are escorted down to the beach to walk off a bit of those extra
servings. This is an ‘all you can eat’ experience but taste testing is about as
much as you’ll be willing to do for some of the dishes.
Damage: 160pp (7 "courses")
Contact
Details: 084 737 6493
Note:
Prawn Shack is a cash free zone so be sure to take along your debit/ credit
cards
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| La Casa Nostra |
This ‘little piece of Italy’ located in Umdloti is an authentic
old fashioned Italian trattoria. A family run restaurant, who also own Bel
Punto (next review), that has all the exclusivity that such an establishment
should possess. You won’t get any sea views but the cuisine should be
distraction enough.
Next on my hit list will definitely be their calzone!
Service was good, friendly and personal. Most patrons seemed like
regulars, well acquainted with the owner. The making of an enjoyable evening
here begins with starters & a nice port (depending on your meals &
taste) with a long dragged out conversation & laughter with mains, desert
and coffee before parting.
Damage: 120 – 150
Contact: 031 568 1996
Shop
4, Whitesands Shopping Centre 1 Main Road Umdloti
Note: Operating times are not your usual
business hours and bookings are a must if you want to avoid disappointment.
Times: Lunch Wednesday - Sunday: 12:00 - 15:00
Dinner Tuesday - Sunday: 18:00 - 22:00
Open every day in Season and Mondays
on Long Weekends
Bel Punto
Bel Punto is the sister restaurant to La Casa Nostra, also in the
Umdloti Village. The evening ambience is bolstered by the soft lighting which
pales into triviality when compared to the option of sitting on the deck. This
is a modern, casual, chic establishment with a contemporary feel and
outstanding panoramic sea views no matter where you are seated. Bel Punto
stands out because of venue. Lunch here supersedes dinner, not in menu but in
ambience.
Service is friendly and astute. There have been odd instances of
disappointment in certain food items at both Bel Punto & La Casa Nostra,
but this is to be expected with exclusive restaurants that don’t churn out
dishes like a franchised production line. The steak fillet definitely ranks
right up there with Beira Alta & Butcher Block. The à
la carte selection is sparse but whatever you choose you’ll be left satisfied,
more often than not. Trust that I will not lead you astray!
Bel Punto is a definite style point earner for a date, thoughtful
outing & even a business luncheon.
Damage:
120
Contact:
031 568 2407
Umdloti Centre 1 South Beach
Road, Umdloti
Note:
Bookings are essential!!
The Bamboo Lounge
This remarkable little sushi lounge located in the heart of
Umhlanga ranks in at #1 on my current list of sushi places. Some have suggested
Aqua at Sibaya but I think it would be cheaper for me to fly to Japan and back
for dinner.
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| Bamboo Lounge |
A must try are the cucumber rolls; battered & fried prawn
encompassed with rice, cucumber & a small dollop of mayo. It’s the best
thing the Japanese have come up with after Nintendo & Godzilla.
With their lunch time
special this place also has excellent value for money, second to none. When you
consider the cost of individual plates, R65 is dirt cheap. I must stress, due
to the popularity of the lunchtime special, bookings are essential.
Damage: R65pp Uncapped! A.k.a, All you can eat lunch
special Mon - Fri (11:30 am – 15:30pm) Includes 1 free drink.
- Normally R110pp Uncapped -
Includes 1 free drink.
- ½ Price on all take- away Sushi
Contact:
031-561 2705
48 Protea Mall 17 Chartwell Drive Umhlanga
Rocks (Next to Wimpy)
Beach Bums
For a coastal city, Durban and its surroundings have few quality
dining and entertainment options with a sea view or beach vibe. This is where
Beach Bums rise above the rest.
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| Beach Bums |
Their motto “Forever Chilled” gives a good indication of the vibe
that you can expect. It’s very laid back and tropical accompanied by decent
background music .
The menu offers a wide selection of dishes. The Moroccan chicken
burger, peri-peri chicken and line fish are worth a try. The pizzas are also
noteworthy despite this not being a pizzeria.
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| Abandoned house |
Service aside, you will not find another place with bar &
restaurant facilities situated so close to a beach (literally on the sand) that
allow a safe family atmosphere.
Chilling on the beach & taking poser photos at the neighboring
abandoned house is a must!
Without a doubt, this is still one of my favourite places in
Durban that I will continue to frequent on every visit to the province.
Damage: 80
Contact:
+27 32 943 1132
65 Casuarina Beach, Westbrook
Special
acknowledgment must be made to the following people (in no particular order)
who made each and every dining experience a pleasurable one.
Theesan Muruvan Prasantha Ramsamy
Tarryn Govender Kitrishia Naidoo
Jared Manickum Ashlina Ramdutt
Sairushka Naidoo Joelene Jetnarayan
Denushka Naidoo Ian Naidoo
Ryan Fernandes Thiruven Naidoo
Sanolia Naidoo Deevaksha Viranna
Akira Ramdhial Jessemaine Manickum
Shalin Naidu Lavania
Joseph
Kavudh Panday Devesh Lakman
Kavona Pillay Shaheev Parthab
Lashistha Pillay Kavir Lutchmiah
Sumaya Ismail Tiffany Thumbiran
