Family first at Villa Funchal
I have been off the food critique scene for a while now, so it was extremely fun for me to get back into the swing of things and test out Villa Funchal, a family restaurant that has been a mainstay in Benoni for 17 years.
My always hungry colleague Kevin and I set out to tantalise our taste buds with some good, old-fashioned Portuguese grub.
On entry we were greeted by our lovely waitress, Bianca, who was efficiently courteous, positively friendly and impressively knowledgeable about the menu.
This set the tone for a delightful afternoon in the spacious, shady outside area, where happy children enjoyed the various facilities on offer in the kiddies’ area.
I have always proclaimed that I know my Portuguese food pretty well, especially chicken flatties, so it was basically second nature for me to order the Peri Peri Half-chicken, while Kevin opted for the Beef Espetada.
The meals come with the option of a hearty portion of chips, green salad or the typical Madeira side dish, Milho Frito (you can even combine them).
Add some of the homemade Villa Funchal Portuguese sauce to your chow and you are guaranteed to take your taste buds on a wild ride.
My colleague was impressed with his Espetada and stated that “it was cooked exactly how I wanted it”.
My chicken was definitely pleasing and a good size for half a bird.
I was full for like three days after munching it.
I think one thing that makes Villa Funchal unique is that it is purely family-orientated and a wonderful setting for the munchkins to run around and have outright fun in the big garden.
The Benoni born-and-bred owner Kevin Helena also plays a huge role in making guests feel welcome, comfortable and a part of the family.
His friendliness and obvious passion for what he does is quite tangible and he is a real delight to converse with.
I think next time I will go for the crumbed pork chops the boss man suggested to me.
The Villa Funchal kitchen is open daily from 11am to 4pm and I am informed that the restaurant is the place to be on Sundays, when a band creates a relaxing ambience while you eat.
Overall, an enjoyable afternoon was experienced at Villa Funchal and I will certainly be returning.
LG
