Taste of the Dolphin Coast 2015

Fish and Chip Co

Few things embody the coast like good fish and chips. The Fish and Chips Co really impressed me with their quality and consistency. They have found their groove and are producing good quality meals at extremely reasonable prices. I really enjoyed their standard fish and chips. The fish was well battered and crisp, moist and flaked beautifully. The service is always good and the staff very friendly. Food-wise there is something for everyone, they offer a wide range of seafood including some amazing combo deals. Visiting the The Fish and Chips Co is a quick and easy way to feed the whole family this festive season.

Zebro’s

Zebro’s is the first franchise of it’s kind in KZN, and they share a store with the Fish and Chip Co at the Tiffany’s Centre in Salt Rock. They have taken a winning recipe from the Fish and Chip Co for a franchise and have done it with chicken. I had their chicken burger and enjoyed every bite. There is something about chicken cooked over the coals that adds such a uniquely South African flavour. I have eaten a few times at Zebro’s since they opened and the food is so well priced, quick and convenient, combined with the a good quality product. All I need to say is you just need to try it once to see that what I mean. The menu is full of great items to suit almost everyone’s taste buds!

100% The Real Makoya

This place turned out to be a little gem especially if you are a fan of bunny chows. I know of so many holidaymakers, who as soon as they arrive in town they head off to their favourite bunny chow place to get their fix. Personally I am always on the hunt for that perfect bunny chow. I have tasted bunnies from most places that offer them on the North Coast. I find it so hard to pin down a favourite as they are always changing., but I can say without a doubt that the bunny chow at 100% The Real Makoya is in my top three. The one thing that stood out for me was that it was probably the spiciest bunny I have had in a long time, but still full of flavour. The bread to gravy ratio was spot on! Its a serious bunny chow faux pas when you run out of gravy, leaving you with dry bread… If curries are your thing I would give them a try.

Annapurna

This restaurant is at a wonderful venue tucked away in the heart of Umhali. It is really worth the short drive just off the highway. I got to enjoy one of the nicest prawn curries I have had in a very long time. The curry had a decent amount of heat yet you could still taste all the wonder spices. A mistake I believe inexperienced curry chefs often make is to have them swimming in oil, fortunately Aida Gengan shares the same sentiments. Hers was done to perfection. Besides the wonderful curries, Annapurna offers some amazing baked goods from artisan breads and desserts, which gives customers a great selection to choose from.

Crayfish Inn @ La Montagne Hotel

The one thing I was struck by while enjoying my meal a Crayfish Inn was how luck we are to live where we live. I was savouring every bit of my seafood platter while watching the people eating up the wonderful sunny weather around the pool, kids splashing and having an absolute blast. I always feel very fortunate when I am at Crayfish Inn as they always pull out all the stops. I had their signature seafood platter, which includes a mountain of prawns and crayfish. I am a big proponent of letting food speak for itself, and that’s what they did. They kept the preparation of the prawns simple, cooked to perfection, serving them with a choice of three sauces. This gives the diner the opportunity to enjoy them the way they want to. A job well done.

Canelands Beach Club

If you are looking to dine literally right on the beach Canelands Beach Club should be your first port of call. Very few venues can offer you what Canelands has as they are located right on the beach in Salt Rock. After chatting to the chef I settled on the lamb shank. When it comes to lamb shank there is a very fine balance between making it as tender as possible and yet having it hold its form to be plated well. The chef pulled it off perfectly. The lamb was as tender as you could get it, but was still beautifully plated. The shank was served with a wonderful jus and served with mash and a whole garlic bulb cut in half and roasted. Once you roast garlic it tones done the flavour and is perfectly match to eat with a rich meat such as lamb. It was a classic dish done so well.

WIN!

Like the photo of your favourite restaurant on our Facebook page to vote. The restaurant with the most ‘likes’ or votes will win the coveted title of Taste of the Dolphin Coast 2015. Voting closes January 15. By voting you stand a chance to win a dinner for two at the winning restaurant to the value of R500. Vote here!

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