Long-time Umdloti restaurant gets Asian makeover

A swanky cocktail party marked the end of an era and ushered in a new chapter for Umdloti’s popular Mundo Vida restaurant.

Having been an integral part of Umdloti for more than 16 years, Mundo Vida’s new owners Morné Fourie and André Schubert realise they have big shoes to fill.

The duo envision blending the ocean front restaurant’s culinary traditions with fresh perspectives and energy to produce something exceptional.

Last Wednesday Fourie and Schubert rolled out the proverbial red carpet to introduce themselves and their new team to the community, as well as honour those who have been involved in the process.

A solid turnout of invited guests were treated to a series of platters filled with some of the new Asian-inspired small plate menu items, complemented by refreshments to cleanse the palate for the next round of tasty treats.

While keeping some of the classic established fare customers have grown accustomed to, Fourie and Schubert have introduced a strong Asian influence with the addition of a small plate menu aimed at encouraging casual dining where people order a number of items and share among each other.

Some of the small plate dishes include fresh wild oysters, Thai lemongrass chilli shrimp, and tataki – a tantalising dish consisting of toasted Japanese milk bread, topped with sautéed leek and cream cheese and drizzled with a sweet soya reduction.

Also on the revamped menu are dim sum, poke bowls, bao buns, as well as a variety of seafood.

Fourie, a chef with 30 years experience, cut his teeth in the industry setting up kitchens for a franchise group before opening his own restaurant called Hemingways in Glenwood at the age of 27.

Twelve years later he left the industry and became a farmer before eventually returning as a chef on board a superyacht. Fourie said sailing the world for six years and experiencing culinary delights from an array of countries and cultures inspired him to return home to Umdloti to embark on this new venture.

Schubert is the more extroverted front of house guy and brings with him a wealth of restaurant experience.

Having started his career at Legends Restaurant, he has also been involved with highly regarded establishments such as Café 1999, Havana Grill, The Market in Marriot Road, Dante in Umhlanga and The Sunset Club at Gold Coast Estate.

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