Where:
Blue Zoo, 6 Nimmo Road, Morningside
Call:
031 303 3568
Open:
Open daily until 4.30pm.
The Blue Zoo boasts on its
website that it is Durban’s oldest
restaurant – established in 1914.
And judging by its beautiful
setting in one of the city’s most
beautiful parks, you can see why it
has lived to be over 100 years old.
I have enjoyed an afternoon
here twice recently on the terrace
with wonderful views of the
gardens. It’s always busy and the
pianist gently stroking the ivories
adds to the ambiance.
This week we went for a
quick lunch.
The menu takes in
breakfasts and special breakfasts
– French toast and Benedicts –
while light meals might include
the whole gamut of toasties,
wraps and salads. There’s a small
pasta selection: think prawns
tossed with roasted baby tomatoes,
basil pesto, Parmesan, rocket
and chilli – and light meals that
include quiche or pie of the day.
An extensive burger selection
includes the classic, to the bacon
and egg, or gourmet combo. And
there are chicken options too.
A friend always swears by the
fish and chips with a lemon sauce.
At R79, it is substantial and offers
good value. A special of the day
was Kingklip at R130 – also good
value.
Previously we’d visited for
Sunday lunch – a roast special
at R150 with roast potatoes and
rice and gravy and everything. It
was pleasant, if not particularly
memorable.
But this time we opted to try
the traditional Durban curries.
Often curries on a large menu
aim to please a large number of
people; the result is little more
than a spiced up stew.
But this menu boasts that
these are prepared with authentic
herbs and spices and rice and
sambals. And they were. Mother’s
boneless lamb curry (R110) packed
a wonderful flavour punch. She
mopped up thick curry gravy
with chips, instead of rice.
My
chicken and prawn curry (R110)
was another authentic dish, with
plenty of prawns and the chicken
not overcooked. It came with a
crisp deep-fried papadum and the
sambals were the conventional
chutney and tomato and onion
mix, but also a very good yoghurt.
I was impressed.
All curries are available as
toasted sandwiches too.
We skipped dessert in favour of
another gin and tonic.
Food:
3.5
Service:
3
Ambiance:
4.5