I remember the first time I dined at Moyo. It was at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg and I was brought to tears by the national and African pride I felt at the décor (shattered mirror and coloured tiles, curvy walls, Moroccan lanterns), the Afro music, the brilliant service and face-painting/hand-washing ritual.
The fact that my cousin Avron was involved in the business made me even more so.
The first time I went to Moyo at Spier my breath was taken away like a wonderful punch to the stomach.
They had expanded their restaurant concept into an outdoors fantasy of tree houses and festooned tents. This was Robin Hood meets King Shaka.
At Eden on the Bay in Bloubergstrand, they’ve gone for the height of the Melrose Arch branch with four levels but introduced something new with the surf board tables and toetsie pool in which to dangle one’s toes.
There is nothing separating these tables from the beach and the sea beyond and with floor-to-ceiling windows, there are sea views from most vantage points.
The Bloubergstrand branch is a large space and it felt sparse when we arrived. After hands were washed and faces painted and we’d enjoyed the complimentary selection of bread rolls and dips, it was time for serious eating.
It was so great to see Skilpadjies (R39) on the menu. These traditional braai delicacies of liver wrapped in caul before being grilled were unfortunately overcooked.
My main choice of Tagine Seven Vegetable (R 80) was perfect though. I loved that the couscous absorbed all the flavours from the pumpkin, peppers and zucchini and melded with the spicy ginger and garlic notes.
This dish was the winner of the evening which was a little disappointing considering a lamb tagine and Seven Steps Linefish topped with Cape Malay flavours (R115) were also ordered.
Continuing my affair with gourds, I ordered the Butternut Cheesecake (R38) with caramelized pumpkin. The combination wasn’t as dreamy as I hoped and I found it too wet, as if it hadn’t been defrosted well enough. Perhaps I’m being overly critical?
After all, there is free live music, the previously mentioned sea views, excellent service and a wonderful environment. The menu is exciting and offers a wide-variety of pan African dishes - perhaps it was our unlucky night.
Moyo at Eden at the Bay. Cnr Otto du Plessis & Big Bay Boulevard, Big Bay, Bloubergstrand, 021-554-9671 .
You may recall me suggesting that R60 was too costly for even the finest cup of coffee. Allow me to say that R40 isn’t too much for the finest chocolate.
The De Villiers Family of Hermanus has launched DV Artisan Chocolate. I love it. Even those of us who regularly invest in fine hand-crafted chocolate will be impressed by these.
The reason is that they have selected just five estates from which to purchase beans and in producing single varietal chocolate (all 70% cacao), the authentic flavour of the bean is what sings through.
Try to put what you think you like about chocolate out of your mind. The analogy to winemaking is apt – the regular chocolate you get in bars on the shelf in cafes is in this analogy boxed wine that is made from grapes collected from all over. DV Chocolate is like wine from a single block of Chenin grapes from a sought-after estate.
The first bite is bitter and then the fruit flavours in the bean come to the fore. In the Madagascar chocolate from the Sambirano Valley, I could taste the citrus and vanilla tones while in the Trinidad chocolate a nutty, malty flavour lingered. Look out for it at your favourite Deli.
www.dvchocolate.com
028-316-4850
When Brian Berkman isn’t ignoring his diabetes, he writes about luxury travel and dining out. See www.BrianBerkman.com and follow BrianBerkmanZA on Twitter.