Let’s be honest, sometimes you just can’t be bothered to cook. Or loadshedding is scheduled at exactly the wrong time (again!), and the dinner you had planned is no longer viable. Enter Ocean Basket Ballito!
It’s Wednesday night and I have an ice-cold glass of white wine in my hand. The children are playing UNO quietly at the table, there is a stunning ocean view in front of us and dinner is being prepared by someone other than me. This is certainly my version of ‘mom heaven’.
When we were invited to enjoy a weeknight family dinner at Ocean Basket Ballito, we (obviously) jumped at the opportunity. Between work, homework and extramural activities, weeknights in our household are busy though – so the only condition was that it had to be quick, easy and early!
As soon as we arrived, the Ocean Basket team welcomed and seated us, quickly offering the kids some fun activities (playing cards and colouring pages) to settle them in.
Once drinks were ordered, we browsed the kids’ menu and were blown away by the awesome options available – and at incredibly affordable prices!
The sushi is fresh and prepared to perfection.
From the Pan o’ Prawns, Saucy Fish Bites and Crispy Calamari (all served with chips and rice), to Sushi Tales (8 pieces of delicious, kid-friendly sushi), all the main courses are priced between R60 and R75 – apart from the wonderful Kids Platter for 1 (fish nuggets, calamari, halloumi and grilled prawns with chips and rice, which at just R100 is great value for money!).
In true Ocean Basket style, the ‘grown-up’ menu is vast, varied and loaded with yummy dishes that are so much more than just your typical seafood offering …
If you love a ‘shared food’ vibe, then the mezze section of the menu is for you. There are lots of tasty, small dishes (Lemon Garlic Mussels, Crunchy Fish Bites, Panko Zucchini and Endamame Fritters) to pull together a fabulous smorgasbord of flavours for your table, which you can either snack on before your mains, or enjoy as the main meal.
For mains, there is a selection of fish, calamari and prawns, as well as some awesome combo options for those who can’t decide on one. There are fantastic salads, bowls and wraps (I’m definitely trying the Seared Salmon Salad or a ‘build-it-yourself’ bowl next time), as well as a variety of platters to share, or enjoy by yourself.
Lastly, but most certainly not least, is the sushi menu, which has all the ‘OG’ faves, alongside some very tasty ‘signature’ Ocean Basket sushi that is definitely worth trying.
Our table ordered the Grilled Sole (with herby lemon sauce), the Saucy Mediterranean Prawns (oh-so-yummy!) and sushi … loads of fresh, flavourful sushi!
A few dishes we didn’t order, but are planning to try next time are the Family Platter (12 prince prawns, calamari and four full portions of hake for just R495), the Whole Sea Bream Platter (with calamari and prawns) and the Crusted Kingklip (topped with paprika onion crumb and a creamy roasted tomato sauce).
Although the adult tummies were full, kids always make space for dessert – and the dessert menu was too delectable and tempting to avoid. They had the Chocolate Lava Cake (with a molten chocolate centre served with cream or ice cream) and an Ice Cream Sandwich (vanilla ice cream between two, crunchy biscuits served with caramel sauce or tropical coulis).
We’ve already decided that on our next visit (possibly next Wednesday?), we’re trying the famous Baklava, Baked Yoghurt Cheesecake and Berry Bomb (layered cake, berries, ice cream and almonds). So much yumminess!
Details: Ocean Basket Ballito, shop 1, The Big Blue, Compensation Beach Road, Ballito, 087 353 2239, @oceanbasketballitokzn, [email protected]
