Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac overlooking the ocean, Spice Restaurant in Westbrook is a gem on the North Coast dining scene.
Owned by Russell and Linda Burger, Spice Restaurant opened its doors for the first time 20 years ago in Durban. After five years on Florida Road, and another five in Morningside, the couple decided to move the restaurant closer to home in Westbrook. For the last decade or so, they have been serving up delicious indo-continental cuisine at their beautiful beachfront space, creating classic dishes with a modern twist. The couple takes much of their inspiration from their travels and the fusion of their own cultures. With its gorgeous setting and a menu created with love, the restaurant is arguably one of the area’s most romantic spots. So, with Valentine’s Day around the corner, we decided to pop in for a visit.
With a table on the deck and a stunning sea view, we started our lunch with a chilled glass of wine and a warm focaccia bread. Then, we sampled the coriander and chilli fish cakes – served with a tasty basil pesto aioli, they had just the right bite of spice; and the smoked salmon trout and deep-fried aubergine, which was served with cream cheese and an absolutely delicious avocado relish. The starters were light and fresh and a great choice to wake up the taste buds.
Spice Restaurant is known far and wide for its prawn-stuffed Balti chicken, so we couldn’t resist trying it for ourselves. The tender chicken breast is rubbed in cumin and garlic paste, stuffed with Cajun prawns and covered in a mild curry sauce. Served with Basmati rice and crispy tempura carrots, the dish certainly didn’t disappoint. We also tried the line fish of the day, which was grilled Cape Salmon with a fresh and spicy pineapple relish. The fish was grilled to perfection, elevated by the crispy, sweet relish. The restaurant is well-known for its traditional curries, but there’s also a range of pastas, seafood dishes and vegetarian options on the menu.
For dessert, we opted for the apple and almond crumble. The topping was perfectly sweet and crunchy, and was complemented beautifully by a dollop of creamy vanilla ice cream. You’ll want to save space for dessert here because the menu boasts some lovely options – think macadamia and Bar One nougat cheesecake; nectarine crepes; and a refreshing chocolate mint ice cream.
We left Spice Restaurant feeling content. Each dish was beautifully presented and packed with flavour, while the setting was just perfect. It’s certainly a great spot for a date, lunch out with friends or a family celebration, and we can’t wait to return and try out more of the inspired menu.
Details: www.spicerestaurant.co.za;b37 North Beach Road, Bali Hai, Westbrook; 032 943 3558; [email protected]; IG: @spice_restaurant_kzn; FB: SpiceRestaurantSA.
Text and photographs: Jennifer Campbell
