{"id":30406,"date":"2023-11-30T14:08:12","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T12:08:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/ballito-umhlanga\/?p=30406"},"modified":"2023-11-30T14:08:12","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T12:08:12","slug":"fresh-flavours","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/ballito-umhlanga\/blog\/2023\/11\/30\/fresh-flavours\/","title":{"rendered":"Fresh flavours"},"content":{"rendered":"

Surf Riders Caf\u00e9 has found a home in one of Ballito\u2019s best beachside spots. <\/strong>The Get It team enjoyed a leisurely lunch in this lovely new space.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Father and daughter team Tania and Yiannie Tsiantos have been working on the local culinary scene for years. They have been running Nikos in Ballito since 2021, so when the space next door came up for sale, they grabbed the opportunity to grow the family business. \u201cWorking next-door to each other is proper Greek-style,\u201d laughs Tania, who is proud of her Greek and Portuguese heritage. Tania says that Surf Riders Caf\u00e9 in Durban was always their favourite restaurant, and they felt it would be the perfect fit for the North Coast. After three months of renovating, they have recently opened their doors and are excited to be starting a new chapter.<\/p>\n

\"\"On entering Surf Riders Caf\u00e9, we were greeted with a light and fresh interior \u2013 blue murals and painted surf boards give the place a relaxed, beachy feel \u2013 but it is the sea views from the deck that really take centre stage. And when it comes to the menu, there\u2019s a wide variety of options available, with plans for an even bigger selection on the cards. Tania says they want the restaurant to be family-oriented and to be a space where people come straight off the beach to enjoy music, drinks and good food. The restaurant is also pet-friendly, and even boasts a special doggie menu \u2013 think honeyed bacon dog biscuits and poochinos, to name a few.<\/p>\n

With perfect views, a relaxed atmosphere and fresh flavours, it was easy to while away a few hours at Surf Riders Caf\u00e9.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In the name of research, we thought it only right to try a range of dishes. Tania says the woodfired pizzas are already proving popular, so we went for the vegetarian option with artichokes, olives, peppers, mushrooms and aubergine \u2013 with a thin base and fresh tomato base. It didn\u2019t disappoint. Next, the habanero burger had just the right amount of spice, while the crispy fried calamari with sumac yoghurt dipping sauce really hit the spot. Yiannie personally recommended the yaki gochujang udon noodles \u2013 these came served with chicken, bok choy, mushrooms, carrots and broccoli in a spicy broth, with peanuts, cumin rub and a poached egg on top \u2013 and were packed with flavour (and a bit of a bite).<\/p>\n

\"\"For something different, we couldn\u2019t resist a sushi hotdog. This came beautifully presented with deep fried rice and packed with ginger, avocado, cucumber, toasted peanuts, seaweed dust and prawns. Because there\u2019s always space for dessert, we ended with some sweet treats from the deluxe ice cream bar.<\/p>\n

Besides an impressive food menu, the restaurant also has a passionate mixologist on the team. Kay Scott has always been drawn to creative pursuits and says mixing cocktails feels to her like making magic. She has designed a drinks menu especially for the restaurant that includes classics like espresso martinis, Aperol spritz and mojitos, as well as some signature cocktails, each of which has been paired with a Spotify link for an extra bit of fun. \u201cCocktails should be about the experience,\u201d says Kay. We tried some non-alcoholic cocktails \u2013 the Innocent Pirate, made with raspberry syrup, lime and soda; and the Tiki-Tiki, made with coconut, pineapple and a touch of spice.<\/p>\n