Day 296, Under normal circumstances I wouldn’t be partaking in a 500km round trip for a restaurant, but normal has been few and far between lately. This weekend I had the opportunity to participate in a rather indulgent dining experience.
About a 100km outside of Durban, along the coast, is the Amatikulu nature reserve. Not particularly stunning in of its self, it is an extension of the Dolphin Coast with a characteristic network of lagoons. Just set off from the beach is the Prawn Shack. A restaurant open at the weekends catering for an 8 course lunch meal dominated by the eponymous prawns.
Set in what resembles a wooden shanty, the blare of Bob Marley welcomes customers along with the complimentary caipirinhas. The drinks are essential to the meal and it is customary to try a shot of tequila complete with a live prawn in the glass. The oddity of the dining experience is confirmed by the proprietor greeting and instructing guests at the beginning on how the whole thing is meant to work.
The food included some local influences with curry filled buns known as bunny chow as well plates of Zulu sushi. Prawns were represented well in the curry, as well as in pasta form, in a bisque and simply grilled. The feeding started at midday and was scheduled to finish four to five hours later. Recognising the restraining capacity of the human stomach, a walk to the beach is pencilled in after course 5. It is a welcome break from the eating but upon returning we were treated to dessert, camembert with a crystallised caramel layer torched in front of us.
The restaurant is situated next to a campsite, and being quite a journey back after the afternoon’s feasting we bedded down for the night. Despite living near the sea, our local coastline being protected waters means we get very little fresh seafood locally. I suppose it is a true testament to the Bengali love for prawns that I journeyed for 3 hours and slept over by a restaurant just to indulge myself on the delectable crustaceans.
I almost considered a 20000km round trip for that!
ReplyDeleteIt's so fantastic to come across your write up :)
ReplyDeleteI have been working with the Prawn Shak over the last couple months doing the PR and events for them. Your explaination is so descriptive that Readers can pretty much FEEL the experience!!
I am so glad you enjoyed your dining experience :)
Regards,
Bithia Trenam