The Durban food scene is buzzing

The last few weeks have seen a flurry of activity on the Durban food scene, with rave reviews of new ventures and snippets of news on some soon-to-be opening ones.
I thought I’d give you a recap of what’s new in town – so you can get out there and support local.
ALREADY OPEN:
Lupa Durban North:
If you live in town, you no longer have to venture up the hill to get your Lupa fix – their new branch in Durban North has opened and it has been chock-a-block full since opening day. I’ve managed to go twice since it opened – and both times were excellent. The mozzarella, caramelised onion & oregano foccacia is simply too good to miss as a starter to your meal and I had THE BEST pasta I have ever had ANYWHERE, hands-down there last week – the fegatini with fettucine – which is a pasta with chicken liver, bacon, mushroom, chilli & cream sauce. It had me wanting to lick the bowl afterwards, but I refrained. Everyone at the table had menu envy – it was that good. Cannot wait to go back.
Bookings are advisable – contact them here:
Lupa Durban North / 6-12 Swapo (Broadway) Road / Durban North / 031 941 1181
and these are their other branch details:
Lupa Hillcrest / 14 Old Main Road / Hillcrest / 031 765 3059
Lupa Westville / 124 Jan Hofmeyr Road / Westville / 031 266 8793/5877
Give them a like on facebook for updates

Old Town Italy:
The latest venture for the Remo’s team, this amazing space on Meridian Drive in Umhlanga is a welcome addition to the Durban food scene. It’s location is deceptive as once inside, you’re transported to an authentic Italian market with everything from butcher, baker and candlestick maker. Ok, the last part is not true, but there’s a gelato cart, mounds of Italian cheese, shelves groaning with delectable wines and aperitifs, beautifully displayed fresh produce, pastries and cakes that make you put on a gram if you look at them and more. I’ve heard mixed reports, but the negative ones are mostly about it being too expensive. Well to the naysayers I say – authentic comes at a price, experience comes at a price. And if I hear one more person say that there is so much to do in Cape town and then not support places like this, I will scream.
They’ll make you a freshly pressed juice, or be there from 4 – 6pm for Aperitivo time and on weekends you can score a chocolate lined cannoli. The sausages are homemade and the guys wear t-shirts that say ‘Make bread not war’ – this is as personality and service oriented you’re ever going to get and what’s more, they are fuelled by passion – they’re Italian after all! Go have a coffee, buy some fresh groceries, order a cake or better yet a cronut to take home, but most of all appreciate the immense effort that has been put into the decor and the attention to detail used to create an authentic experience and be thankful that this is all on our doorstep in Durbs.
You’ll find Old Town Italy at 39 Meridian Park on Meridian Drive behind Gateway. They do not take bookings and the kitchen closes at 4pm daily. Contact 031 – 566 5088.
Give them a like on facebook for updates.

The Morning Trade Market:
Ok so I know this is not new, but they have moved location and are now in the Station Drive Precinct – Durban’s newest happening hood.
And there are a few vendors there that I have to give a shout out to as their stuff is amazing and you might not have heard of them before.
First up is SupaNatural Food Co – these guys make and sell almond milk and it is delicious. I’ve been looking for a dairy alternative for my home-brewed coffee and for my nutribullet smoothies and this really is the bomb. They sell every week at The Morning Trade and you can also find them stocked at some local supermarkets – follow them on facebook for updates and stockists. Click the pic below of the ingredients I used in my latest nutribullet experiment for the recipe.
And next up is Funny Bunny – this quirky team make the best burgers in the whole of Durban – yes that’s right – the whole of Durban. They had me at oxtail burger…
Yep – they make oxtail burgers, as well as beef burgers topped with the most finger-licking good pineapple bacon or chakalaka jam. I could care less about how much of it was dripping down to my elbows, I just devoured that thing. They do veggie burgers too – give the deep fried brie and roasted portobello mushroom a try. I’ve seen that they cater for functions too – that would be the shizz! They are at The Morning Trade every Sunday and they vary their menu, but that bacon jam burger is always on – it is sinfully good. Take extra napkins ;)
The Morning Trade Market is on every Sunday between 8am and 1pm and is at 15 Station Drive.
Give them a like of facebook for updates.

COMING SOON:
Spoonful Eatery: {Update – now closed}
The first foray for Roxi Wardman, Masterchef SA 2015 winner, opens inside Anthology at Windermere Centre in a few weeks. Promising to inject a bit of much-needed personality into the centre’s food offering, Spoonful Eatery will be serving up Roxi’s cakes & shakes, as well as a varied food menu. Located inside Anthology, which sells a collection of art, clothing, home decor, gifts & jewellery curated by artist Terry Angelos, Spoonful Eatery will give visitors the chance to see Roxi in action and I have no doubt that her food will be amazing. Between Roxi & Terry there’s a mass of creative energy and excitement and I’m so looking forward to seeing what’s coming. See you there!
Give them a like on facebook for updates.

S43 – Home to That Brewing Co:
The new-kid-on-the-block for talented duo, Sean & Marcelle Roberts. Not content with their 2 already renowned eateries – Cafe 99 & Unity, they’ve headed to the Station Drive Precinct to open S43 at 43 Station Drive – a micro-brewery & restaurant. The space will house That Brewing Co – Sean’s craft beer brewing company and will also have the capacity to host private functions. The decor looks industrial chic with lots of wood panelling, exposed brick and raw concrete. At last there’s something new in the Morningside precinct to venture out to for a drink  – am sure this will be the hot spot to be seen in no time.
Go like them on facebook for updates.

Cupcakes from Roxi Wardman at Spoonful Eatery

Funny BUnny

Sliders from Funny Bunny

S43

Nutribullet Smoothie Recipe: 1 banana, 200ml almond milk, 1tsp Nomu hot choc, 2tsp peanut butter & 5 ice cubes.