Best-in-class chefs, superb accommodation and unforgettable experiences.
By Henry Bantjez
If you wanted to once and for all claim that you have had the best meal of your life and when you’re looking for the crème-de-la-crème of high class restaurants where celebrities and other interesting people dine with white tablecloths, best-in-class chefs, and unforgettable experiences, then treat yourself to a breathtaking evening and a culinary explosion of tastes at the Grill Room in Umhlanga.
The menu offers a combination of classic plates created by Bea Tollman, president and founder of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, alongside signature dishes and contemporary creations. Adding a delicate flourish of culinary theatre to the experience, a signature of The Grill Room is the authentic Gueridon service that sees certain dishes prepared and plated tableside.
It would be a palate sin not to start with their famous fresh oysters, or if that is not your thing, try the caviar and steak tartare which is a perfect blend of black Angus beef, roasted bone marrow, aioli and caviar topped off with capers, red onion, chives and radish. Every bit a culinary explosion. For the main I tried the Caesar Salmon seared Norwegian Salmon, prepared with pepper ratatouille, crisp parmesan, cos lettuce, and garlic croutons. The side dish of rice was surprisingly cooked with mussels, apple and calamari. An unforgettable sensory experience. Visit The Grill Room for your next food adventure. Highly recommended.
And for those of you who have a bit of extra budget, why not spoil yourselves with a stay at the Oyster Box hotel. You will have access to the most majestic location on the Umhlanga beachfront and this 5 star venue is part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection (other favourites of mine are their Twelve Apostles and Spa in Cape Town where I have spent some of the best times of my life with family and friends from Japan and the USA and their Chesterfield Mayfair in London. I lived around the corner from the Chesterfield and the hotel’s Butler’s restaurant became my go to location for fancy dates and roasted Orkney scallops and Devonshire chicken). Just a 15-minute drive from King Shaka International Airport, The Oyster Box offers an array of individually decorated rooms and suites, an award-winning spa set amid tropical gardens, and a mouth-watering selection of restaurants and bars. And guess what, your furry friends are welcome in one of their garden suites.
Opening hours
Monday – Sunday, 6pm – 10pm
Telephone: +27 31 514 5000
Email: restaurants@oysterbox.co.za
