review: mo-zam-bik florida road
a delightful and refreshing feel of mozambique right on my doorstep. from the moment you enter, along the mysterious corridor, filled with anticipation. coupled with what you think you know, up until you depart satiated and enthralled by the experience. this oasis opens out into the most glorious, well lit foyer boasting a unique central attraction, their wishing well!!!
i was greeted by the most bubbly, confident and vibrant waiter ever!!!! his first words had me in a time warp of sorts as he happily welcomed me and requested my passport!!! he said, “welcome to mozambique, can i have your passport.” already gleefully thrilled i enquired as to who he was and his reply, “ madam, i am trevor noah!” coupled with the authentic sights and sounds before me, kindly forgive me for instantaneously believing i had indeed arrived somewhere other than florida road, durban. after all one does not simply meet trevor noah, clutching a restaurant menu and beaming with that radiant smile. for those of you who may have encountered this phenomenal young man, i can be assured, you know exactly who i speak of.
as you enter through those gates the anticipation of what is to follow cannot be denied. the restaurant has a two level seating layout, boasting beautiful artworks and attention to detail that further enhances the whole feel of the place. one gets the sense that great thought and personal experience had gone into the moulding of the masterpiece that mo-zam-bik florida road, is to the discerning eye.
the staff though, are a big part of my delightful tale about my personal experience with their fantastic, delicious and unmistakeable menu. more about that in a bit…..
we were ushered in like royalty, seated like vip guests, in a prepared table set up for our birthday ‘boys’, to enjoy their much anticipated lunch. complete with wine glasses decorated and a happy birthday sign too!!! we happily munched on complimentary, roasted peanuts as we awaited our drinks. i excitedly took in the sights and sounds, clicking away like the paparazzi, oblivious to everything and anything except capturing all that is mo-zam-bik.
just when i think i am sufficiently impressed, the amazing, smiling, casual das naidoo arrives. i immediately realise why his staff are such great hosts! either that or there is something to be said about that wishing well!!! he was beaming with pride and absolutely relaxed as well he should be, when one considers his island paradise, ambience and staffing choices. das naidoo proved to be such a humble, genuinely authentic, gem of a man who made us feel more like family visiting than patrons in his establishment.
the menu was met with delight as everyone in our clan had found their favourites quite readily. our drinks arrived well chilled and bursting with colour, depth and flavour. my man declared his banana milkshake and dad’s strawberry the best milkshake ever. he said the thick creamy shake with its bright chewy sweets and sprinkles were reason enough to go there. i reckon our cocktails, two mojitos and a cosmopolitan, were equally impressive!!!
we ordered two steak pregos with chips, popular dishes at mo-zam-bik. my man opted for the half chicken moz-bq peri peri basting with chips. mother opted for hake and chips and boy was she surprised and in for a treat!
i opted for the hake and prawn combo, half chips and half rice. i absolutely cannot deny it was an excellent choice! the meals arrived smelling mouth watering good, gleaming in colour and artistically vibrant.
mother had the highest praise, for the skill of the most well cooked seafood, she has ever eaten and i undeniably agree with her.
the more than generous portions were only outdone by the soft, flaky, melt in your mouth hake, drenched in delicious rich sauces. myprawnswere huge, well seasoned and in a creamy sauce unrivalled by any other i know. that undeniable, lemony, peri peri, creamy garlic, goodness adequately blanketing the juiciest prawns. that coconut, creamy flavored rice with a hint of goodness i don’t know lime perhaps!!! i have not eatenprawnsthis fantastic in years and it was enjoyed later in the day for dinner too. incredibly relished by my son too the next day. (i kid you not)
my man’s chicken with chips was like no other. the juicy huge portions arrived saturated in a perfectly well marinated, char grilled platter with a bit of a bite, enough for a generous doggy bag even for him.
our tummies filled to the maximum and having no place for desserts, we made ready to roll on out of there to an afternoon siesta. only to be pleasantly surprised by the drum beats and sounds of the vibrant, jovial staff, serenading the birthday ‘boys’ with not one but two cakes with candles! the cake aside from being an absolutely wonderful end to a marvellous meal was rich, moist and chocolaty, almost like a brownie, but not quite, covered in a decadent creamy memorable frosting. me thinks i should hunt down this well hidden baker and befriend said baker.
go experience this for yourself and feel the magic that is mo-zam-bik florida road. maybe even make a wish or two in their wishing well.