Quick bites around Durban

This week I had a duel with the dentist. Suffice it to say I came off about as well as Bafana did against Mexico in the opening match of the World Cup on Thursday, so this week it’s been a diet of jelly and custard.

My apologies to readers who’d like something a little more substantial than the soft diet I’m about to serve up. But these are just some of the fun meals or food outings I’ve had in and around Durban over the last couple of weeks, to give you places to think about, places where you might enjoy a quick meal or a light bite with some interesting food.

Smokin’ Joe's Knockout Burgers - Problem Mkhize Road

With the World Cup already in full swing, I suppose we should look at the burger. It’s never been one of my favourite things, but a good burger can be a thing of great beauty: the meat juicy, the cheese all melty and tangy, good relishes and the likes. But I’ve always enjoyed the smash burgers here. I’m sure they’d be recognised and enjoyed back in the US at any stadium.

Last week I had their double cheese royale smash burger with nice crispy edges, good cheese, lovely onion relish, roasted tomato — everything you’d want from a burger. The only thing I might do is cook the chips just a little bit longer.

St Clements - Musgrave Road

Last month for quiz night, I joined the Sheriff of Morningside and her team at St Clements. Once a month a whole gang gathers — something like eight to ten teams — for this much-contested quiz, which the Sheriff, to her chagrin, has never been able to win.

While most of the gang enjoyed another decent burger, I particularly enjoyed the drunken beef noodles. They were surprisingly fiery, and I enjoyed that good chilli. Plenty of lovely Asian sauce on the noodles, and lots of tender beef and vegetables. It was very good and a very reasonable dish.

And then i manage to help the team limp into tied second place - only because I could identify the Norwegian World War 2 traitor Vidkun Quisling - or should that be quizling

The Pink Duck, an offshoot of St Clements is no longer on Florida Road, and instead has been incorporated back into the restaurant. So if you want a decent Thai quick bite, you know where to come.

Ocean Basket - Windermere Centre

On another outing with the Sheriff, we ended up at the new Ocean Basket in the Windermere Centre. It’s great that there’s finally a restaurant that seems to be working in that part of the centre, which has always been a dead space. The food, while it’s franchise predictable, was enjoyable. The fish was decent. The chips could’ve done with some work.  It always seems to be the case. The grilled calamari was better than the fried version. The affogato (or rather the coffee used in it) definitely could do with a tweak. But we had a fun evening.

Sofra Istanbul - Florida Road

Two weeks ago I popped into Sofra Istanbul on Florida Road. It’s always been one of my favourites, and the falafel platter is a fantastic lunch time treat. Good falafel with a nice crunch, lots of flavour, a lovely yoghurt sauce, a good spicy tomato and chilli salsa, plenty of crisp vegetables, fresh lavash to mop it all up with, and decent hummus. It’s beautifully presented, and really is one of the bargain lunches around Morningside.

Glenwood Bakery - Florida Road

Here is another spot that doesn’t disappoint. On a recent visit they had a special of confit duck leg on a bed of beautiful silky mash, topped with crispy fried leeks. It was simple, but every bit of it worked perfectly. Just what you’d want for a nice, light meal. They also offer a very good steak special: a rare rump with chips and a compound butter for under R200. Quick, simple and delicious. I am craving such a creature right now.

Fortunes - Windermere Centre

And finally — with my mouth feeling it had been pummelled by a heavyweight boxer — I popped into Fortunes at the Windermere Centre for an omelette, which was surprisingly good. It was beautifully soft and silky, none of those hard, overcooked, cracked or rubbery things so often served as omelettes. Filled with a good cheddar and bacon, and served simply with a slice of sourdough toast it was just what the dentist ordered.

And food writer Ingrid Shevlin has vowed to get me out of Purity mode this weekend for an outing in Umhlanga. So hopefully soon, something you can get you teeth into.