Every now and again, a gem is rediscovered and quite often in the most unlooked — for place.
BY LE CONNOISSEUR
It was only a visiting relative with an inquiring mind and the wherewithal of a good internet connection who came across this restaurant’s website and suggested an evening excursion.
For my partner and I, it was a bit of déjà vu, as we had first met one memorable night a good number of years ago at Southern Comfort Lodge.
We arrived at the gates after a rather bumpy ride down potholed roads and were greeted by the attendant who asked if we had a booking — the notice on the gate says: “Bookings Only” — I did wonder if we would be turned away without one, but discovered that being early does pay.
We parked by the restaurant and so had a very short walk in the semi-lit garden to the entrance of the restaurant.
Here lights were shining, and the “comforting” background sound of a generator augured well for the evening. We were warmly greeted by the owner and shown into the small bar area.
Being the first patrons, we were given wonderfully personal service and drinks were very rapidly served.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Southern Comfort Lodge is termed “brick under thatch” and on this particular evening provided a lovely foil to the hot and humid day we had just had.
The décor is very African with plenty of wild animals on the walls and in the curtain print, plus lots of genuine local artefacts.
The teak chairs and tables fitted in well with the red brickwalls and soaring roof trusses, giving an air of luxury yet not losing the feeling of relaxation and well-being. The table linen was effective with black overlaid white and with sparkling tableware and elegant fresh flower centre pieces.
The music was very much our era (which I won’t divulge) and could have even been turned up a bit, probably to the despair of the younger generation.
After a couple of drinks at the bar and having made a choice of wine, we were shown to our table and presented with menus. The restaurant is actually called The Pergola, but is not of oriental incline. It’s more of the garden type. this was reflected on the cover of the menu. The choice of dishes is not vast, but the description of the food gets the gastric juices flowing pretty quickly and this certainly helped in the decision-making process.
After a bit of debate, we opted for the prawn and shrimp cocktail, followed by the special of the day — stuffed fillet roll and crumbed hake for the non-meat eater. The fillet was offered with vegetables and roast potatoes and the fish, a Greek salad with chips. My partner also asked for pepper sauce instead of gravy.
As we waited for the starters to arrive, a very friendly waiter arrived with a basket of just-baked small rolls, fresh butter and our wine. As we had chosen a white wine to accompany a mainly fish meal, we were a bit surprised to actually be asked if we would like an ice bucket and when it did arrive, it kept the chenin blanc divinely chilled the whole evening. Our prawn shrimp cocktail was superb with lashings of little shrimps in a tangy seafood sauce with a prawn artfully hooked over the edge of the tall glass goblet.
Then the main courses arrived and these were just as tastefully arranged on the plates. Not generally being a fan of sauce tartare, I actually found this one very enjoyable, complementing the lightly crumbed and fried hake. The salad was full of feta and wonderfully crisp. My partner’s fillet looked delicious and tender and he thoroughly enjoyed the roast potatoes. The pepper sauce he said was very good — rich and peppery!
After a digestive pause and almost at the end of the wine, our waiter reappeared to remove the plates and offer the menu for desserts. All things chocolate was the order — chocolate mousse and ice-cream with chocolate sauce. Again, nicely presented and generous, and as the whole atmosphere at the Pergola is tranquil, we took our time to finish off one of the best meals of the season.
The Pergola is a luxury dining out place to take discerning gastronomes, but it could also tempt the younger generation to expand their horizons and although a bit out of town, it is worth every pothole to experience the delights and surrounds of dining almost in the bush.
Deluxe Family Restaurant 4 Plates Expect to Spend US$20-US$35 per head 28 Jaywick Road, Mtatshumhlope, Bulawayo
