Having a meal out is a treat at the best of times and usually extremely enjoyable — having a choice of food and wine and being waited upon.
By Le connoisseur
However, sometimes the treat becomes an absolute delight — and so it was for us at Southern Comfort Lodge — surpassing all expectations. It was an evening to remember!
As an integral part of the Southern Comfort Lodge, the Pergola Restaurant is housed in a beautifully thatched and spacious “boma”, the architecture and décor in keeping with that of a very attractive safari lodge.
We were welcomed with genuine warmth which made us feel immediately “at home”. The restaurant, which has a bar at one end, is of medium size with about seven to eight tables, and during the course of the evening they were all occupied in what we found, and appreciated, as a uniquely relaxed and calm atmosphere.
Once settled, we were presented with menus and greeted by the proprietor and after cordial introductions, our drinks order was taken and promptly delivered — a chilled Sauvignon Blanc to sip as we settled back to look around and admire the attractive African-style décor.
The menu was enticing and the dishes various and mouth-watering! After some deliberation we ordered crumbed mushrooms and a prawn and shrimp cocktail for starters and both were outstanding in flavour and presentation.
The prawn and shrimp cocktail was truly a work of art . . .you could tell it had been “designed” by someone who took pride in his job! It was equally difficult to decide on our main course, as by now we were quite confident that the large variety of dishes offered would be just as delicious.
- 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
Finally, I chose the grilled pork chops, served with a tasty orange sauce, and the accompanying salad was excellent with a nice assortment of fresh ingredients and a tangy home-made dressing.
My partner, being a lover of fish, opted for the grilled hake, chips and mixed vegetables. The chips were “just right” and the veggies perfectly cooked. The meat and fish servings were so generous and much too good to abandon completely so we swallowed our pride and asked for “doggy bags”!
Having said that — and having eaten so heartily — we couldn’t resist taking a look at the dessert menu. We had been told that the owner, who is closely involved in the planning and preparation of the food, was especially proud of his chocolate mousse, so my partner ordered that and I chose the peach-filled pancake, which was deliciously light and greatly enjoyed. When eating out, and if we reach the dessert-stage, we like to share and get a taste of each.
It has to be said that we thought the chocolate mousse was “to die for” and quite the best we’d ever tasted. The cook-proprietor had every reason to be justifiably proud of his creation!
Southern Comfort Lodge is a family run business and it was quite evident from our lovely evening’s experience there, that the success of this lodge is a direct result of the energy and enthusiasm that each family member devotes to the comfort and satisfaction of patrons.
As we settled our bill, just US$45 including drinks — terrific value for a wonderful dining experience, we were pleasantly surprised by being presented with a complementary Amarula: How good can it get?
Deluxe Family Restaurant 5 Plates Expect to spend US$20 – US$30 per head 28 Jaywick Road, Matsheumhlope, Bulawayo
