Cranks – Rosebank

This is an eatery that I do not get tired of. If it’s Thai and Vietnamese food you after, this is THE place to go to.

I got hooked on this place when years ago we had a party there. Their mussels are legendary… and that was the beginning of the end of me…

The décor is quite something… giant mechanical insects… mis-matching tables, plastic crockery and Barbie and Ken getting jiggy all over the place adds to its Thai-sex-captal-of-the-world ambiance.

Menu’s are presented on giant laminated cards… and some of the things (despite my frequency to this establishment) I still have no idea what I’m ordering… but that adds to my fun as I am the adventurous type.

If you are unsure what to order, the manageress is always eager to help you decide. Pad Thai noodles are a favourite… but what makes me purely addicted is the Red Curry Thai Oxtail. This is a special and is not on the menu, it appears on the special board as The Red Bull… often confused with the drink.

If you’re ordering a starter (we received complimentary veggie spring rolls) It is emphasized that ALL the garnishes are fresh, well presented… and I couldn’t help myself but eat them.

Some of the dishes are more expensive, a friend of mine ordered a Thai seafood curry which had a price tag of R125 to it. But he enjoyed it so much he said he didn’t mind paying for that kind of quality. The Red Bull is not cheap either at R145… but I do vouch that it is absolutely tasty and fantastic…

If you’re vegetarian… no problemo… if there is anything you want on the menu… just tell the manageress (she’s the short petite Asian woman, thick Thai accent, trust me you can’t miss her, she normally takes your order anyways) that you want what ever dish… vegetarian… and she just leaves the meat out… problem solved…

One word of caution, their food can get spicy on the verge of hot… but that’s synonymous with Thai food anyways.
A reliable source says they make their curry pastes by them selves…

A huge recommend if you love Vietnamese and Thai food… and I’m giving this establishment a full score of 5/5 as I have yet to be disappointed with their food or service…

Cranks
Shop 169, Rosebank Mall Cradock Avenue, Rosebank
Tel: 011-8803442

Moyo Restaurant – uShaka Marine World, Durban

On the way back to the business accommodations, I, Mark,  received a call from one of my managers to meet at Moyo Restaurant situated next to uShaka Marine World.

I must confess that my GPS was rather old and finding the restaurant by name or location resulted in “no matches found”. I had to enter the GPS co-ordinates provided to me by my manager that lead me to the parking entrance boom (S29 52.153 E031 02.905). Secure parking (at time of writing) costs R10. And for business expense claim, keeping the stub will be your receipt.

Upon entrance, one could tell this establishment is definitely aimed at tourists. A strong combination of a weathered African marine theme is the angle the restaurant went for and they pull it off extremely well. The marine theme obviously a follow on from uShaka Marine World.

I arrived late as the rest of my co-workers were already seated but made it in time to order starters and mains. Again a big table so I cannot recall what everybody ordered. There was a combination of samoosas, bunny chows, springbok carpaccio, calamaris… there is indeed a wide selection to choose from.

My order, for starters I had the Springbok carpaccio and for mains I had the seafood curry served with cous cous. While waiting for the meal and sipping on my Southern Comfort and Appletiser, there was an opportunity to have some African face paint applied for an authentic African feeling.

No complaints all round for the starters and presentation was exceptional. One chicken starter (I wasn’t paying attention to what she ordered) arrived for our lady co-worker which was rather larger and looked like a main meal, which was rather intimidating for her. Main meals though, presentation “wowed” everybody. Lamb curry’s and Bunny Chows arrived with hut roof shaped lids, my seafood curry arrived in a potjie.

If you like your curry hot, you will be disappointed, however chilli can always be added. I personally prefer tasting my food and the amount of curry was just right with a zing just enough to tantalize the senses.

Entertainment, there is a small dance floor and there were some African dancers that utilised it. There after they sang a professionally discreet “Happy Birthday” song to an adjoining table for their birthday party. You’ll have to hear them to understand what I mean.

It’s awesome.

My attention was also drawn to some of the interesting decor and use of green bottles which were arranged to be shaped as trees. What made it more fascinating was that they cleverly used water to flow inside the bottles. Pure genius.

Washrooms are unisex and cleverly decorated. The walls had seashells embedded in them and continuing with the African theme.

If you were looking for an exclusive location for a private function, this is possible at Moyo as they have a private location off the pier within view and comfortable walking distance of the restaurant. Moyo has a reputation of being fully booked, especially in Johannesburg, we were surprised to get a table for our large party as we had no booking and just walked in.

This restaurant is definitely not cheap. At time of writing, my seafood curry came in at R130. The carpaccio was R58. For the restaurant experience, the quality of service, food and entertainment, Moyo gets a sensual 4 of 5.

1 Bell Street,
uShaka Marine World,
Durban
Tel: 031 332 0606
www.moyo.co.za