Last week I spent a few days in Durban before heading out to the Midlands. My first stop was to stock up on padkos goodies at the Victory Lounge. Although I usually go to the one in Chatsworth, I had the idea that the town branch was closer. After eventually throwing my GPS into the back of the hired car (where it remained for two days), I found Grey Street in the city centre of Durbs. Of course my GPS-rage melted away as I ordered a large paper bag of flat spinach leaves dipped in spicy chickpea batter and deep-fried; a smaller packet of chilli bites; and varieties of sev puri. I also couldn’t say no to some perfectly milky sweetmeats.

Sans GPS, but with sheer determination (and my treats to munch on), I headed back towards the airport again to Tongaat for lunch. Even after the second payment to the same toll booth (I kept missing the turn-off) there was no way I was going to give up on a prawn curry at Seabelle.

I eventually found Beach Road and made my way to a secluded spot, surrounded by tropical trees, next to a pristine beach. Then the Coca-Cola sign appeared, boasting ‘Seabelle’. I smiled as I saw all of the curries I love on the menu, and giggled at the name given to grilled chicken: flattie and chips. A local next to me had delicious-looking atchar; but I was gently assured that everyone gets one of these bowls of fresh apple, carrots, cabbage and chilli tossed in a spicy sauce, served with a simple salad of iceberg lettuce, tomato and onion.

The fiery curry was perfect – plump prawns smothered in fragrant tomato gravy – and I couldn’t resist the lamb on the bone: hot, with sugar beans. I relished every bite, mopping up the last of it with a roti, before heading back out. I had a two and a half hour drive ahead of me to the Midlands, with nothing but my sweetmeats to keep me company. 

Happy eating!

Abigail

Image: robbplusjessie