Bucket Seat: KIA GOTG Campaign

Kia South Africa this week launches a unique ‘Test Drive for Good’ campaign in the Kwa-Zulu Natal province, inviting all residents in the province to help raise funds for acclaimed Pietermaritzburg-based humanitarian aid organisation, Gift of the Givers. Open to all residents in the province, Kia South Africa - with its 12-strong dealer network in the province - is committing a donation of R100 to Gift of the Givers for every test drive completed over the Heritage Day weekend in September. 

“The Kia brand is celebrating its 25th anniversary in South Africa this year and has had a presence in the Kwa-Zulu Natal province right from the beginning,” comments Gary Scott, CEO, Kia South Africa. “As we celebrate the success of the brand over this period, we want to give back to the communities we serve and, in the spirit of our brand slogan Movement that inspires, Kia wants to partner with the residents of the province – whether they are Kia owners or not – to achieve this goal by blending a brand experience with collaborative fundraising in a fun and highly relevant, localised manner.” 

Kia South Africa is a long-standing supporter of Gift of the Givers, individually and as part of Motus Holdings. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, Motus Holdings donated four vehicles to further aid the life-saving work Gift of the Givers do. In March 2021, Kia also donated a Sportage 2.0 CRDi EX AWD to the organisation, used primarily by Dr. Sooliman as he travelled across South Africa on various humanitarian missions in execution of the organisation’s mandate.

“As South Africans doing business with South Africans in South Africa, it is critical to us that the Kia brand is trusted and loved by all South Africans,” adds Scott. “Our desire to facilitate change while providing mobility resonates with Gift of the Givers’ position of providing assistance unconditionally and assisting the needy, irrespective of human or animal, race, religion, colour, class, political affiliation or geographic location.”

The ‘Test Drive for Good’ campaign follows a donation of R100,000 to the organisation at the beginning of September. The donation was presented to Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman during Kia South Africa’s 2023 Kia Leadership Conference, where Dr. Sooliman delivered a message of hope and resilience to the 120-plus audience. Gift of the Givers Foundation is the largest indigenous disaster response NGO (non-governmental organisation) on the African continent, with the essence of its presence being to bring hope and restore dignity to the most vulnerable. Its primary focus is on disaster response, hunger alleviation, water provision, healthcare, education and social upliftment. 

Kia has 12 dealerships in the Kwa-Zulu Natal province, specifically in Newcastle, Vryheid, Empangeni, Ballito, uMhlanga, Durban Central, Springfield, Amanzimtoti, Port Shepstone, Pinetown, Hillcrest and Pietermaritzburg. All of these dealers, with the exception of Kia Durban Central, will be open throughout the Heritage Day weekend, and collectively have the ambitious target of completing at least 3,000 test drives between Friday, September 22nd, and Monday, September 25th. With weather and other elements coming into play, KIA South Africa have decided to extend this campaign to this weekend, between Friday 29th September till and including Monday 2nd October! 

“We believe that our exclusive partnership with Gift of the Givers, itself a Kwa-Zulu Natal-based organisation, will ensure that all funds raised through the campaign are utilised to the direct benefit of the province’s residents,” adds Scott. “It’s as simple as completing a test drive of any Kia model at any Kwa-Zulu Natal Kia dealership, a simple act that guarantees a donation of R100 to Gift of the Givers by Kia. Let’s unite this Heritage Day weekend and collectively create a movement that changes an immeasurable number of lives for the better.” 

For more information, visit Test Drive For Good

Gary Rom - Umhlanga

Gary Rom hairdressers need no introduction to the South African market as they are one of the more popular franchises around with a big footprint in Guateng, they are expanding their reach to KZN with the first salon opening in Umhlanga from December 2020. This particular store is aimed and the male market, something which has been lacking for us Durbanites. While ladies are spoilt for choice when it comes to their pamper sessions, men had only their general barbers to go get a haircut and odd shave. Gary Rom Man offers so much more than just a haircut as I got to find out last week. They ensure that they leave no stone unturned to offer you the ultimate grooming experience. 

Upon arrival, I was greeted by the store manager who was very welcoming and accommodating, making sure all Covid protocols were handled by means of temperature check and form filled, it was time to get my hair did but first, a visit to the lounge area where a host of lifestyle magazines were available to read as well as being offered a drink while I wait, apart from the usual coffee options, there was also a well stocked bar, which has some great single malts and other spirits should you wish to indulge before your session. 

Not longer after I had my drink in hand, I was summoned to the chair by my barber for the day, Chadwin who was going to be in charge of making me look good, not an easy task but he seemed to be confident of the task at hand. Guiding me to the sanitized chair where I was then cloaked up and ready for my trim. What strikes you first about Gary Rom Man is the set-up, well for me personally I've never seen such a wide variety of machines and scissors which were on display, after telling Chadwin what I had in mind and how I preferred my hair cut, he got to it but with intricacy and patience that I've never experienced before. To my surprise he spent quite a long time ensuring my fade was meticulously done with precise blending before moved onto chopping my hair to make sure the final product looked good. What I loved about my haircut was that it wasn't rushed, while every cut is appointment based, there wasn't that sense of urgency that you may have at other establishments which gave me the sense of every client being important to them. 

Once done with the hair, it was time for the shave, I opted for the steam shave which in itself was quite fascinating as they have a steamer over your face ensuring your skin stays moist and warm before your face is lathered up and you get the smoothest shave this end of the east coast. Feeling nice and fresh after the shave I was also offered a facial, now it was highly recommended and not having had one before I was intrigued to say the least. It was a rather refreshing as part of the process is to exfoliate and remove dead or dry skin as well as deep clean the skin to have you glowing. After this is complete, your face gets covered by a refreshing hot towel for a few minutes and you're all done to hit the town. 

All in all, my experience at Gary Rom Man Umhlanga was nothing short of exceptional. It was a great to see that there are various treatments offered to men as well as being taken cared of so well by the management and staff. What was great to note that they spare no expense on how they treat clientele, from the time you arrive, to the refreshments on offer and the products they use, all high quality and worth every cent of your time spent there. It was also such a relaxed environment, far from the rush and cut that I've become to accustomed to most of my life. It's definitely changed my perspective on men's grooming and now I cannot wait for my next session. 

You can visit Gary Rom Man at Umhlanga Center, 189 Ridge Road, Umhlanga Rocks. 

Call to make your appointment now on: 031 880 1955

Entertainer 2019

Last night we attended the Durban launch of the Entertainer 2019, at a 60's themed party at Buff Parlour in Umhlanga. The event was to launch the 2019 edition of the much loved app which allows the buyer to make use of 1000's of buy one get one free offers. Speaking at the launch, Tyrone Rothwell, the country manager for the Entertainer South Africa said that Durban has shown phenomenal growth for them in the past year, with a percentage of 157%!  Other cities including Johannesburg and Cape Town have also shown a great growth margin but Durban led the pack and its with that, they've decided to bring you more on offer for the new year. With over a 1000 various offers, ranging from food, drinks, beauty and travel if one had to make use of every single deal on the app, it would give you a combined saving or approximately R5.5million!

I've been personally making use of the app since I got it last year, and saved a lot on a night out with them having most of my favourite spots available on there. The great thing about the app now is that you can save not only just for food and drinks but also beauty treatments, sporting activities and travel. The list of partners is ever growing and it is an investment that will pay itself out within two or three times by using the app. It really is a no brainer if you're one that frequents going out, with the number of deals and the variety on offer, it will have something for everyone. 

IBV Supercars, Art & Shopping Festival

This weekend see's high-end fashion, art and luxury performance motoring merge into one as Gateway Theatre of Shopping plays host to the first ever IBV Supercars, Art and Shopping Festival. 

This upcoming long-weekend, Umhlanga will be a hive of activity as the world's finest luxury vehicles, supercars and vintage models make their way to Gateway Theatre of Shopping, for the inaugural IBV Supercars, Art and Shopping Festival. This not-to-be-missed event takes place throughout Gateway from the 26-19 April. Art in many forms will be showcased as visitors to the centre enjoy live music, visual art, fashion shows and more!

This bespoke event is the first of many global Supercar, Art and Shopping Festivals that will unite like-minded people whom share an interest in art, fashion and the thrill of luxury performance vehicles. 

Automotive enthusiats can expect a thrilling display of high-end vintage models and extravagant supercars, as well as an exclusive supercar automotive auction. For those with a love for paintings, sculptures and photography, a huge variety of artwork will be exhibited throughout the centre.

On Saturday 28th April 2018, the festivities will culminate in a high-end fashion show, where local designers and exclusive brands will showcase their ready-to-wear garments. 

Visitors to the centre will also be able to take advantage of the incredible offers and mega sales many of Gateway's tenants will be offering for the long weekend only! Visit Gateway's social media pages for more info on these deals. 

Top Beaches in Cape Town & Durban - Guest Post

With the year winding down and summer on the way, everyone is getting into holiday mode and what better place to be than at the seaside? With this in mind, today's blog post will feature a list of some of the best beaches to visit in Cape Town and Durban, it's a list compiled by guest writer for the blog, Zaytoon Hanief, who writes for the Travel Start blog. She shares her insights into the top beaches to visit in SA, so you can plan in advance where to spend your summer days enjoying the seaside. 

Top beaches in Cape Town and Durban

Summer is basically here and in South Africa, that means good times filled with friends, fun activities and lots and lots of Instagram moments!

For a lot of us here in Jozi, that also means heading to South Africa’s coastal cities and enjoying some much-needed time at the beach!

Durban and Cape Town are some top choices as they offer a great variety of options, whether its family fun, surfing or just a girls/boys’ weekend away that you’re after!

Here are some top beaches that you should definitely visit when visiting our coastal cities:

Cape Town

Llandudno Beach

If you’re not looking out for the sign on the road from Camps Bay to Hout Bay, you may just miss the turn-off to one of the city’s most laid-back and beautiful beaches. Llandudno is especially loved by locals because of its location alone, meaning that you’re bound to run into many easy-going Capetonians. Not just a beach for sunbathing, Llandudno is also a great spot for surfers and bodyboarders alike.

Local tip: If you’re driving, make sure to arrive very early during peak season as parking fills up easily. Alternatively, take the MyCiti bus and walk down the winding driveway, but be warned the walk back up is bound to be quite a work out!

Camps Bay Beach

Probably the most famous beach in all of Cape Town, Camps Bay Beach is a top tourist attraction. It has everything that you could hope for, including sparkly (though somewhat icy!) water, glistering white sand, space for all, nearby convenience stores, top-notch restaurants and also public transport.

Local tip: During the summer period, it may be difficult to escape the crowds but there’s always a loophole. Unless you don’t mind the crowds, try to visit during the week days. Summer days in Cape Town are long and hot, and even if you’re only getting to the beach at 4.30pm after work, you’re still guaranteed at least two hours of beach time.

Clifton Beaches

A staple for the rich, famous and all of us in between, the four Clifton beaches have long since been seen as the beaches of Cape Town. Top of the list is Clifton 4th beach, cornered off by million-dollar beach houses, perfectly-placed natural boulders to keep the wind at bay and of course, the most beautiful shimmering waves and white sand. What’s not to admire? Clifton is also home to 1st, 2nd and 3rd beach – each known for their somewhat different crowds but each a masterpiece of its own. Do yourself a favour and walk along the coast from 1st to 4th beach to take in its full grandeur!

Local tip: The beaches of Clifton can get pretty packed as well, but for a slightly thinner crowd head over to 2nd and 1st beach.  

Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach is the perfect beach-meets-picnic spot. The water is warmer (thankfully!) due to its location on the Indian Ocean side of the Cape Peninsula and the large boulders in the water make for a pretty safe and tranquil spot to float on your back and just unwind. Of course, one cannot mention Boulders Beach without talking about the African penguins that you’re bound to see! Picture yourself not just admiring them from a distance, but instead sharing a sandy spot with them just two metres away, or swimming right next to these feathery cuties in the ocean – there’s nothing quite like it for sure!

Local tip: Go early and pack in plenty of food and drinks to last you many, many hours as you’ll find it hard to want to leave this ideal location!

Durban

Umhlanga Rocks Beach

The golden sand of this glorious stretch is guaranteed to get you swimming! Unlike the colder waters of the Cape Peninsula beaches, the beaches of KwaZulu Natal invite you in as the temperatures have been known to hit 25 degrees Celsius during summer! Umhlanga Rocks Beach is one of Durban’s finest, with an enigmatic ebb and flow of the waves. The paved walkway alongside the ocean allows visitors to take in its sights before heading in and enjoying its warm waters.

Local tip: bring your wellies if you’re a bit of an explorer as there are some great rock pools to explore along the beach.

North Beach

North Beach in Durban is possibly the most well-known and popular beach in all of Durban. There’s so much variety of activities to do here that you could plan to stay in the area for a week and still not get bored. The warm waters offer the ideal swimming location, but be warned that it does get extremely crowded and you may need to get there at 6am to find a good spot during the summer holidays!

Local tip: Not just a beach to be enjoyed during the daytime hours, North Beach is known to be a thriving and energetic evening location too. Pack some cash in your back pocket as you enjoy some of Durban’s finest treats along the boardwalk.

Willard Beach, Ballito

Calling all surfers, bodyboarders and everyone else who enjoys some good waves with the sun on their skin! Willard Beach is the main beach of the town of Ballito, just outside Durban, and you can rest assured that you’ll have a great time on this Blue Flag beach. Another firm favourite just around the corner from Willard Beach is Thompson Beach.

Local tip: the beach gets really crowded during peak season and summer weekends. If you’re not too keen on this, there are plenty of other, more secluded beaches in the Ballito area for you to enjoy.

These are just of the top beaches to enjoy, so make sure to visit them on your next trip to Cape Town and Durban!

Bucket Scene: Cattle Baron - Pearls Mall

There was a time in Durban where there were not that many grill houses around and one had to resort to the basic chain restaurants which while are okay, doesn't give you that same satisfaction that one of the more premium ones give when having a meal. Fortunately times have changed and grill houses are abundant with us spoiled for choice to be honest. The recent opening of the Pearls Mall in Umhlanga has seen one of the big names in Steak Houses occupying a prime location on the malls roadside front. Cattle Baron has a great heritage in the Cape and it's nice to see it opening on the East Coast of SA. I've never eaten at one before so my first experience was at the new store in Umhlanga. 

With the Pearls Mall being marketed as a high end lifestyle center, the introduction of this restaurant is quite welcomed, the decor is modern and the store is spacious but still has the warmth to it that you expect from a grill house. It can accommodate large groups of patrons and also has intimate couch seating for couples and small families. Being on the sea facing end of the mall, there is also an out door balcony seating area which I tried when I first visited, unfortunately with Durban's temperamental weather, it began raining soon after we were seated so we had to move indoors. 

So far I've visited the Cattle Baron at Pearls Mall twice so far, once just after it opened and the second visit was a month ago. While there were slight issues on my first visit in terms of service, I did understand the place was fairly new and long as the food was great, that was all that mattered. Apart from the great wine selection as one would expect at a grill house, they also have a good collection of whisky's which I was quite happy to see. Other drinks on the menu do include beers, ciders, cool drinks and hot drinks. 

While I do frequently visit Steak Houses, I do not eat steak due to religiously reasons but the Cattle Baron does have a variety of cuts and options to chose from. On my first visit I opted for a poultry dish, the chicken parmesan which reads of the menu as "deep-fried chicken breasts layered with bacon, smothered in cheese sauce, sprinkled with Parmesan shavings and topped with toasted onions" enough to make ones mouth salivate. The dish was awesome, chicken was succulent, the cheese sauce was not too over pouring, the onions were light and sweet and the salty, crispy bacon brought all the elements on the plate together beautifully. 

On my second visit I went with my stock standard order at a grill house, Lam Loin Chops. For me the make or break to a good lamb chops is its basting sauce and how it's prepared. I asked for it to be done medium to well which they got right to the t. The meat soft and tender which just melts in your mouth and the basting sauce was superb which found me licking my fingers. It's nice to see that apart from the regular starch that's always offered to a meal, the Cattle Baron also provides a complimentary hot veg for the table as I found myself going for a few helpings of the cream spinach. 

Also compared to other steak houses, the Cattle Baron has quite a few vegetarian options which I found great. 

The dessert menu is also quite extensive and features many of SA's favorites including malva pudding and cheese cake. I settled for a creme brullee and coffee. The sugar top was just the right thickness, I find some places over do it with the sugar and you spend more time try to get shards of sugar out of your teeth than enjoying the custard. Overall both dinning experiences at Cattle Baron Umhlanga were great and satisfactory, with the place having a welcoming atmosphere and keen prices, the staff and owner who made a point of coming to greet each patron added a nice touch and even offered a free dessert to one in our group because her mains arrived late.

*all pictures from the website: www.cattlebaron.co.za

Krispy Kreme - Durban

The secret was let out a few weeks ago at Gateways Out The Box event but yes, the big news is that the popular American Doughnut franchise is coming to the east coast! Krispy Kreme is set to open its first store outside the Guateng Province at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Umhlanga, Kwa-Zulu Natal in March next year. With the shopping centre winning numerous accolades including the Daily News Your Choice "Best Shopping Centre" award, it was evident why it was chosen for their location of choice in KZN. "Krispy Kreme South Africa is extremely proud and excited to share the joy that is Krispy Kreme with Durban and creates wonderful memories" says Krispy Kreme South Africa CEO, Gerry Thomas. 

The international brand that is Krispy Kreme has been around for 79 years and with Gateway being one of Africa's leading and most prestigious shopping centres, the opening of this Krispy Kreme store symbolizes a prominent step in the brands local journey. The first flagship store was opened in 2015, there after saw an additional four Krispy Kreme outlets opening around Gauteng, at the Gautrain Sandton Station, Mall of Africa, Clearwater Mall and Sandton City respectively. There also plan on opening another two more stores before year end at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre and Eastgate Shopping Centre in November and December respectively. 

"It is strategic to Krispy Kreme South Africa's rollout that we open stores in major regional shopping centers. Krispy Kreme South Africa are very fortunate to have secured a prime location in Gateway Theatre of Shopping, making this launch all more exciting", said Thmas. He went on to say "The Gateway Theatre of Shopping is Durban's superior retail node and as a prremium international braand, this locaation is the perfect fit for Krispy Kreme. The store position is also well seituated as the samler Krispy Kreme fresh stores planned for Durban's other major centers wiill be supplied out of the Gateway factory production store."

The store will be located at shop G350, which is on the outer side of the Center facing Palm Boulevard. Stay tuned to the blog or our Facebook page for more updates as they come. 

Bucket Scene: Hudsons Burger Joint - Umhlanga

So my favourite burger joint opened in Durban last week, for me Hudsons was my first taste of a "gourmet burger" if you can call it that. My first experience was at their original store on Kloofnek Street in Cape Town, back then they still had lamb burgers on the menu, I was hooked thereafter, and clearly I wasn't the only one as they then started to expand, opening up more stores around the city and then tried their hands in foreign territory, opening up a branch in Parkhhurst, Johannesburg. When on my travels to either city I would try to go have a meal there at least once during my stay and more often that not I would stick to my favourite burger on the menu, seeing that I only had Hudsons once in a while

Now you can only imagine my joy when I found out that Hudsons were opening in Durban, situated on the corner of Lighthouse Rd and Chartwell Drive, in the building that formerly housed the Dutch, is where you will find them. They've redone most of the interior, making it more of a diner/ dive sort of setting, which is chilled and relaxed. The menu has been slightly tweaked to suit the Durban market and they have a host of burgers to suit any palate and now since they in Durban I can try other burgers on the menu! But being the first time in their new Durban branch I went along and ordered my usual, the Bacon Jam. Some say it is their best burger on the menu but for me it ticks all the right boxes, succulent patty topped with cheddar cheese, lettuce, bacon jam and crispy dusted onion rings, I swop out the beef patty for ostrich since I don't eat beef.

Apart from delicious burgers, they have a host of other items on the menu, like appetisers of which include Chilli Poppers, Chicken Strips and Sliders, if you're looking for something healthy on the menu, there's always the salads if which I've heard the "The Empire" is quite good and they also offer grills and tacos if you looking for something else. All that eating will require something equally good to wash it down with, thankfully they have a great selection of cold brews, with a variety of local craft beers, some of which are served on tap , a full on cocktail menu and extensive wine list for you to choose from. 

For those who are after the sweeter things in life, their dessert menu will have you drooling, the Deep Fried Oreos are certainly one to try. They have a great range of milkshakes as well, with The Cookie Monster being the ultimate, it has Bar One, Cookie Crumb rim topped with whipped cream and chocolate chip cookies. I've yet to try this one out but it's on the list of things I need to try. Overall, my first Hudsons Durban experience was nothing short of great, with the store fairly new,  there were minor hiccups but nothing to be concerned over, the food is great, the beers are cold and everyone has a smile on their face, is there anything else you need? 

For more information you can visit their website: theburgerjoint.co.za

Bucket Scene: The Dutch - ReImagined

Many a Durban night goer would be familiar with the Dutch in the Umhlanga Village, popular for it's classic 70's style decor, live bands and great bar but the owners of this fine establishment felt that it wasn't what they had envisioned for the place. After a brief shutdown in February, the Dutch reopened it's doors to the public and I was invited to sample what the new look, well rather "re imagined" Dutch is all about. 

I get asked all the time for popular night spots for people to visit and dine at, and also places that offer live entertainment, whilst there are plenty of places in Durban that offer great food, there was a gap in the market for a place that offered both. The Dutch always prided themselves in hosting some of the best local talents on their stage but their food menu was limited to tapas like variety but that has all changed now. The team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring you a menu that takes your taste buds on a gastronomical adventure. 

The Dutch now operates as premium dinning and entertainment venue, with them operating from Tuesday to Saturday with live entertainment scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Unlike before, booking is a must if you want to visit the Dutch as the venue can accommodate 100 seated guest and a few more around the bar. Since the venue is now a restaurant, crowd control is paramount to ensure that diners have the best dinning experience. Whilst still enjoying themselves to the entertainment on offer.

The night of my visit, Durban's very own Gangs of Ballet were performing live. With their performance scheduled for 10pm it gave diners ample time to enjoy dinner before the show started, speaking of dinner, it's definitely not to be skipped, the menu is a mixture of local favourites with a twist only the Dutch could pull off. One does not have to do a full dinner as tapas and cocktails can be had either at your table or at the bar. 

For starters I opted for the Prawn Samoosa, which consist of a generous amount of prawns and yellow potato filling served in 3 golden brown crispy fried samoosa's served on a bed of cucumber raita and paprika oil. It's the perfect balance of hot and cool, with flavours to awaken your sense for the next course. 

For mains they have seven options to chose from, whether you looking for something light like a burger or sliders to a fillet steak served on cheese polenta and red wine jus. They even one of the few restaurants I know of that serve Norwegian Salmon that is specially imported and prepared in miso and honey glaze, accompanied with umami courgette stir fry, sweet confit cherry tomatoes and wasabi spinach mayo.

Whilst the first and second course might be quite a mouthful, be sure to save some space for dessert! With the Dutch being from the same brainchild as Remo's and Old Town Italy who are both renowned for their pastries and desserts, most particularly the ever popular cronut, you know the dessert menu is going to be good. While I opted for the lemon brulee, which was more of a deconstructed lemon meringue, a friend at the table went for the coconut macaroons. Both of which were exceptional and left us wanting more.

With our hunger satisfied, it was time for us to settle in and enjoy the sounds of the guys from Gangs of Ballet who took us away with their wonderful melodies in a great unplugged set whilst enjoying our drinks for the rest of the night. It was truly a great evening out and an experience that was missing in the Durban night. Whether you go for dinner or just for a quiet drink, the Dutch will certainly cater for even the most distinguished taste. 

For  booking inquiries and more information,

Telephone: 060 588 5674

Website: http://thedutch.co.za/

Facebook: Dutchism

Instagram: the.dutch

Address: Cnr of Chartwell Dr & Lighthouse Rd, Umhlanga

Bucket Seat: 14 on Chartwell

Umhlanga's Chartwell drive, the ever growing buzz of the North just got another hot spot added to it. Well 14 on Chartwell has been open since last year November but I only got the chance to pay it a visit last night. If you were in Durban over the festive season you would know that the Village was the place to be, with the tourists visiting the warm beaches of the east coast, the bars and restaurants on Chartwell drive was the perfect escape for a bite to eat and a cold drink to quench the thirst. The place was buzzing and if you didn't have a table booked anywhere, chances were you were going to wait a long time or not getting a table at all. 

Anyway, I walked passed 14 on Chartwell a number of times during my visits to Umhlanga and if you haven't seen it before, they've done a marvelous job with the decor, large windows let passers by gaze into the inside which is well lit, snazzy and has a lovely lounge vibe, it was always packed and made one quite envious if you were not inside. 

A friend of mine was down from the UK and wanted to meet for dinner, this was the perfect opportunity to check the place out. Thinking that most people are back at work, I didn't think to make a booking, silly me. The place is still buzzing and we had to wait for a table, the staff were extremely accommodating, allowing us to wait on a table outside whilst one freed up inside, alternatively one could have waited at the bar, which is the main focal point of the establishment and they have quite a nice selection of spirits as well as great Craft Beer of the menu. 

If you think the place looked great from the outside, the inside is even better! The layout is great with scattered tables mixed with lounged areas for large groups on the sides, as I said the bar is the main focal point in the center but the place has a nice flow and relaxed atmosphere. It may look fancy but it rather chilled, perfect for an evening of drinks with friends. 

Onto the food, the menu is of a substantial variety, offering something for everyone's pallet and pleasantly surprised that it is very reasonably priced! For starters I ordered the Asian Lamb Riblets, which were char-grilled sticky hoisin marinade with nam jim dipping sauce. They were done to perfection, just about medium and the meat tender and succulent. I quite enjoyed the dipping sauce as well, a mixture of herbs, ginger and garlic. 

It took me a while to decide on what to have for mains as there were so much on offer that I fancied, I eventually settled for the smothered chicken breasts. Two chicken breast, lightly grilled with spices, topped with a finger licking sun dried tomato, basil and parmesan cream sauce accompanied with pan fried gnocchi. It was full of flavour and that sauce was nothing short of exquisite, it had me wiping the plate with the last gnocchi I had. 

The desert menu seemed quite tempting but after those two courses I was stuffed but  I will be back for that Hot Fudge Sundae as it seems to be the popular one on the menu. Overall 14 on Chartwell is a winner in my books, it's a different and much needed offering to the Umhlanga scene. It's already quite a hit with the crowd and busy on most nights so be sure to book to avoid disappointment. 

Address: 14 Chartwell Drive, Umhlanga Rocks

Telephone: 031 561 1017

Facebook: 14 on Chartwell

Email: fourteen@14onchartwell.com