Eat Out’s favourite romantic restaurants

It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. To celebrate, we asked our team for their favourite romantic destinations. At Eat Out, of course, we love nothing more than to eat.

 
Editor Abigail Donnelly is a curry fan. Her most romantic spot? Maharajah. Her favourite dish? Hot lamb on the bone. When in Joburg, she heads for lunch at The Leopard or brunch at Salvationcafe. Her favourite Durban spot for a romantic bite is Seabelle on the beach.

Account manager Claire Buchanan reveals, “The most romantic meal I ever had (I can’t even remember if the food was good) was at Five Flies in the ‘cellar’ – a small private room big enough for a table for two complete with rose petals and candles. The Noisy Oyster in Paternoster is also pretty romantic, in the courtyard with the braziers, fairy lights and, of course, oysters!”

Editorial director Anelde Greeff says many of her most romantic dinners have been at home. “If I have to mention a restaurant experience, I'll go with a recent visit to Dias Tavern. It was a first date of sorts, and we went there because we were both craving Portuguese food. There's nothing romantic about Diaz – it's busy and noisy, the décor is incidental and you sit on plastic chairs. The food, however, is sublime – perfectly grilled steaks, saucy trinchado, delectable seafood and fluffy white rolls. And somehow, in the middle of the racket, sharing a plate of grilled sardines on a tiny table for two, was one of the most romantic moments of my life.”

Online editor Katharine Jacobs heads to Bardelli’s in Kenilworth for a romantic meal. “It’s nice and dark, and the little interleading rooms make the dining experience much more intimate.” Her other favourite date idea? Heading out for a picnic.

 
Editorial assistant Kelly Pluke heads to Sevruga for a romantic evening. “My boyfriend and I both love sushi and we are both very fun-loving, quirky people. We sit at the outside deck, share a sushi platter and a bottle of wine – and of course, comment on all funny characters that pass by.”

Werner Hayward from advertising sales says his favourite is the Firefly in Knysna. It’s “baie moranties,” he teases, and says it has awesome atmosphere and food.

Copy editor Linda Scarborough says, “I like A Touch of Madness in Obs, mostly because it’s candlelit and they serve you sherry in giant goblets. Chandani in Woodstock is pretty too, with all the sumptuous fabrics, carved wooden screens and silver dishes. And seriously yummy and fragrant Indian food.”

Managing editor Alicia Erasmus told us: “If I had to choose it will be The Wild Fig in Mowbray. It was there that I met my boyfriend Ricardo face-to-face for the first time. (We were set up by a mutual friend.) That was 4 years ago!”

Juliette Robertson, from our ad sales team says the most romantic meal she’s ever had was at The Beach House in Mauritius (owned by former rugby star Cabous van der Westhuizen). “It’s right on the beach with a beautiful view and good food, but then again, maybe it had more to do with the gorgeous French man I had dinner with…”

Business manager Bronwyn McCafferty heads to The Grand in Granger Bay for a special meal. “There’s nothing more romantic than the beautiful Cape Town setting overlooking the ocean.”

Mandy Petim from advertising sales is a La Colombe fan. (It placed in the top 10 of the 2011 Eat Out DStv Food Network Restaurant Awards) Mandy says that the food, ambience and attentive staff make for a perfect evening.

Where are you dining out this Valentine’s Day? Be sure to write us a review (but only after you order decadent dessert).

Photograph featured on homepage: Denise Carrasco