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Where to eat when you’re on holiday in Margate.

Posted on 20. Dec, 2009 by vincenthofmann in Blog, Food, featured

You’ve just skipped through the Port Shepstone toll plaza, and you’re on your way to Marine Drive, Margate. Margate, the mecca to the annual migration of the middle classes, unrepentant humidity and host to a plethora of poorly appointed restaurants and even worse menus. So I’ve taken it upon myself to guide you to the decent eateries in Margate – so that you don’t have to sit on Margate Main Beach forcing yourself to ignore the scortching heat like a politician might the abhorrent cold in Geneva this time of year.

The beaches are great, but why bother going to Margate main beach when it’s crowded by those who you’ve attempted to ditch on the way down? Instead relax in Glenmore, head down to Port Edward beach or walk South from Southbroom beach to the Admiralty. Do not go to Ramsgate main beach, avoid Uvongo (what’s left of it) and don’t bother trying to get parking at Margate Main beach, you’re on holiday why stress yourself out?

The food on the South Coast is surprisingly good. Look beyond the meager Larry’s, Mugg and Bean  etc. offering, skip the Wimpy and don’t bother going to any of the fly by night seafood restaurants – as Talita would say “life is too short for bad food” and in Margate if you don’t have your wits about you’ll be hurried along with the other cattle only to watch the herd masticate preservative-laden meals and swallow Coke concurrently.

Try the locals favourite La Capannina (book well in advance) for an Italian meal served by Carlo and Barbara.

Est. in 1989 by Carlo and Barbara, your hosts.

When it comes to really good Italian food… the choice is obvious. Some of our favourites include Roasted Lambshank, Oven-roasted Chicken and our medley of seafood cassarole Fettuccini Marinara. Specials include Oxtail and Tripe.

Our Pizzas and Pastas are renowned. Selection of Estate Wines are available.

Open: Tues-Sat: Lunch 12-2pm & Dinner 6-9pm

Sun & Mon in high season.

If you’ve been sucker punched and you bought an over priced property in SouthBroom for your holiday jaunt try Trattoria La Terrazza, owner run and quite consistent – again book well in advance as the proprietors will not be able to accommodate you regardless of how golden your tan is.

Set in idyllic surroundings on the banks of the Umkobi lagoon, Trattoria La Terrazza commands views of beauty and tranquillity in all directions. Nicci and Massimo Negra’s relaxing venue offers al fresco dining on the veranda or shady terrazzo, or elegant dining in it’s charming interior. Often simply known as The Trattoria to locals, La Terrazza as it should be called, has a reputation for being one of the South Coast’s finest restaurants.

Self taught Nicci has adapted the Italian theme with mastery and created a menu with interest and variety. Prime ingredients, sophisticated sauces and freshly picked herbs create fresh and exciting dishes that are served with elegance on flower-garnished plates.

Try the Grilled Scallops to start, with lemon juice, olive oil and red peppers served with fresh greens. The Spaghetti Gamberini, the sauce combines tomatoes, garlic, white wine, ginger, coriander and chilli, is topped with prawns, and the oven-baked Linguini with a salmon cream and dill sauce are just two of a selection of pasta to make the mouth water. The grilled meats and daily line fish are prepared with imagination and finesse and the Whole Grilled Red Snapper is a winner with a green olive, caper and lemon tapenade. Complete the meal with a selection of desserts including Kahlua Affogato, or the tantalizing Pear and Pecan Cupcake and of course, genuine Italian coffee.

http://www.dining-out.co.za/member_details-MemberID-2017.html

Casa Toscana Ristorante is perhaps the best of the bunch, with subtly flavoured dishes served in an old farm house with a view over the Mpenyati. Casa Toscana’s menu frequently changes as the chef Marisa (owner and interesting dinner guest) makes her way through her vast foody-repertoire.

Bread is baked daily. Home-made pastas complement favourite dishes such as the rocket and prawn tagliolini, while the tender rosemary fillet is a genuine Tuscan treat. Freshly-made desserts, such as a perfect Panna cotta and the decadent Dolce Maria round off a sensational gastronomic experience.

Hosts Mario and Marisa Toniolo open Casa Toscana Thursday to Saturday for dinner and Sunday for lunch. Bookings are essential.

http://www.sherwoodforest.co.za/restaurants/casatoscana.html

There are the old favourites like the Waffle House, but really it’s on the main road, a bit over priced and often far too busy to really provide you the lazy-lull under the sun you’ve earned. Instead of standing in a queue, why not go to the nearest butchery, wait for the sun to begin fading and set up a braai on one of the many bays on the stretch from Ramsgate to Southbroom – wouldn’t you rather put your feet up with a cold drink amongst friends than sit in a stuffy building amongst fellow travelers?

If I must be honest however, the best kitchen and the greatest chef in Margate, has to be my Father, and the greatest place to really relax is beside the pool at home. If you’re unlucky and aren’t blessed with a Chef-Dad, Chef-Gran and the professor-of-desserts-Mom, then take my advice gather your loved ones together and relax in Margate – because there’s no better place for it!

La Capannina

Share your La Capannina experience on their Facebook Group at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ramsgate-South-Africa/LA-CAPANNINA-Ristorante-Italiano-Ramsgate/94551093557?ref=ts#/pages/Ramsgate-South-Africa/LA-CAPANNINA-Ristorante-Italiano-Ramsgate/94551093557?ref=ts

Tratorria La Terazza

039-316-6162
Fax:: 039-316-8031
masniki@venturenet.co.za

Outlook Road
Umkobi Lagoon
Southbroom South
4277

Lunch: Friday – Sunday
12:30 – 14:30
and other days by arrangement

Dinner: Monday – Sunday
18:00 – 23:00

Casa Toscana Ristorante

Local Tel : 039-313-0058

Casa Toscana Ristorante
Poggio Farm
Trafalgar
KZN

 

 

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Tags: Casa Toscana, Italian food margate, La Capannina, La Trattoria, Margate Food, where to eat in margate