Back to Events Month-end Run - Sunday 29 April 2007
Magical Moroccan Mystery Tour!Report back by Eileen Cruise
Those of you who didn't manage to make it to the month end run missed out big time! 13 members braved the cold on the day. We all had a most enjoyable outing even though the weather was a bit remiss. The skies were grey and we got wet quite a few times en route but the venue and the exquisite concoctions of food made up for the dampness in the air. After meandering along country roads that look far better when dressed in sunshine shades of colours, especially during autumn, we finally arrived at our mystery destination.
Finkel & Koljander is a delightful Moroccan restaurant on a farm 7km outside of Durbanville. Their business card says Moroccan Fusion Cuisine which is just modern jargon for amazing mouth-watering food. We found the place in a most unlikely setting at the end of a farm road. We were greeted by several tented structures which I suppose are utilised when the weather is fairer. The main entrance led us into a darkened interior that is reminiscent of a scene from Arabian Nights. There were candles and lanterns shining in little alcoves whichever way you turned and there were two huge fires lit that cast a warm glow over everything. There was a smell of something exotic cooking in the background somewhere and each member of staff wore a mask that reminded me of a masked ball. The welcome drink was a hot ginger and cinnamon concoction that went down very well after sitting in a cold car with no heating, so I had two glasses thereof!
Lunch was going to be served at 12pm so folk got themselves a drink and hung around the bar or explored the colourful and inviting interior of the restaurant to bide time. Seating was a choice of high backed chairs or divans covered in huge comfy cushions. There was a buffet style lunch served which looked very colourful and included a delicious butternut and quince soup, so unusual it was sampled by everyone and some even went back for seconds. Other starters included mussels, spring rolls, meatballs, an Arabian style salad of beets and soft cheeses, humus, tzatziki, pita bread and baby plum tomatoes. These were very well received and there was plenty for seconds too. For mains there were several hot dishes served in Dijeens which are ceramic dishes with lids that are shaped like the tall woven hats worn by some African tribes. There were two lamb dishes, an oxtail stew and a spicy butter chicken dish. Best of all, in Tim's opinion was the seafood stew of which he had two servings. These were all served with basmati rice and a couscous salad. By the time we had partaken of these divine north African delicacies we were all replete and some of us felt adventurous and ordered the Moroccan coffee which came served on individual trays in miniature coffee pots and tiny dishes of brown sugar and whipped cream with dainty little spoons to serve. You poured the coffee into a glass which had a stick of cinnamon in to stir the coffee with and which also added a delicate flavour. I was amazed at the whole experience and shall definitely be recommending it to all my friends. Tim is planning on us paying a return visit to celebrate his 50th birthday which is in early June. (The 5th if anyone's interested). I haven't had such a nice meal on a club outing since we went to the German Brauhaus last year. Obviously the cultural experience is my thing.