Fun new Glenwood food stop
Origano 90 Helen Joseph Road, Glenwood, Durban Phone: 081 827 8811. Hours: Mon – Thurs: 9am – 9pm; Fri – Sat: 9am – 10pm; Sun: 9am – 9pm GLENWOOD has long been a fun restaurant and bar node. Recently though, there has been an investment in fast food restaurants and other eateries, particularly in Helen Joseph (Davenport) Road.
Having booked, we chose a table outside on a muggy evening and from our seats I could see three franchise fast food restaurants across the road at Davenport Mall, while our venue shared space with a chicken franchise and a rival brand takes up a neighbouring property. Up and down the street are more restaurants and pubs. We parked at Davenport Centre and walked across the road.
Our waiter was friendly and efficient, quickly taking our orders for lime and soda (R18) and handing us slightly tattered food and cocktails menus.
The breakfast menu includes omelettes and tramezzini, while the full menu includes starters, salads, pastas, pizza pies, pizzas and grills. There is also a kiddies menu.
I like the ambience of old Glenwood houses with their high ceilings, wooden floors and big windows. We were sitting on a big verandah, with a selection of tables and plastic chairs and wooden benches and tables. I also liked the high metal fence that circled the property – it made it difficult for the pushy beggars and car guards. Inside, the restaurant looked quite cosy.
We chose a Greek salad (R45), which proved to be a generous helping, fresh and enjoyable. We also shared a starter of deep-fried calamari heads dusted in tempura spice and served with tartar sauce (R39). Crunchy and enjoyable.
From the pasta menu my wife chose chicken Giardinera (R69): Cajun chicken, mushrooms, Peppadews, sun-dried tomato, roasted peppers, garlic, brinjals and feta tossed in olive oil. Again, the portion was ample. The pleasantly spicy flavour won her approval.
Our waiter said the special was lamb shank calzone (R78) and for an extra R10 I got a plate of chips. These were all right, but I enjoyed what turned out to be pizza pie with lamb shank filling.
The crust was firm, the meat tasty and tender. A good one to remember for winter. With my meal I had a 340ml glass of the Poison craft beer (R28) on offer, and that went down well.
The generous helpings meant we both took home takeaway containers for lunch the next day.
On inquiring about desert, the offerings did not sound that enticing, and we chose to end with cappuccinos. These were good, the flavour strong, the way my wife likes her coffee.
It was a pleasant meal at a friendly and efficient suburban Italian-themed restaurant in a convenient location. We must try their takeaways one of these days.