Not quite paradise …

One of the better restaurant options in Hermanus is Paradiso, which has alfresco seats on the piazza and a cosy, Italian-themed interior. The service is good, even on quiet days, and my waiter was happy to offer menu ideas from which I started with good calamari rings that had a spicy sauce and was served with salad leaves and cucumber. The catholic menu lists pasta, pizza, meats, seafoods and more. I tried a pizza (all were also on special at R60 for any pizza combination) and although it had a thin base, there was a generous amount of flavour and the prawns were crunchy. It was not great to see the trinity of yellow and oxidised garlic, dry and powdery Parmesan and violent chilli in place on the table though — why so many South African restaurants serve garlic so old and Parmesan so flavourless is a real frustration. Of the other options, I have been impressed in the past with the hearty, slow-cooked meats from the specials board, while the pastas are built for lovers of softer noodles. 83 Marine Drive, Hermanus, (028) 312-1313