House for diverse tastes
HERE’S a new house on the block, and it is as bold as it is blue. On Stamford Hill, Durban, between buildings and shops in dull greys and browns, House 75 stands out with its outside deck and flashing big screen.
A courtyard with benches leads to a jazzy bar interior, the sound of a saxophone serenading diners as they eat, drink or celebrate the next goal with a beer. There’s also a burger bar with a takeaway window and a cocktail bar waiting to seduce you.
So far, it’s great but not unusual or innovative… until you see the rest of it, that is. Kumseela Naidoo, together with her husband Koobeshan (you might have seen him in The Kandasamys) and other members of The Dingalings, are the owners of the new franchise, and she meets me on a jazzy Sunday night to give me a little tour and explain the concept.
“So basically,” she begins, leading me further into the house, “instead of having just one type of area to eat, we have different rooms, on different floors, each with a different theme.”
There’s a cosmopolitan cocktail bar, two diner-like sports rooms, an Asian inspired sit-on-the-floor style lounge and something she calls The London room. The decor is bright and quirky, giant artworks adorn the walls and ornate curtains are proudly drawn open. “I don’t really like the curtains” says Kumseela with a laugh, “but we are still fine-tuning things and hoping to add a sun deck soon.
“The idea behind this is to offer privacy and control. Each room has its own air-conditioner, TV, speakers and will have its own waiter specifically for you. Everything is up to you. You can watch a game, or bring your own music. You can perform karaoke in a private room away from curious strangers or you could tune in to the live music downstairs.”
Rooms can be tailored for different kinds of parties, from work lunches to baby showers, to sports nights. You can book one room or all the rooms. On a busy night, the place is filled with a buzz and you can walk around and see what’s happening everywhere else. Join the party at the bar, or watch a game. Or watch a different game in a different room!”
There’s a dance floor in the main bar, and the game of the day is usually shown on the big screen in the courtyard, if the weather is good.
“We try to have live music every week, are arranging for a book club to run from here, and on some nights, there’s live comedy.”
After the tour, Kumseela offers me a treat; a sample of the food and drinks. “Everything we do is made from scratch. From our chips to our burger patties. We have vegetarian options and offer starters and main meals”
I am given a sample of a chicken alfredo pasta, leg of lamb in sticky, tangy sauce, prawn fijitas stuffed jalepenos and crispy calamari rings. I try the house cocktail, a bright blue vodka and lemonade concoction that matches the House’s colours.
In between snacks and samples, I get a taste of what it’s like on a typical Sunday night. It’s a little surreal sitting outside a house having bright blue cocktails right on Stamford Hill, but there’s also a relaxed, easy atmosphere.
Kumseela and I chat about trips to India and stand-up comedy in Mumbai, as men slowly gather around to watch the match. There are loud cheers and groans, random greetings from passers-by. Old classics sung by the house singer add to the ambience and something about it reminds me of almost being at a relative’s house, where everyone just gathers round for a braai and a catch up.
“It’s just an idea that combines entertainment with dining, in a way that gives you more options. We’re taking a chance and trying something different”.
Find out more on Facebook, or visit the House for yourself on 75 Stamford Hill.