Wild choice of zebra on the menu at Bay eatery
ITS regular crowd must still have been attempting to overcome their Easter indulgences as the Stanley Street “Strip” in Port Elizabeth’s Richmond Hill was quiet this week when my husband, Salvelio, and I ventured out in search of a succulent steak.
Our chosen spot was just around the corner, in Bain Street, as neither of us had visited Bain Street Grill in a very long time. This laid-back, intimate restaurant was also last reviewed by Weekend Post back when it first opened and, since it has had a change in ownership, a look-see was in order.
I chose a glass of BC shiraz rosé (R24) from Brandvlei Cellars in the Breede River valley to dissolve the stresses of the day, while my man had an ice-cold Castle (R16) that our City Slukker, whose return from London is imminent, would have approved of.
Our waiter, Ruaan van Aswegen, is clearly a multitasker of note as he is also co-manager of the restaurant, along with fiancee Catherine Benjamin, who also runs the kitchen.
My starter of deep-fried
camembert was pleasant, if a little pricey at R38, though the cranberry sauce tasted as if it had come from a jar and would have benefited from being slightly heated.
Salvelio’s four springrolls (R29) with sweet chilli sauce, likewise, tasted bought-in.
My biggest gripe with the starters was that both were liberally sprinkled with dried Italian herbs, too pungent to be used as a garnish and certainly not with an Asian dish, unless Italy has now adopted the springroll.
On to mains, we both fancied something meaty and the zebra steak (R105) got my vote – and an excellent if gamey choice it was though the thought of its not-too-distant relatives, the horse and the donkey, thankfully only occurred to me later.
Hubby’s lamb rump (R100) was also an unusual and worthwhile choice though it was rather more rare than he had asked for. We both relished our sides of delicious hand-cut chips. Salvelio said his additional choice of a veggie skewer did not disappoint, but I found the mayo on my Waldorf salad too acidic and copious. Again, this was store-bought when home-made mayo – quick and easy to whip up – would have made all the difference.
We ended our meal with a rich chocolate brownie (R35) that was moist, dense, super-sweet and best shared because of its whopping size.
Bain Street Grill is on (041) 582-2914. This review visit was unannounced, anonymous and the meal paid for in full.