You know those days – we all have them. When the universe has lifted you fifty feet above ground in a whirlwind that would make Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz absolutely *@%# herself. So, when the going gets tough – the girls do lunch.
I did just this – rallied around and found myself a little patch of heaven. Green with Envy is the quintessential ladies lunch location hidden away on Durban’s Berea. Nibbling happily away at my delicious salad, with Durban’s beautiful harbour laid before me in the distance, basking in the cool shade of their many old and gracious trees… this alone, went a loooong way to calming my frayed and fragile nerves.
Just check out the gorgeous gallery of pictures.
It’s not just a trendy little oasis at which one can enjoy gourmet breakfasts and lunches – retail therapy is close at hand too. The Green With Envy nursery and ever so elegant gift shop are bursting with beautiful gifts, gardening accessories, crispy luscious green herbs, plants, veggie and flower seedlings – the list goes on and on.
The Green with Envy menu is not one of those 5kg tomes – it’s an elegant one page affair. Breakfast is served between 08.00am and 11.00am. The egg white omelette filled with smoked trout, dill and crème fraiche is a must-try.
The lunch menu is wonderful with something tasty and appealing for everyone. I thoroughly loved the roast butternut, beetroot, avocado and chicken salad topped with feta and roasted pumpkin seeds – “sublime heaven” sums that up. The rare fillet, rocket, caramelised onions and wasabi mayo ciabatta – ticks all the boxes too, and I can tell you that it was enough to satisfy my Italian husbands’ rather voracious lunchtime appetite on a previous occasion – he gave it his whole hearted Godfather-esque nod of approval.
Comfort food
And my all-time favourite comfort food… sweet potato cake – spicy and warm, dribbled with icing and topped with a gentle dusting of icing sugar .
Olivia, the bright eyed and bushy tailed chef is a total delight. She and Priscilla Indrio (the owner) have combined their skills to create what can only be described as a “retreat” in the middle of Durban’s busy Berea. A beautiful function venue has also just been completed on the premises.
Green with Envy is the kind restaurant that becomes a favourite. Young mums can gather – swap child rearing stories, enjoy an ice cold glass of wine with a delicious lunch while the kiddies have fun playing on the jungle gym in the garden, sista’s can gather to support one another in their times of need or lovers could share some sexy chocolate cake. All in all, a fab spot I say.
Green with Envy was reviewed by Janice Tripepi. Check out her INSANELY good food blog here.