Decorated in warm earthy tones with African wooden masks, we were welcomed by friendly staff wearing colourful African-inspired tunics. As we sipped our Castle and Savanna, the African music playing in the background, Annamarie, Jabula’s owner, told us they’d prepared a taster menu of their most loved dishes. Having lived in the UK for 13 years, Annamarie has put her soul and energy into Jabula, overseeing everything and providing real home-cooked SA food! Friday night is the livelier, as they have north African drummers whereas Saturdays are a more relaxed atmosphere for couples or the whole family. Birthdays are celebrated with dimmed lights as the staff sing happy birthday in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.
The starters, ranging from £2.95 for soup of the day to £5.95 for crocodile, were colourful and beautifully presented! Our selection was the frikkadel with tomato and onion gravy served in a basket of tortilla; cheesy portobello mushrooms with garlic and parsley; crocodile bites served on crusty garlic bread with cranberries and roasted goat’s cheese in puff pastry. The firm favourites were the frikkadel and cheesy mushrooms.
Mains were amazing, with large portion sizes, definitely not for the faint-hearted! Ranging from £8.95 for Durban curry to £14.95 for springbok, we got to sample five incredible dishes:
• Durban chicken curry, a mild curry with vegetables
• Cape Bobotie, a sweet mince casserole spiced with cinnamon and raisins
• Pap and wors, oh so tasty
• Kudu, ostrich and springbok platter with honey mustard cous cous, feta and roasted vegetables. The kudu was tender and melt-in-themouth! And game meat is very low fat and a great healthy option.
• Pot Luck Potjie, the lamb was cooked to perfection and full of flavour, served with carrots, potato, coriander and rice in a mini potjie pot
By this time our stomachs were very full, and even though there are no desserts on the menu (they change daily), a platter arrived with milktart, baked toffee cheesecake, peppermint crisp tart and a rich white chocolate tart. Presentation was delightful, the plate scattered with red and white grapes, naartjie segments and strawberries and cream! Let’s just say there wasn’t anything left!
I was then challenged to drink a Springbok shot with my hands behind my back, without spilling! If I failed, I would have to do a bush tucka trial! The moment was intense, the restaurant went quiet, the drums were beaten and I was feeling the pressure! My fiancé was delighted as I failed the challenge and three small, upside-down dishes were placed in front of me. He chose one by lifting a lid to present me with a crispy cricket! It didn’t go down well, but I did it!
We had the most wonderful evening and it left us feeling inspired for our wedding in South Africa in early April! The service was amazing from start to finish and the food was not only super tasty, but a feast for the eyes, soul and spirit. As we drove home I could feel my eyes getting heavy… ‘maagies vol, oogies toe’!