When you walk into 1860, you know they support South Africa as you spot South African flags, Springbok scarves and African art all around Р and the varied menu bursts with South African favourites with an Indian twist.
Run by a South African family, headed by Rivaaj, who makes you feel comfortable and most welcome through his true South African warm hospitality, their friendly and attentive service is sure to make you return to this ‘home’!
The main reason for visiting this hidden gem was the ‘Bunny Chow’ on their menu which is definitely a well known favourite for any South African Р and 1860 is the first restaurant to introduce this South African dish to the UK. We enjoyed some poppadoms and fruit chutney while we browsed the menu and opted for potato samoosas and lamb chops as a starter!
What a lovely taste I experienced when the crackling of the samoosas mixed with the smooth creamy potato inside and the spicy lamb offered a true SA flavour complimented with creamy mashed potato.
It was now time to try out the popular ‘Bunny Chow’ which is a slang term for this SA specialty consisting of a hollowed out loaf of bread filled with curry. 1860 serve this dish with fresh bread filled with chicken and potato mix with a spicy curry – the perfect Bunny Chow! However, if you do not feel too adventurous, rather opt for the medium or mild curry.
Bunny chows are strictly a messy fingers affair and locals find the use of utensils quite amusing, however we have been told that the Brits both enjoy and have mastered the use of utensils while eating the Bunny Chow!
1860 offers a variety of wines and beverages to enjoy with your dish (even Klippies and Coke), but certainly the best is a Springbokkie to wash down the hot curry hey! You are able to ‘kuier’ with the owners like you were old friends, over a couple of Savannas and Windhoek Lagers, enjoying being with fellow countrymen and speaking ‘the taal’. It is an absolutely amazing atmosphere that is not often available in all restaurants, and I thank 1860 for this! And all food favourites are at extremely affordable prices, from vegetable curries to seafood korma, and leaving the very best for last – the Peppermint Crisp Tart! So when you leave 1860 and miss this ‘home’, you can soon return as you will not be out of pocket by this great experience!