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Leaving the Garden Route is never easy seeing how absolutely enchanting it is. My consolation is usually to stop over at a scenic spot for lunch on the way home to Port Elizabeth. Bramon in the Crags is always fun, but on our last visit to Knysna we felt like giving Zinzi a crack before lazily heading back to the Bay. Zinzi means “abundance” in Swahili and one does have a sense of the abundant when visiting this gem just off the N2 between Knysna and Plett. Decor is understated African, and the food is contemporary and elegant without trying too hard.

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Open for lunch

We were happy to find Zinzi open for lunch on a Monday, when so many other restaurants in the area are shut. It was a beautiful summer’s day so we sprawled ourselves on the veranda, from which we could leisurely survey the lakeside garden while also trying out a very inviting hammock.

Hot menu

Starters are pricey, so we decided to skip them; my choice for mains was the pea risotto with feta, candied macadamias and Parmesan. It came sans Parmesan, but the waitress was quick to rectify this when I raised it, and I did appreciate the scattering of pine nuts. It was a simple but satisfying dish.

The beef burger had a hit of cumin and came with halloumi, aubergine, sun-dried tomato and other tempting bits that made it a more substantial dish. We loved the rustic plates contrasted by gleaming glass- and tableware. The baked ginger cheesecake with fig ice cream was an enjoyable ending. Overall I think we’ll pay Zinzi a visit for dinner when we are in the area again.

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See it for yourself:

Zinzi Restaurant

044 532 8226

 

 

Words: Louise Liebenberg
Images: Salvelio Meyer

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