Avani Hotel and Casino’s The Dunes Restaurant rests in the corner of the first floor. With a magnificent view of Independence Avenue and an array of food, it’s no wonder the venue is a hotspot for tourists and locals alike who simply want to enjoy a delicious buffet while listening to the soothing sounds of the band hired for the day. A colleague and I book for two days: Friday’s dinner and Sunday’s lunch.
Although I have a habit of nitpicking food, the dinner buffet gives me a great selection of home-cooked meals including rice paired with spicy tripe, carrots dipped in pineapple sauce, sautéed veggies and potato bake which I guarantee is creamy to the tongue. I also opt for oxtail dripping in sauce and it’s cooked just the way I like it.
The combination of food turned into something sweet, spicy and savoury and the dish was nothing but pleasant. I may have chosen a glass of shiraz on the side for the sake of tickling my tastebuds, but a glass of white wine would have worked just as well. For fish lovers, a sushi table is available, giving you the opportunity to play around with the ingredients before the chef daintily prepares your meal in front of you. You can also snap up some hake and other fresh seafood such as oysters if you’re missing a taste of the coast.
Feeling quite adventurous, my colleague opts for glass noodles and stir fry mixed with strips of beef – something I would like to try, but leave for Sunday’s lunch. Anyone who loves sweet things would enjoy the selection of cakes – malva pudding, tarts and treats for the taking. You can use sprinkles to spruce up your dessert, or simply top it off with Kit Kat-flavoured ice-cream for that extra kick.
When Sunday comes around, I’m ready to dig into the chicken stir fry with an additional mushroom sauce and I must say, it’s from the heavens. The same can be said for my colleague’s meal, which she happily munches on, and because the aim is to taste – she delightfully offers me a bite from her plate. Let’s be real, who says no to food? This time, my dessert consists of a red velvet cake with vanilla icing and strawberry jam and ice-cream on the side. The fulfilling meal is everything we could have wanted and more.
It’s always a good feeling when you’re pretending to be a tourist in your own country and that’s the kind of environment the Dunes Restaurant provides – a cultural hub for people who simply want to relax and have a good time. We’re lucky enough to chat to the guitarist from South Africa whose voice is smoother than silk and the conversation is lovely. Giving the impression of a jazz lounge, the restaurant is definitely the place to go if you’re looking to live it up in the city.
