Ginger Restaurant Review

Ginger Restaurant - review by Craig Jarvis

We were in Port Elizabeth for the Bell Buoy Challenge and staying at the Beach Hotel. Seeing as it was the first time we had sorted out babysitters since the initial COVID lockdown, we decided to celebrate.

It wasn’t going to be a wild night, as my wife was swimming the following day and I was seconding, so we decided on a meal at Ginger Restaurant at the hotel. After an early glass of wine at the charming Verandah Bar, we headed over to Ginger

As soon as we arrived, I realized that I, for one, was incredibly underdressed in my boardshorts and my Vans slip-ons. The manageress, a wonderful lady from what we could gather behind the mask, took one look at me and told me that I looked fine and offered us our booked table.

AS WE SAT DOWN, THERE WAS A CALL ON THE BOOKING PHONE. THE PERSON PHONING WAS INFORMED THAT THE RESTAURANT WAS FULLY BOOKED FOR THE NIGHT. THERE WEREN’T MANY OPENINGS FOR THE NEXT NIGHT, SATURDAY. IT’S A POPULAR VENUE.

I ordered the salt and pepper baby squid for us to share for starters, and it was divine. I felt drawn to the simplicity of salt and pepper, and it was an excellent choice.

For mains, I chose the fillet a la ginger, and my wife chose the pork belly. The fillet was flame-grilled with an Italian gorgonzola sauce, served with a cherry compote. It was to die for. Tender and delicious, with the tartness of the gorgonzola offset by the sweetness of the cherry.

The pork belly also looked delicious, and my wife was enthused by it. Still, after she tasted the fillet, there was definitely a case of food envy at the table. I tasted the pork belly, and it was pleasing, with a nice wedge of crackling.

The restaurant had such a wonderful, old school vibe to it. Quite a few older people were enjoying the night out, and it seemed everyone except us had dressed for the occasion. The men were in jackets and smart collared shirts, while the women wore pretty dresses with their hair done.

SOME OF THE MORE EXOTIC MEALS WERE PREPPED AND GRILLED ON WHEELED COOKERS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE GUESTS, AND IT WAS ALL QUITE AN OCCASION. DRESSING UP FOR DINNER IS SOMETHING THAT HAS LONG BEEN FORGOTTEN IN OUR CULTURE OF QUICK MEALS, TAKEAWAYS AND FAST FOOD, YET THE EVENING AT GINGER FELT QUITE GRAND.

We all had masks on, or around our necks as we ate, but it felt like many patrons were still saying ‘stuff you’ to COVID and settling down for a nice long evening meal. It was great.

For dessert, my wife chose a Turkish Delight Dom Pedro that was exquisite. I had a taste of it, not able to eat a dessert of my own.

A few whisky sodas and a bottle of Ken Forrester Petit Chenin rounded off our date. It was an awesome evening. The total bill with gratuity came to R930.

*Our staff and journalists pay for all meals, drinks, services and accommodation at The West Wind and do not announce themselves. We do not accept freebies. That way, we can always keep it real.