Always on the lookout for authentic Durban flavours, I recently discovered a quaint take-away/restaurant proclaiming its menu as having the “flava” from the tropical seaside city. I had to try it.
The first test for any reputable Indian eatery is the quality of the samoosa. My favorite has always been the lamb mince samosa and it is tricky to perfect. Some establishments consider adding soya to enhance the flavor (which does not work) while others simply fail to achieve the right balance between the meat and onion-spice-herb mixture.
Lamb is also one of the more fatty meats and if the filling for the samoosa does not have the fat cooked out, it can become messy to eat. The lamb mince samoosa from “The SpiceBoys” on the Diagonal Street side of Gardees Arcade did not disappoint. The samoosas were as meaty as they were spicy and the balance between the two was just delicious. They do cost a little more than your average samoosa, but then again, “The SpiceBoys” samoosas are extraordinary.
As with all of the take-aways, having a similar set-up as “The SpiceBoys”, there is the traditional Friday Lamb Breyani Special. This too, I consider an indication of authenticity as it is difficult to prepare all of the complex flavors that are required to make this wholesome rice and meat dish.
I had my Breyani as a take-away and ate it off the premises, it was Friday and the small seating area was full. I am glad I did this as I got to experience the flavors with each bite of my meal while the breyani transported me back to a seashore, paper-plates and all.
Needless to add, the lamb breyani was delicious and I regretted opting for the medium portion. If there is any improvement to be made, it will be with the dhal accompaniment which, while it burst with every “flava” of a pukka Durban dhal, was still a little too whole for my preference.
The everyday menu at “The SpiceBoys” has your run-of-the-mill lunch rolls and sandwiches, all of which have the “flava” that is promised. I have yet to try out the curries and bunny chows, but judging from the samoosa and breyani, I am certain there will not be disappointment.
- Amraj Dursan
