chicken breast topped with greens and parmesan slivers
PARC
394 Esther Roberts Road
Glenwood, Durban
Call 031 205 7285.
Open Tuesdays to Fridays from 7.30pm to 4pm; Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 8am to 2pm. Closed Mondays.
INTRO
The Sunday lunches of my childhood was more roast chicken than beef and Yorkshire pudding but were always happy gatherings of family and friends. Pity today the tradition is largely lost. But with most women working how many want to spend their Sundays slaving over the proverbial hot stove? Not many.
But here’s an idea. Why not make your own tradition by taking your family to a restaurant for Sunday lunch. The right restaurant.
Although I don’t know of any eateries offering traditional Sunday roasts, you can choose a restaurant where you feel like family, can recreate the tradition – and enjoy the food. Like Parc in Glenwood, which is run by Brett and his sister Lara who do treat their customers like family. It was a chilly Sunday that Meleney and I lunched at Parc. Too chilly for most to sit outdoors, which meant the inside area was packed. It was nice to see that some diners were young couples with small children. The atmosphere was warm and the chatter happy. A duo playing jazz added to the mellow vibe.
THE LOOK
Parc is a very popular cafe in Glenwood which serves Mediterranean-style food. It’s contemporary and stylish in design. There is a bar area which serves coffees, craft beers, smoothies and other drinks. Tables on the pavement offer al fresco eating and access to the warm afternoon sun. The vibe is always welcoming. Kitchen is open to view by diners.
TO THE FOOD
The menu is chalked up on boards and changes regularly. It’s breakfasts, salads, soups, open sandwiches and light main meals. Ingredients are sourced locally and focus is on fresh and organic if available. Portions are generous and prices reasonable.
Brett is incredibly imaginative when it comes to combining flavours and ingredients. Sometimes I think there is a tad too much going on in the dishes, but it all seems to work. Mostly. But better to be daring than play safe.
Breakfasts are very original and enticing. Options include: muesli with fresh fruit, honey and seeds; banana bread French toast with coconut custard, pineapple and chocolate soil (relax, it’s ground chocolate and nuts); Parmesan polenta with poached eggs, sautéed mushrooms, spinach and tomato concasse; and corn zucchini cakes with tomato and vanilla relish and olives, topped with poached eggs.
Light luncheon options include pork rilettes served with dried fruit and vanilla preserve, pickles and artisanal bread; creamed butternut and spinach phyllo pie; and red pepper and tomato soup.
The ploughman lunch, served to the diner at the next table, looked magnificent. For R115 you get a wooden board heaped with charcuterie, cheeses, homemade pickles, preserves, fruit, olives and artisanal bread. Yum.
I opted for a grilled chicken breast served on a potato rosemary bread which had been spread with olive tapenade and then pilled high with greens, basil pesto and Parmesan slivers, R80. A safe option but very enjoyable.
Meleney ordered the devilled chicken livers served with cheese, poached eggs, rocket and artisanal bread, R80. Delicious with very intense flavours. A winner.
We ended by sharing a blitz torte; a meringue desert topped with vanilla cream and homemade lemon curd, R35, which was ambrosial.
SERVICE
Always good and staff friendly and accommodating.
SUMMING UP
If you live Durban North way, Parc is well worth crossing the Umgeni for. There’s live music on Saturdays and Sundays from 11m.
LOO REVIEW
One unisex toilet which is always kept clean. It’s large too. You can swing a cat in it.
Devilled chicken livers topped with poached eggs