A trip in late 2020 saw my wife and me in an area that we had never visited before, the Northern coast of KZN…and what a wonderful trip it turned out to be. I have covered the accommodation and activities in previous postings, but I decided to make today’s post about food. Not necessarily what the actual dishes were, but what they represented and the memories that I recall when looking at them. This was our first view of Kosi Forest Lodge that was home for two nights and lots of delicious, well prepared and diverse meals.
If you are at the coast, then fish HAS to be on your plate for at least one meal. Even though the lodge is situated deep in a coastal forest, far away from a quick trip to a supermarket, I was in awe of the diversity of food that was prepared and served to the guests by the resident chefs.
“I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice-cream”! And why not is my response. There is nothing more satisfying than a cold bowl of fresh vanilla ice-cream to end off a meal.
And, of course, there has to be relaxing between meals. Fortuitously, our accommodation was a distance from the dining room so we were “forced” to exercise between meals.
A different take on the humble cottage pie. Perfectly proportioned individual portions for lunch. Happiness was…
My wife and I don’t usually partake in a starter, but when in Rome…or in this case, when in a Lodge, enjoy every course of every meal. This was from a dinner that we enjoyed al fresco.
As far as I am concerned, EVERY meal should include soup. Breakfast, lunch and dinner and in every season. This particular dinner proved my point.
Meat and 2 vegs for dinner. A staple of any lodge, beautifully prepared and served at a Boma dinner under the clear open sky. Memorable for all the right reasons.
And, of course, the ubiquitous ice-cream…
Practising for my upcoming meals at Thonga Beach Lodge…have to do the prep.
Lunch, freshly served fish out on the deck thanks to COVID-19 protocols. All the lodges that we visited on this trip belong to the isibindi Africa Group and the quality and care put into all the meals at each lodge show that attention to detail and consistency is important.
Breakfast, with crispy bacon…just the way I like it. It is often hard for South African chefs/cooks to get the crispness correct. But on this trip they did!
My plate after EVERY meal…
Our final destination before returning to Johannesburg. Only a quick one-night stay due to a family commitment back at home, but a great way to end off a most memorable trip. This was the main lounge at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge.
I have had a high-tea served to me like this, but never seen lunch presented in this fashion. That being said, it was also served this way at Thonga Beach Lodge, so perhaps it is a signature presentation method of the group? I am not complaining, merely commenting.
Another lodge, another starter…
Caught in the spotlight…dinner is served.
And a final breakfast of delicious fluffy scrambled eggs and a couple of strips of crispy bacon. A great send-off as we bid a sad goodbye to this spectacular lodge and the very friendly staff. To paraphrase General Patton…” We shall return”… Or to quote Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy…” Goodbye and thanks for all the fish”!
To visit their website, click on the logo above.
Click on the logo to visit their website
This is a spectacular lodge that offers guests, tired and jaded as a result of 2020 and the pandemic, the opportunity to relax and unwind with all the correct safety procedures in place. Highly recommended.
Find out what the Lodge is currently offering, visit their website for current specials and prices.
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