A recent lunchtime visit to the Nutmeg Bistro brought back some fond childhood memories of visits to the majestic and beautiful Howick Falls, situated just a stoneโs throw from this quaint little eatery. The Bistro is one of the many restaurants located close to the popular tourist attraction that is the near 100m falls, and with so much competition; I was reasonably confident that a visit would be well worth the 35km drive from Pietermaritzburg.
Sporting walls adorned with paintings of various descriptions โ the Bistroโs dรฉcor is attractive to say the least and very appropriate for the setting. The restaurant prides itself on providing prompt service to its customers and true to form; I was greeted and seated quicker than you can say โJack Robinsonโ.
The menu is simple and includes a variety of breakfast dishes (served all day), sandwiches (toasted or plain), hamburgers, steaks, fish, lasagne, pies, wraps, quiches, French fries, roasts (served with garden fresh vegetables), soups and salads. For dessert, scrumptious offerings such as apple pie, ice cream, waffles, pancakes and a variety of cakes are on hand to satisfy even the sweetest of palates.
Although advised to try one of the Bistroโs cappuccinos, which I was told were the best in town, I decided to settle for a hot chocolate โ available for a very reasonable R20. After mulling over the menu for some time (understandable given the wide selection on offer), I decided on the Nutmeg Breakfast, which consisted off two eggs (poached or fried), bacon, tomato and two slices of toast.
It was delicious and, at R37, was unquestionably value for money, which Iโm sure, would be the case with pretty much everything else on the menu. A pressing mid-afternoon appointment meant there wasnโt time for dessert, but had I had the time I probably would have sampled some of the delicious looking apple pie.
After settling my bill, I decided to take a quick look around and discovered that as attractive as the indoor restaurant was, it was more than matched by what was available outside. The outdoor seating is delightful with a beautiful old tree providing plenty of shade to keep customers refreshed. In fact, Iโd have probably chosen this option over the indoor one had it not been for the slight drizzle that was filtering down from the clouds above.
I also noticed that a ramp was available for wheel chair access and that some patrons had brought their pets along for company โ something that the restaurant is perfectly at ease with. Parking, too, wasnโt a problem given the ample space available for both buses and cars.
A visit to the Nutmeg Bistro is a must for anyone looking to take a relaxing break from their busy schedule and enjoy a tasty and well-presented meal in beautiful and tranquil surroundings. The pleasant atmosphere and the friendly and helpful staff will ensure that youโll return sooner rather than later.
Howick Links
Address & Contact details
Nutmeg Bistro, Agricultural Hall, Falls View Drive, Howick, KwaZulu Natal.
Tel/Fax: +27 (0)33 330 8373
Cell: +27 (0)76 704 0252 (Sharon) or +27 (0)83 467 8140 (Pippa)
