The Lemon Grass Restaurant

Sitting on the terrace of Lemon Grass Restaurant in Plettenberg Bay, we could have been on a Caribbean island.  Just metres away, the waves broke gently against the rocks and sea birds wheeled overhead.  Smaller birds sometimes came in to settle and drink from ingeniously suspended bottles of water. A voluptuous cherub draped in bunches of grapes, joyously celebrated Bacchus.  Slatted wooden benches and tables under white canvas umbrellas further enhanced the aura of romance and enchantment of a tropical paradise that Eugene and I had visited some years before.

The Lemon Grass Restaurant is part of, but independent from Milkwood Manor, an elegant four star guest lodge.  The entrance to the restaurant  passes beneath a bower of bougainvillea.  The cool interior has tiled floors and two sides that open to the sea and the view.  Again the slatted wooden tables and chairs. ( The chairs have seat cushions.)   Large eye-catching arrangements of cacti and exotic plants combine with a reeded ceiling to create the atmosphere of a tropical sea-side beach restaurant.  A bit Hemingwayesque.

We sipped sparkling wine and gazed at the beauty all around us. The restaurant overlooks Lookout Beach with vast sweeping views of mountains and tidal lagoon wetlands.   Floods washed away a swimming pool and a garden and now the ocean laps the rocks and boulders of the terrace, resulting in one of the most spectacular outlooks in all Plettenberg Bay.  One of nature's brilliant interventions.

The lunch menu is small and consists of delicious light meals. Salads, soups, stir frys and of course desserts which are homemade.   There is a late afternoon menu which is more snacky and ideal to enjoy with sun downers.  Just imagine the grandeur of the sunset from that vantage point.

We ordered the Traditional Lemon Grass Fisherman Chowder, described on the menu as fresh fish slices, calamari, prawn and mussels, served in a light wine sauce.  Our very friendly and knowledgeable waiter, Mark, explained that this was a Lemon Grass stalwart.  Mark, incidentally, looks pretty weathered and rather like a young sea-dog.  He told us that he used to work on deep sea commercial fishing vessels.  His whole profile fitted in with my Hemingway notion of the place.

Delicious warm crusty bread accompanied the chowder.  The bowl was packed with succulent and delicious seafood and the broth was delicate and flavoursome.  We had a wonderful time scooping the mussels out of the shells and crunching the prawns and enjoying all the wonderful bits and pieces.  We dipped our bread in the broth and scooped up every last vestige and declared the dish a triumph.

We booked on the terrace when we visited Lemon Grass the next evening.   What a wonderful sight it is as the sun goes down!  Oil lamps are lit and the trees are garlanded with fairy lights.  Candles flicker on the tables and the whole effect is simply out of this world. 

The evening menu has an international flavour and is sophisticated and varied.  There are fish and seafood dishes which reflect what is fresh and available on the day.  The meat dishes may be accompanied by several sauces and portions of vegetables and salads.  If possible, there is game, either kudu, springbok or ostrich served with the chef's special game garnish and again wonderful homemade desserts.  Karl Heinz and Elton Bouwers are the chefs.   Karl, of German origin, has been associated with Lemon Grass for years.   He is a vastly experienced chef and has been involved in making wonderful food for 40 years. I chose a mixed summer salad as a starter and Eugene ordered Prawn spring rolls.  We both followed with Grilled Kingklip.

The salad was a delight.  Delicious crunchy salad with paw-paw and avocado and a light dressing that perfectly complemented the ingredients.  The prawn spring rolls were served with soy sauce and a sweet chilli sauce. Crisp and delicious.  The fish was cooked to perfection, succulent and moist and accompanied by al dente stir- fried vegetables and potato wedges.  We ate every morsel! 
We sipped bubbly and gazed out over the water.  Lights twinkled in the distance and a full moon added to the enchantment.  We would surely return to this lovely place and recapture the magic.

Lemon Grass is open for lunch everyday except Monday.  They do not take bookings for lunch.  Tables are on a first come first served basis.  Tables on the terrace are always weather-dependent.  They are open for lunch from 12 noon and it is advisable to arrive early.
It is essential to book in the evening. 
Ph:     +27 (0) 44 533 5520 

Eugene and I love eating out and always pay for our meals.