South Africa: Come for the food; stay for the wine!

Gastronomical Greetings Everyone,

 

This is just a short post to let you know the biggest and most pleasant surprise that I have encountered in South Africa so far has been the cost and quality of the food and wine.  The quality is top notch.  Overall, this is the best food and wine I have had on this trip.  Peru had some pretty awesome seafood, and Chile and Argentina had some good wine.  But when you combine South African quality with price, then I have not been to a place on this earth that is any better.  You can get glasses of wine that would cost you $8-$15 for $2.50.  You can get bottles that would cost you in the States $20-$100 for $8-$30.  We have had wine every meal we have had- both at lunch and dinner. 

 

The food is as equally delicious and cheap.  I have never had as much seafood in my life as I have had the last week.  Nearly every meal I have had for lunch or dinner has been high quality and generous portions of seafood.  I have had some chicken and a veggie burger which have been equally as satisfying.  Some of the examples of meals I have had for between $5-$10 have been:

 

5 King prawns in lemon butter sauce with mashed potatoes and appropriate garnishes...

A huge filet of Yellow Tail Tuna (grilled) with mixed vegetables...

A huge Kingclip filet with two Queen Prawns with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables...

Prawn and Chorizo Jambalaya with rice and corn-on-the-cob...

Tiger Prawn and Avocado Salad....

 

And I am a little bit drunk and can't remember the rest.  There were at least another three or four dishes...

 

Here is a pic of the seaside lunch Ozell and I had in Simon's Town.   He had the Swordfish, and I had the Kingclip with two Queen Prawns and Peri-Peri Sauce....  again, for under $14 with wine.  And this is just typical.  I did not take a picture of this meal because it was special.  Rather, I realized that the consistency and cheapness of our meals was becoming ridiculous and deserved visual recordation...

 

Father, Mother, Molly, Michael, and Megan... if you like seafood, then you need to come to South Africa.  You can eat the best, or close to it, for as much as a McDonald's combo meal would cost you at home.

 

Oh and the wine!....  Have a glass with every meal.  It thins the blood and lifts the spirits.  I am almost ready to say that a chilled Chenin/Sauvignon Blanc/Voignier is as good as an afternoon joint.  Well, maybe two glasses.   Hahahaha 

 

Cheers,

 

Sean