Nicola Ashe

Fresh seafood done well is strangely difficult to find in Durban and Jack Salmon has solidified its reputation by consistently delivering in this regard, as well as regularly adding innovative items to the menu. Now with 4 branches across Durban, it’s great to see that these are all run and managed by the owner and they haven’t caved to the franchise giants.

Food
With a menu purely inspired by the sea and a promise that their catches are the freshest in town, this is heaven for seafood lovers. Along with the usual suspects on a seafood menu, expect some great surprises, including various iterations of poke bowls (pronounced poh-kay), which feature a deconstructed combination of fresh salmon, tuna or prawns, accompanied with your choice of sticky rice, pickled ginger, veg slivers, sesame seeds and kewpie mayo.

A newly-introduced Greek seafood meze menu boasts an array of small plates filled with a choice of flame-grilled prawns, grilled artichokes, pickled octopus, freshly shucked oysters and mussels, calamari saganaki or fish keftedes, all best savoured over a long, relaxing afternoon or evening, while the place buzzes with activity.

More familiar dishes, as well as sushi, are hugely popular with flame-grilled calamari and chorizo a deliciously salty place to start, offset with roasted cherry tomatoes and peri-peri sauce. A light salmon carpaccio sets the tone for a beautiful meal, simply drizzled with soy sauce and dotted with caviar jewels, celebrating its buttery flavour.

Linefish could be dorado and comes grilled in lemon butter, or cajun spices served simply with chips and a side salad. If you’re up for it, go for one of the seafood platters, which range in size and price to cater just for you or the whole table and include a variety of prawns, crayfish, calamari, mussels and fish, served with chips, veg or salad.

Desserts include classic favourites like ice cream and hot chocolate sauce, as well as a heavenly vanilla ice cream affogato, served with an espresso and a shot of Amaretto. The decadent crème brulee or Death by Brownie are extremely moreish too.

Drinks
Good selection of wine and bubbles and they’ve introduced a special gin cocktails menu.

Ambiance
Whitewashed walls and nautical accents feature in this elegant open plan space, with a view across to the Indian Ocean over the treetops alongside the M4. This is a vibey restaurant filled with regulars of all ages.

Service
Welcoming and friendly.

Best for...
A long, relaxing meal with friends or family, featuring delicious seafood made really well.

(2018)

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