Zola Nene

Food
Breakfast is served all day at Manna, which is great news because their coconut bread is exactly what breakfast dreams are made of. It comes served with eggs, done to your liking, sliced avocado and smoked salmon. The slightly sweet coconut bread, lathered with salted butter, eaten with an oozy egg is the perfect mouthful - sweet, savoury and salty all at once! There are plenty of other breakfast classics available to choose from, eggs Benedict, homemade waffles, omelettes, muesli, there's something for everyone in the breakfast menu.

For lunch, try one of the generous salads on offer, they really aren't skimpy with the size of the salads here. The roasted cauliflower salad with fennel and crispy fried halloumi is sublime, little nuggets of nutty roasted cauliflower tossed with slices of fennel bulb (I only wish they had sliced them thinner to make eating easier), sliced red onion and warm, oozy and salty fried halloumi all intermingled with fresh, lightly dressed mixed salad leaves is the perfectly balanced salad, they offer the choice to add chicken to it, but it's such a delicious salad by itself, I didn't miss the chicken at all. Choose from a selection of meats or a burger in the braai section of the menu, or perhaps a fish or pasta dish from the main course section. Pair your meal with one of the tempting side dishes- anytime there is a choice of triple-cooked chips on the menu, I'm always going to try them! The chips were enjoyable, but nothing to write home about. Other sides include truffle mash, soft polenta and sautéed spinach with mushrooms and peas.

To satisfy your sweet tooth, there is a selection of cakes available, there's classic crème brûlée, a decadent chocolate lava cup served with salted caramel ice cream, or traditional malva pudding served with vanilla ice cream.

Drinks
Choose from a selection of fruits and vegetables and create your own blend of freshly pressed juice. There is also a selection of trendy superfood lattes on offer, choose from either matcha, red velvet (beetroot and cocoa) or a golden latte made using turmeric. The wine menu is quite extensive, which can make it a little difficult to navigate, but some wines are available by the glass. There is also a cocktail section available that contains both classic cocktails as well as their own specialty cocktails. Try one of the interesting fruity virgin cocktails - the mango and mint combination was very refreshing and not too sweet.

Service
Service is attentive and speedy. The waiters are eager to let you know the specials as well as make recommendations according to your cravings.

Ambience
The stark white restaurant is light and bright, with almost every table having a clear view of the street. I recommend sitting outside, especially if you enjoy people-watching like I do. You could encounter the occasional flower seller walking past. The main inside part of the restaurant has a feature drift-wood type chandelier, while the other side of the dining room has a few bird nest light fixtures above the bar area. Tables are simply laid with a white tablecloth, giving the restaurant a chic minimalist look about it. The white crockery is looking a little tired and shabby, think it's time for a bit of an upgrade on the plates, the once white plates and bowls now have a murky grey outline from extensive use.

And...
Their signature coconut bread is hard to resist and available for sale by the loaf by pre-order.

(2018)

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