Hummus and beef schawarma platter
Image: Frank Chemaly
Where: Florida Fields, 295 Florida Road, Durban
Open: Sunday to Thursday 11am to 10pm, Friday 1.30pm to midnight, Saturday 11am to midnight
Call: 060 322 4155
I first spotted Sham on instagram. After a particularly dull Woolworths microwave meal I was probably scrolling all the foodies I follow for inspiration - and up he popped. Out of the blue.
He was busy crafting a shawarma - a thick smear of hummus, a good dollop of spiced yoghurt, a sprinkling of fresh salad greens, then grilled brinjals, and slices of juicy donner meat and a good lashing of tahini paste and a drizzle of pomegranate molasses. It looked delicious. I almost left the house to go buy one then and there.
Grilled lamb chops
Image: Frank Chemaly
That Saturday evening I visited and the place was packed and pumping. There wasn’t a seat in the house. The lady at the door said they could do a takeaway, but there was a whole flock of people at the entrance waiting for those too. I thanked her and said I would be back.
So this week the Poet and Vivek joined me on a quieter Tuesday.
It’s a comfortable restaurant. Inside is lounge seating in an array of colours and low tables. Outside on the verandah it’s normal table seating. The staff are friendly, the service is quick. And even on a Tuesday it’s hardly quiet. We sat on the verandah looking over the goings on in Florida Fields below. The Poet and I are soon enjoying our virgin mojitos, more a lemon and mint slush puppy than cocktail, but delicious.
Our waiter tells us that the venue is owned by two Jordanian families, that it's strictly halaal and properly certified.
Sheesh kebabs and salads.
Image: Frank Chemaly
The menu is simple: a range of shawarma warps or pitas with chicken or beef donner or cubes, falafel, and sheesh kebab. There are also shawarma platters with the same options and a few grill options which include chicken and beef skewers, chicken or lamb chops and a T-bone steak. There’s platters for one, two or four and loads of sides.
I enjoyed my lamb chops (R170) cooked in a good tangy basting sauce along with chips, salads and an array of sauces. The baba ganoush and tzatziki were both good. A warning though, that hot sauce is hot. Vivek enjoyed his hummus and shawarma platter (R190) with good warm pita rounds. We ordered more to mop it all up. And the Poet’s sheesh kebabs (R150) were good. I fact I’m finishing one as I type this. We also shared a fattoush salad (R60) - a simple salad topped with fried bread and drizzled with more pomegranate molasses.
Fattoush salad
Image: Frank Chemaly
Desserts include a selection of cakes, a tiramisu and Sham’s Sebastian cheesecake (R70). I had to try this and it was soon passed round the table. Even the such a staunch non-dessert person as Vivek had to try it - and approved.
It was a fun evening. Next time I’ll try their falafels.
Food: 3 ½
Service: 3 ½
Ambience: 3
The Bill: R750 for 3
