LEMON | BUTTER | SWORDFISH & MORE
Lemon Butta is such a household name, but did you know there is only one branch left? That’s at Willowbridge, and last week Thursday, Daryll de Swart (the new owner of Lemon-Butta Restaurant) invited me to a culinary experience.
He has given the restaurant a make-over, from the door to the floor. He has changed the look and feel, the music, the menus, the food, the glasses and the service. I was blown away when I walked inside. It’s funky, yet stylish and casually sophisticated, with bright complementary hues and comfortable seating, making you want to linger just a little longer.
Daryll presented my friend and I with some bubbly and very delicious cocktails, a tasting sushi platter, and later, a smorgasbord of ocean fare, including swordfish! Before I get to the swordfish, his cocktails are really divine. It was his own creation of the day, and I forget what was in it. I just remember wanting more! The sushi was honestly, quite sensational. We had this crunchy number, which reminds me of a crunch roll, but it’s better, because it’s drizzled with his own home-made unique Japanese creamy dressing. I really don’t know all the names! If you love sushi, trust me on this one. Order the crunchy number!
The platter: Magnifique!!! Everything really DOES taste better with butter – especially when it’s REAL butter. It was a platter he made up especially for us, and every single item melted (like butter) in my mouth and had its own unique flavor. The calamari, mussels, battered hake, sole, prawns, savoury rice and finally, the swordfish. Even the side salad was delightful and very complimentary with the buttery richness of the platter.
Have you ever HAD swordfish? Me neither, but I am now officially a swordfish fan. The flesh is similar to that of steak and it needs to be lightly seared, just like steak, served slightly pink inside. When you slice it with a knife, it feels just like a tender steak, and when you put that fork in your mouth, (if you’re a sensory foody person like me) you will most certainly have to sit back in your seat, put your cutlery down, close your eyes (or roll them back in your head), let it melt in your mouth, and moan with unabandoned pleasure. Yes, that’s right. It’s orgasmic!!
The price? SQ. I have no idea what swordfish costs, but you’re looking at the same region as that of a really good steak. Daryll only sources the best, including Marlin, Oysters and just about any other fish your heart desires. If you tell him a few days in advance you want something special, he will find it for you!
Service WAS fantastic. Daryll had ample staff though, and all his dining patrons seemed to be well looked after.
I absolutely LOVED the restaurant, the decor and his choice of background music. There are many seating areas to choose from, and I would highly recommend this as a place to dine at in a large crowd for a celebration of sorts. You can sit at the undercover patio outside too in your own corner, and order large seafood platters to share, enjoying the ambiance.
It’s definitely the kind of place I would enjoying frequenting, for an impressive business lunch or romantic dinner.
Valentine’s day is around the corner so if you enjoy dining out with your lover, seafood is very sensual and a sharing platter will have you both licking your fingers and begging for more when you get home!
Find Lemon-Butta at Shop 54, the RocoMamas entrance of Willowbridge. To book, call 087 153 2588. They’re open from 11:30am – 10pm.
Menu attached.
Visit: https://www.facebook.com/LemonButtaWillowBridge/
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