MEET AND EAT: SPOON EATERY AND PIZZERIA
- O&A Team
- October 7, 2025
- Food
- Restaurants in Assagay, Restaurants in Hillcrest, Spoon, Spoon restaurant, Spoon review
- 0 Comments
Spoon has come a long way since my first visit when I wound my way through the hills of Hillcrest / Assagay to visit the newest eatery with renowned food critic and good friend, Ingrid Shevlin.
The restaurant was serving just pizzas and a very small selection of specials and had been set up by chef Jenna Hayes and her father who had moved his business up the hill from central Durban. The framing business that had once been in Florida Road now occupies one side of the building whilst the remainder has seen Chef Jenna achieve a lifelong dream of running a restaurant amongst the green hills of her home province after having worked in the galleys of yachts crisscrossing the world’s oceans.
What I felt then is what I feel now – this is one of the most beautiful settings to enjoy a good meal accompanied by the restaurants’ three beautiful dogs. Since then, a whole menu has evolved and the pizzas of old (although still good) now make up a very small part of a sophisticated menu that makes this the perfect venue for a good Sunday lunch.
That was exactly what a group of good friends did a few weeks ago, enjoying the beautiful spring gardens that roll down the green hills and even a visit to the on-site art gallery which displays some really beautiful wildlife art and more. The coffee tree that we sat beside was significantly
larger than the original small bush from my first visit and filled with beautiful ripe red berries. The gardens were filled with spring flowers – and ideal vistas to enjoy whilst sipping one of Spoon’s many tantalizing cocktails.
SERVICE AND PRACTICALITIES
The service was friendly and good and the staff was knowledgeable about everything from the cocktails to the menu and happy to provide constructive recommendations.
The biggest challenge was actually finding the place which even managed to baffle google maps. There is plenty of parking, although it is best to get there early and park close to the restaurant as the spill over parking is way below and climbing the hill to the venue can be quite strenuous for the not-so-fit.
Spoon is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and open from 12 noon to 9pm from Wednesday to Saturday and noon to 4pm on Sundays.
ON THE MENU
The menu has been carefully thought out and caters for everyone with everything from a tapas menu to light bites, wraps, toasties, open sandwiches and salads to mains and desserts.
We enjoyed our meal – with one friend starting with chicken jalapeno croquettes – a portion of three tasty treats.
The friends that ordered the rib special on the recommendation of our waitron were not disappointed and said they would recommend this tasty meal far and wide.
My husband ordered the hake that was pan fried in caper butter and accompanied by crushed new potatoes and thyme roasted carrots topped with a red wine jus. Although he enjoyed his meal he admitted that it was not a showstopper.
I ordered the Chicken Milanese which was served on wild mushroom risotto, rocket, parmesan shavings and truffle oil. Whilst the risotto was enjoyable, the chicken was sadly dry and seemed to be a little over cooked.
The prices are a little on the high side but the overall experience is well worth it and certainly would make a wonderful place to celebrate a special occasion. As with so many restaurants, I always feel that a single meal is never a good indication of what is on offer – so, yes, I will be back.
