Danielle Barnes

Review: Lunch by the ocean for two Dine at this quirky, fun, family-friendly eatery It’s always a great thrill to discover a new place in the city you have grown up in, as this proves that things are constantly changing and there is always something new and exciting to discover. So I was thrilled when I heard about a brand-new restaurant in Mouille Point, Lily’s Restaurant, that had opened up only a few months before. How Lily’s came to be Established in April 2017, Lily’s Restaurant is in the perfect setting next to the ocean in Mouille Point. The family-friendly eatery is the newest addition to the Kove Collection. Kove Collection MD Paul Kovensky is the owner, and he loves the personal connection he has to the new restaurant. ‘The menu and décor were designed and inspired by my wife, Simone, and we named the restaurant after our daughter, Lily. It’s a special place with a unique personality, and it appeals to young and old. It’s quirky. It’s fun. And it has soul,’ says Paul. Photo: Danielle Barnes Walking into the restaurant The gorgeous gold tables pair perfectly with the cream chairs and soft pink flowers on the table. The floor-to-ceiling windows are a no-brainer as, given the picturesque location, they offer views of the ocean. The clean lines of the restaurant are brought alive by the contemporary styling of vintage books and quirky statues, and the crisp, Scandi furniture is offset by these playful accents. Photo: courtesy of Lily’s Restaurant There is a separate menu for breakfast and one for lunch and dinner, and the menus themselves add a great sense of fun to the restaurant. One thing that was particularly striking about the menu was the amount of attention and care that has gone into ensuring that people with different dietary requirements are also catered for. A number of dishes are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan-friendly. Kove Collection Group Head Chef Amber Deetlefs and her team have created a unique, modern menu that emphasises health and showcases fresh, locally sourced produce. The menu also has fun with the names of its dishes, putting a smile on any diner’s face. Photo: courtesy of Lily’s Restaurant Knives and forks at the ready Mains: Choosing something proved difficult, as there are so many options. Plus the decision was made even harder by the fact that everything that came from the kitchen looked like a work of art. But as we were so close to the sea, my mother felt it was only right to try the sesame tuna with sticky coconut rice, wasabi aioli, coleslaw and edamame beans. Her dish arrived at the table looking as pretty as a picture, and with wonderful fragrant flavours, and the arrangement of the components added to the grandeur of the dish. The chef gives the option of cooking the tuna either seared, medium or fully cooked. Setup Timeout Error: Setup took longer than 30 seconds to complete. Wanting the best of both worlds, my mom opted for in between and it was the right choice. The softness of the fish was perfectly complemented by the nuttiness of the sesame-seed coating. The sticky coconut rice and coleslaw added a depth of textures and flavours to the dish. As always, a sauce acts as a way of bringing a meal together, and the wasabi aioli did just that (adding a little bit of heat as well). Photo: Danielle Barnes I decided to go for something more land-based with a richer taste, and chose the crispy confit duck leg with peas, mint, gem lettuce and potato purée. Having to send the duck back because it was overcooked was the only downside to this dish. But redemption came the second time around, when the duck was perfectly cooked, with delicious flavours. The fresh and crunchy gem lettuce went very well with the rich duck leg, which was perfectly complemented by the creaminess of the potato purée and the pops of sweetness in the peas. The sauce added a lovely buttery taste. Photo: Danielle Barnes Dessert: Staying on the lighter side of life, my mother went for the playful and fun Berry Ripple Cheesecake Ice Cream & Vanilla Cookies. The ice cream had the perfect combination of zinginess and creaminess, making it an ideal placeholder between the two cookies. The cookies were absolutely delicious and perfectly baked – the besttasting crunchie imaginable Photo: Danielle Barnes Being a lover of the classic combination of chocolate and caramel, there really was no decision when it came to what dessert I wanted – Death by Chocolate. The chocolate tart was rich and all things delicious. It was lifted by the white-chocolate mousse and enhanced by the salted caramel (my favourite part). The dark-chocolate sauce and cocoa crumble added a welcome bitterness to the dish that countered the richness of the chocolate and salted caramel. The caramel popcorn made me feel like a kid again, and the vanilla-pod ice cream was absolutely delicious. Photo: Danielle Barnes To see the full lunch and dinner menu, click here. Everything is better with a smile! Lily’s restaurant is all about enjoying good food with loved ones – and having fun at the same time. This can be seen in the way the staff interact with one another and how happy they are to bring amazing food to the tables of the diners. The management are just as amazing, making sure everyone is happy and satisfied not only with the food but also with the experience of the restaurant as a whole. Photo: Danielle Barnes Thank you, Lily’s Restaurant, for a perfect mom-and-daughter lunch date. We will be coming back soon! COVER PHOTO: Courtesy of Lily’s Restaurant