Sunsets & Mermaids was created as a place where dreams and folklore come to life. Biaggo Pellicia and Chef Brendon Newport have poured new life, magic and love into this restaurant, and it has quickly become a local favourite in Umhlanga Village.
The name denotes the unique vision of the restaurant. It is something that paints a mental picture for customers of the spot, which is a new brand making an entry into the competitive field in the Umhlanga Village. The look and feel of the branding also had to be relatable to the Durban market and talk to the origins of surfing and the casual vibe of the beach.
Sunsets & Mermaids is a metaphor for culture and references the tempo of the restaurant hours, from early morning (for breakfast) to late in the evening (for sundowners and dinner) – times when the mythical mermaids were reported to ‘come out’ of the sea!
We all know that mermaids are a figment of our imagination, but at Sunsets & Mermaids, they aim to make dreams a reality for diners. The elements of the menu are fantastic and key to the heartbeat of the business. Having a chef as talented as Brendon allows them to introduce new ingredients and dishes and test the market to create a niche and unique menu. The new, Italian-inspired additions to the menu were contributed by Biaggo. They are based on his experiences of living in Italy, especially in the small, picturesque coastal towns.
The focus is on seafood, another reference to the name, location and decor. The blue floor represents water, and there are other little elements that seem ‘ordinary’ on the surface, but all have their own special story. To reinforce the name, the decor is a retro 70s/80s Miami/ Durban vibe with a Caribbean beach bar look and feel, which is where the famous Tiki Bar comes in!
Looking at the location, Biaggo saw unlimited opportunity and potential. Along with a great team, led by Chef Brendon Newport in the kitchen, he bought into the vision of creating a restaurant legacy that would provide long-lasting memories for diners. “It was going to be a challenge for a number of reasons,” Biaggo explains. “But when you put everything on the line, you just have added motivation and drive.”
So, let’s look at the men behind the brand. Biaggo went to Kearsney College and, after school, he thought of running Amici Café at La Lucia Mall alongside his father, who taught him everything he knows when it comes to being a restaurateur. While he was home on holiday in 2020, his father unexpectedly passed from COVID, which marked the next phase of Biaggo’s restaurant career. “My favourite thing about Sunsets & Mermaids and being in the Village is that we have a unique space with fantastic food and diners who want to share that with us,” he expresses fondly.
Chef Brendon is one of Durban’s most highly regarded chefs, with almost 30 years in the industry! “Once I started doing my homework, I realised that he was the perfect partner for everything I’d dreamed of and wanted to achieve at Sunsets & Mermaids,” Biaggo shares. He is incredibly talented, with a pure and unrivalled passion for food, and you can see it in every dish served. His favourite thing about working at the restaurant is the range of customers, from all over the country and the world, with different expectations and the challenge of meeting them. He thrives on this and loves coming out of the kitchen and interacting with the diners.
Umhlanga Village is known for being a great area to experience Umhlanga’s nightlife, and Sunsets & Mermaids is the best spot to do it! With their regular events like Mermaids Night every Wednesday, where ladies can get half-price cocktails and 30% off sushi, girls’ night out will never be the same. They also have DJs and live music, when well-known local musicians make surprise, unscheduled appearances at the restaurant to entertain guests.
Visit Sunsets & Mermaids to experience the magic for yourself.
Instagram: @sunsets_mermaids
Website: www.sunmer.co.za
Tel: 031 943 3044
Words: Cristina Govender
Photos: Tayla Jade Photography