Inspired by African culture and our country’s national bird, the blue crane, Crane & Feathers strives to provide an unforgettable experience for everyone who comes through their doors. They have created an upmarket and stylish space for relaxed days sipping on cocktails or celebrating a special occasion.
Welcomed by a warm host, we sat in their outdoor seating area to enjoy the beautiful weather. The courteous and knowledgeable Jeff and their team of attentive managers took care of us. They guided us through the expansive menu and suggested the best dishes for us to try. Starting off with drinks and starters, we were treated to traditional favourites and signature dishes and cocktails you won’t find anywhere else.
Taking pride in their mixology, we got to taste a stunning variety of drinks. The Queen, aptly named, is a beautiful cocktail infused with fresh ingredients which makes it refreshing. Made with vanilla chai syrup and aromatic bitters, their Whiskey Sour is nothing short of the best in town. The light whiskey taste blended well with the honey and nutty intensity. For those who don’t drink alcohol, they have a great range of mocktails. The Blue Lemonade – sour, invigorating and very pretty – is a great summertime refreshment.
Starters included their iconic beef tongue, served with truffled cauliflower, onions and a peppercorn sauce. The meat was tender and flavourful, complemented by the rich peppercorn sauce. We also tucked into a fresh seafood cocktail, made with crisp salad leaves, prawns, calamari, mussels and slices of avocado. Their Crane & Feathers twist on the crayfish thermidor was stuffed with prawns, topped with a deliciously creamy sauce and served with egg-fried rice. Just these few dishes opened up a whole new world of culinary fusions!
Onto the main meals, we were blown away by the creativity put into every option. The Beef Short Rib, a blend of tradition and innovation, is served with a mushroom samp risotto, onions and shimeji mushrooms in a beef jus. The fall-off-the-bone meat and out-of-the-box combination of samp in a risotto style made it stand out. From their seafood selection, the signature Spiced Kingklip had us hook, line and sinker! We couldn’t get enough of the chive mash, paired with the perfectly prepared fish. A local favourite, the Oxtail did not disappoint. Made in a red wine jus, plated with that velvety mash and roasted vegetables, the lean meat was well-done but not dried out. From the vegan menu, the Isijingi, a sweet pumpkin main, combined with the accompanying blueberries and chilli oil, was a wonderful experience.
At the end of the night, we shared dessert, too stuffed to attempt our own. The chocolate fondant stole our hearts and made us feel warm and fuzzy inside with its lovely gooey centre. We were thoroughly spoiled with incredible food and warm hospitality at Crane & Feathers, and we can’t wait for our next visit!
Website – www.craneandfeathers.co.za
Address – Shop 004B, Oceans Mall, Lagoon Drive Umhlanga Rocks
Instagram: @craneandfeathers
Words: Cristina Govender