Easter Feast

Picture this. The day was rainy and overcast, hardly what you would expect from an Easter weekend in Plett. The house seemed pale and quiet and, although Easter eggs and wishes were exchanged, the day didn’t seem to have a very festive feel.

Luckily, we had booked our Easter lunch at the Island Diner in the Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort. The restaurant has become known for their sumptuous seafood and grill house platters and we thought it would be a fun, family way to celebrate Easter.

Walking into the lobby of the hotel out of the dreary day, we were greeted with warmth and laughter, children skipping amongst the tables of diners enjoying a brunch in the cosy lobby. It might be cold outside, but it was warm in here!

We were welcomed and shown to our table in the Indigo Bay restaurant, which had already started to hum with eager lunchtime guests. Despite the weather conditions, the views of the Bay and Robberg were as magnificent as ever.

We had booked the Easter Platter for Two and my mouth waters just remembering it: The seafood was superb: creamy garlic mussels and crispy fried calamari. Tender and flavoursome prawns ready to be dipped and enjoyed. Flaky fresh line fish – grilled to perfection and, my absolute favourite, juicy Frango rump Espetada all complimented by a crisp green salad and fresh bread. In honour of the usual Easter chocolate overload, the dessert served was banofee meringues – absolutely delicious

The highlight of the day was he Easter egg hunt, arranged by the restaurant and held on the main lawn of the hotel. Children were running around helter skelter around the grounds, scrounging for their sweet treasures. Watching this enthusiastic hunt got me thinking about the origins of Easter eggs and Easter bunnies. So I did some research and, while the truth seems to be quite sketchy, I did find this lovely fable that I thought I would share:

“One winter day the goddess, Eostre was passing through a forest and found a bird dying in snow from hunger and cold. The goddess turned the bird into a hare (rabbit) because they have a warm fur and can find food more easily than any bird. And so our bunny survived the winter and when the spring came the animal started laying eggs because it was once a bird. The rabbit then decorated every egg leaving it to Eostre as a sign of gratitude.”

All in all, it was a wonderful, busy day filled with the Island Diner staples of laughter, good value, wonderful food and magnificent views!


To book a family dinner or special function. Contact the Island Diner on (+2744) 533 3545 or functions@islanddiner.co.za


www.islanddiner.co.za 

Suite Dining with Island Diner

Starched white linen, shining glasses and covered dishes bring to mind a time past when butlers served drinks in hotel suites and meals and cocktails were brought to the guest’s room for private enjoyment.

For me, the words Suite Dining conjure up the scene in Pretty Woman where champagne and strawberries are served in the hotel room overlooking the Los Angeles skyline. Stylish room service lends a sense of luxury and personal attention that seems to be missing in many modern day conveniences. 

Well, the Island Diner has decided to bring back this sense of privacy and opulence with the return of Suite Dining. At the Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort, and in the comfort of your hotel room, the Island Diner will now serve dinners, canapés, breakfasts and more for a private meal for two or a celebratory group of up to 15 people.

Imagine sampling a sumptuous seafood platter and chilled wine in the privacy of your own suite, whilst overlooking the beautiful bay and mountains. Dinner and sundowners doesn’t get better than that! Suite Dining can be set up for the ideal romantic gesture for a wedding proposal or celebration. The Beacon Island is known as one of South Africa’s romantic retreats of choice – now taking “room service” to the next level.

This exclusive service is not confined only to hotel guests but can be arranged at any venue of your choice. Suite Dining is an ideal solution for office parties or special functions, focussing on smaller groups from 2 – 15 people. Thus ensuring the continued quality, service and delicious food you have come to expect from the Island Diner restaurants, all served at the venue of your choice.

All of this to bring back a bit of old-school charm and service to any dining experience, function, celebration or intimate occasion. 

For more information, contact the Island Diner at the Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort on (+27)44 533 35 45 or email functions@islanddiner.co.za

www.islanddiner.co.za