Food

Vasco’s Durban, A Tasty Delight

Published

8 years ago

30 May 2017

Durbanite

Recently I had the privilege of attending a dinner at Vasco’s – a new restaurant which has recently opened its doors to Durbanites and visitors to Durban alike.

Vasco’s (named for Vasco da Gama, who introduced us to the spices of the East) is located at the Hilton Hotel, Durban. It has replaced the old Hilton Hotel restaurant, the Rainbow Terrace, yet is not just any ‘hotel restaurant’ – it is seen as it’s own entity, a stand alone restaurant where hotel guests and outside guests mingle alike.

The decor is very contemporary-chic, with a large focus on local in the design. You can see that they’ve used both African and Indian styles in their decor with the gorgeous colours used, and the mountain range inspired wall art.

The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful, and we had a nice long chat with both the executive chef, Cleo Govender and the Hilton’s food and beverage manager Cameron Townend.

Vasco’s is also one of the only restaurants to have an electric Tandoori oven, and this provides authentic food as well as an entertainment value, as you can watch food being cooked in the oven while perusing the rest of the buffet foods available.

One can find delicious breakfasts and dinners at Vasco’s, both buffet and a la carte, and they do occasionally open for lunch. They have two ‘themed’ evenings – Off The Hook, a seafood buffet on a Friday evening at R350pp, and Flavours Of The East, a curry buffet on a Saturday evening at R275pp. The regular buffet cost is R310pp and the buffet is open from 6:30pm-10:30pm. They can also host functions on their terrace, which has a gorgeous view and a very Sandton-esque feel to it.

Although we were going to eat buffet-style (my favourite – you can take exactly what you like, or just try and taste everything! Note – I could honestly not fit everything in, and I’m going to have to go back to taste the rest… yum), we did have a quick look at the a la carte menu, and the meals looked amazing. Chef Cleo’s South African Eggs Benedict (regular eggs benedict, with added sauteed spinach, chakalaka and boerewors make this sound delightful) and the Murgh Makhani Pizza (pulled Butter Chicken, mozzarella, coriander and crispy onion on a pizza – um… yes please!) both shouted out to me. I might have to go back for that pizza alone! They also have an impressive wine list, with a nice variety of wines for all flavour palettes and price ranges. We sipped on the Ernie Els Big Easy 2016 Red Blend and it was sublime.

We headed up to check out the buffet and what was on offer – and boy did I have a hard time making a decision. On offer at the Salad and Starter section was a stunning make-your-own-salad bar, with every topping and goodie you could imagine. I grabbed a few thing to make myself feel healthier about the fact I KNEW I’d be grabbing some naan bread later on. There was also cured meats, cured and smoked fish, two different noodle/pasta salads, a tabbouleh salad, beetroot salad, a tomato, fennel and baked fish salad, the BEST potato salad I’ve eaten, with sesame seeds and mustard, corn fritters, sticky pork ribs, a creamy broccoli soup and an assortment of breads with butter.

Starter – Tabbouleh Salad

I tried some of the salad goodies, a potato salad, a corn fritter, some smoked salmon, some olives and pickled onions and the beef and sweet chilli noodle salad. All were delicious and my plate was wiped clean very quickly.

Next up – the Hot and Main section. They have a hot top grill that has a 6 day rotation of meals, which vary between things like braai/grill meet, a carvery, a chow mein station or a pasta station. They had the chow mein station and pasta station open, and I was so tempted to go with some beef chow mein with noodles and veggies and lots of soy sauce (oh gosh I love soy sauce!) but I figured I’d go back for it. I didn’t. They also had the beautiful Tandoori oven going, with naan breads being constantly baked (garlic/sesame/butter varieties) and were producing some gorgeous Tandoori fish and chicken. There was also a butter chicken curry, mutton curry and a broad bean curry, as well as a veggie casserole, a paella with chorizo and white wine, steamed green veg, baby potatoes and basmati rice, along with various toppings and chillies.

I went with the naan, some butter chicken, a bit of the Tandoori chicken and the Tandoori fish, and some of the gorgeous looking paella. I also grabbed some of the whole chillies, as my partners plate was too full for them! I won’t lie, I figured I’d go back for the chow mein and some of the mutton curry, but I just knew I wouldn’t have space for dessert then. It didn’t stop me having another piece of naan though!

The Dessert section consisted of a lovely board of local cheeses with crackers and bread, as well as red velvet cake, fruit salad, brownies, trifles, mini pavlovas, mini fruit tarts, mini pecan tarts and a hot chocolate pudding with custard.

I knew I wouldn’t be able to fit much more in my full tum, so I went for a thin sliver of the red velvet cake and a brownie. Both were utterly divine, the best red velvet cake I’ve eaten! My only regret is not trying out the hot chocolate pudding and the pecan tarts, but hey – I’ll be back!

Visit the Hilton Hotel website to view the menu and make your booking!

Breakfast times:
Monday to Friday: 6.30am – 10.30am
Saturday, Sunday & public holidays: 7:00am – 11:00am

Dinner times:
Monday to Sunday: 6.30pm – 10:30pm

Author: Durbanite

Related Topics:durban Flavours Of The East Hilton Hotel Off The Hook Restaurant Vasco's Where to eat Where to eat out in Dur

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Thanks for coming out to the East Coast Radio House + Garden Show 2025

Published

3 months ago

10 July 2025

Shelley

There’s no better place to be out and about in South Africa than Durban in winter. Especially this past week and more! It’s school holidays, the horses are racing at Greyville, the surf’s up at Ballito… and it’s the East Coast Radio House + Garden Show at Durban’s Exhibition Centre.

Durbanites came out in their droves – 65 000 of them over the course of nine days – to suss out what the Show’s dynamic theme bright spaces.fresh living had in store for them! The Warmest Place to Be showed off new looks, new colours, new and much-loved brands… and visitors were loving it!

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There was something for every member of the family, every day, every evening, on the hour, every hour… and then some! “I thought it was a fabulous Show all round,” said one visitor, “Plenty to see and buy, lots of delicious food, a good place to meet friends, and very well organised. Bring on next year!” Whether basking outside in the glorious Durban sunshine, listening to live music from favourite musos, tucking into something delectable at one of the fab foodie stands, or picking from a packed calendar of crazy events for kids of all ages, we had the holidays sorted!

The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is renowned for its legendary Big, Better, Bumper Competitions, and this year, winners walked away with a combined prize value topping R300 000! From a kitchen to a cruise to a Business in a Box, there were loads of very happy winners when their names were the chosen ones!

This year saw many stand-out brands on stands, and for the Show’s Judging Team, selecting the best of the best was a battle… from deliciously dark and moody looks from The Kitchen Studio, to fresh, natural and beachy furnishings and furniture from The Patio Warehouse; a contemporary cool kitchen versus a very pretty and appealing one – two looks, one brand, from Woodnet Exclusive Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms. Outdoors, Craig McAllister, owner of Ikonik Luxury Furniture, was delighted with Durban’s response to his glorious outdoor furniture, as was Ops Manager of Easigrass and Adriya Sports, Charlene Coetzee: “Such a great opportunity to showcase the wide range of Easigrass applications!”

The doors closed this last Sunday on The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show 2025 and, with tens of thousands streaming through the gates, even more foot traffic than last year! Show Director Cairey Baxter-Bruce was delighted with the level of support shown by the exhibitors, the Show’s partners, and, of course, the visitors: “It was clear that exhibitors recognise the value in using the East Coast Radio House + Garden Show platform for their product or services. The support of our Show and buying from our exhibitors and vendors means we – and YOU, the visitor – are supporting local businesses and companies, which is vital for our current economy. We’re also particularly delighted with the range and number of new exhibitors, as well as the high standard of the kitchens, designers and decorators who’ve returned to the Show. In addition, this year, it’s been immensely gratifying that collaborations and organisations like KZNEDTEA, DTIC, and GEPA (Ghana Export Promotion Authority) have chosen to showcase their products and talents here.”

The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is not simply a highlight on the local calendar, but provides a valuable, annual economic and tourism boost to the city of Durban and the KZN province as a whole. A big, warm thank-you to Durban and KZN for coming out to support local!

Author: Shelley

Community

The Kitchen Is Calling At the East Coast Radio House + Garden Show!

Published

4 months ago

4 June 2025

Shelley

Step into the heart of the home and discover what’s hot in the kitchen! The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show 2025 is turning up the heat, with a spotlight on the latest and greatest in kitchen design, tech, and taste. Whether you’re a gourmet guru, a microwave maven, or a “dinner’s on Uber Eats” kind of cook, this year’s Show is where you’ll want to be.

“We’ve got our eye on kitchens this year” says Show Director Cairey Baxter-Bruce. “Kitchens are the new hangout zones. It’s not just about cooking anymore. It’s about creating a melting pot of style AND function. A space that can be both beautiful AND practical. It’s about effortlessly making the heart of your home something seriously cool.”

It’s all about fresh spaces. bright living, and there’s no space more vital, or more vibey, than the kitchen. Keep your eye on the Show floor for the hottest new trends. Think bold colours, open shelving, statement taps, and multifunctional islands. We’re dishing up this year’s hottest styles, like retro curves and throwbacks, the rise of the “office kitchen”. You’ll leave with more than just kitchen envy. You’ll have the tips, tricks and contacts to make your dream kitchen a reality.

In the mood for a makeover? Whether you’re going big on a full-scale reno, making a few sleek updates, or just need the perfect finishing touches, this is where inspiration meets expertise. Chat to the pros of cabinetry and solid wood advice from the team at Mistrys. Explore sleek, customised storage solutions with Cupboard Value, check out the latest finishes and surfaces at Veneer-It, and Visit The Michael House Kitchens for tailored craftsmanship and personal service.

Also on our radar… don’t miss one of the most exciting features on the Show floor: The Kitchen Studio. As South Africa’s largest and most respected customised kitchen and cabinetry manufacturers, The Kitchen Studio is showing up in a big way, with not one, but three exhibition stands showcasing over 30 years of design mastery. From sleek, contemporary kitchen concepts to a swoon-worthy bedroom installation, their exhibits are packed with inspiration. Expect premium finishes like imported stone, natural veneers, and solid timber details you can literally run your hands over. Many of their materials are responsibly sourced, biodegradable, or natural, proving that sustainable design can still bring that serious WOW factor.

They’re not just about good looks either. The Kitchen Studio blends form with function through cutting-edge kitchen tech. Remote-controlled extractors, concealed appliances, and sleek innovations can make everyday living smarter and more seamless. Some of these future-forward features will be demonstrated live at the Show, giving you a sneak peek at the next evolution in kitchen convenience.

Oh! And just wait until you see what they’ve done with the Hirsch’s Demo Kitchen. It’s smart. It’s sleek. It’s fully loaded. And the best part… it’s up for grabs. One lucky Show visitor will walk away with their forever-kitchen! That’s how we roll at the East Coast Radio House + Garden Show!

And don’t forget – it’s the school holidays!

Drop the kids at the epic new Kids Zone while you explore the Show in peace. With daily demos, delicious experiences, and expo-only deals, this is your one-stop destination for fresh ideas and future-forward living. Kitchen goals? Sorted. Inspiration for days? Absolutely. The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show runs from 28 June to 6 July at the Durban Exhibition Centre, and is stirring up styles, so come hungry for inspiration and ready to shop.