Sunday 23 March 2014

Shaka Zulu - A South African Restaurant Review

I was recently given the opportunity to review a restaurant in Camden called Shaka Zulu.  It is a South African restaurant.


Camden Market hides a plethora of rather nice restaurants and not just the fast food outlets so I had a look at Shaka Zulu's web site before we went to see if I could get an idea of the place.  It didn't do justice to the actual restaurant. It it did look dark and interesting but the reality was far better.

As I often do I invited my friend Val to accompany me. We had just walked around the Knit and Stitch show at Olympia. It would have been a bit of a marathon getting from one to the other by underground but as it happened there was a bus stop outside of the Olympia. A quick look and we found that the number 27 bus went practically door to door and on such a beautiful sunny afternoon we enjoyed a tour of West London as well!


Once inside the restaurant we were delighted to see the authentic carving and statues (all brought from South Africa at a cost of millions of £s).

They had a very impressive and well stocked bar which was very busy with people just popping in for an evening of chat and a few drinks.

 

 
Our table was cosy and we looked at a very impressive and somewhat scary menu. Well I wasn't brave enough to order zebra or ostrich steak!


For starter Val had the crocadile cigarillos.  I tasted a bit to add to my repatoire that I had eaten it.


I picked the smoked salmon which arrived in a mysterious cloud as it was placed over a block of dry ice - very impressive!


The waitress was very helpful and described all the dishes we were not familiar with. Wanting a typical main course I decided on the Beef Bobotjie, a sort of mince with a thin egg custard layer on top served with saffron rice and a chutney. Val liked the sound of it and ordered the same!



We each chose a side dish and shared them.  We had roasted butternut squash with caramelised cinnamon and sauteed mange tout and red onion.


 
Crisp and crunchy mange tout and red onions.


They have a nice pudding selection and we picked a trio of authentic South African puddings.


 

You can contact Shaka Zulu in all the usual ways.  It is essential to book for Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday lunchtimes.

 
I was a guest of Shaka Zulu but was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions are my own.
 

21 comments:

  1. Sounds very interesting indeed! It sounds as if they went to a lot of trouble with the presentation, which is nice. I have eaten Ostrich meat - it was more like beef than a bird. I've also had Eland steak, which was just like venison, though perhaps a bit firmer. Bobotie is a favourite in our household: we have a recipe for it in an old "Food from around the World" cookbook.

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    1. It was a lovely meal, I would highly recommend this restaurant.

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  2. I have been to Shaka Zulu for my brother's birthday but never tried the food there. I have to admit I am not very brave when it comes to trying new types of meat but have eaten ostrich before in Borough Market and enjoyed it. What was the crocodile like?

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    1. The croc was a bit chewy and not really my thing! but otherwise we had a lovely meal.

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  3. I came across Babotie for the first time in Masterchef South Africa which has just finished. All sorts of dishes I'd never heard of and didn't have when I was on holiday there either. This looks delicious and well worth a visit for a trip down memory lane. Thanks GG

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    1. There were lots of things on the menu I had never had and if you are a bit adventurous you would be in your element!

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  4. What a great spread, looks divine!
    Janie x

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  5. Sounds like a great place with character and full of great food ;)

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    1. Definitely lots of character. the staff were very helpful and the food tasty.

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  6. I had croc years ago when in Mauritius. Was delicious. Very envious of your night out

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    1. They certainly had an interesting range of meats on offer!

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  7. sounds like you had fun Heidi! I've had ostrich and crocodile (in Brussels!!!) and enjoyed both, but I guess a lot depends on how it is cooked

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    1. I need to get over those thoughts in my head about eating unconventional meats!!

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  8. I love all the food choices in Camden market. It's fantastic.

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    1. I am slowly discovering the food side of the market!

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  9. Worth a visit if you are ever in Camden Market!

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  10. This place looks really fun, I love the elephant - what an interior design statement!

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    1. The elephant was spectacular but there were loads more around the restaurant

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