Ocean Basket is a chain seafood restaurant that one can almost find anywhere in South Africa. To be honest, I wasn’t that keen on it at first glance but decided to give it a try anyway. The place was packed. There were quite a few families there, which gave the two story restaurant a loud and constant hum of children and adult voices (at all decibel levels I might add). The atmosphere can definitely be described as loud and busy, bustling with patrons and staff alike. This is the type of place where you take your niece and her friends for her 10th birthday party rather than the place you go for a quaint date or anniversary.
Of course for me oysters have become a must at a seafood place and so I wanted to try them, even at a chain. The oysters were actually tasty and enjoyable … and seemingly fresh, so my stereotypes about mass ordered oysters was failing me. Next came a seafood platter, selected because of the appetizing photo in the menu. Here is the best part … the platter is served coated with a cream sauce which I did not realize from the picture. Peter, the gentleman who ran our food also was the floor manager and upon my reaction to the sea of creamy sauce, immediately took the platter back with no issue. I hate wasting food, but he assured us it was fine, and he promptly returned with a grilled and cream-free version of the first delivery. Look, the food is chain seafood food, but the service is excellent and the restaurant atmosphere is friendly if that is the vibe you are going for on any particular occasion.
Expert Review
Ocean Basket is a chain seafood restaurant that one can almost find anywhere in South Africa. To be honest, I wasn’t...
Ocean Basket is a chain seafood restaurant that one can almost find anywhere in South Africa. To be honest, I wasn’t that keen on it at first glance but decided to give it a try anyway. The place was packed. There were quite a few families there, which gave the two story restaurant a loud and constant hum of children and adult voices (at all decibel levels I might add). The atmosphere can definitely be described as loud and busy, bustling with patrons and staff alike. This is the type of place where you take your niece and her friends for her 10th birthday party rather than the place you go for a quaint date or anniversary.
Of course for me oysters have become a must at a seafood place and so I wanted to try them, even at a chain. The oysters were actually tasty and enjoyable … and seemingly fresh, so my stereotypes about mass ordered oysters was failing me. Next came a seafood platter, selected because of the appetizing photo in the menu. Here is the best part … the platter is served coated with a cream sauce which I did not realize from the picture. Peter, the gentleman who ran our food also was the floor manager and upon my reaction to the sea of creamy sauce, immediately took the platter back with no issue. I hate wasting food, but he assured us it was fine, and he promptly returned with a grilled and cream-free version of the first delivery. Look, the food is chain seafood food, but the service is excellent and the restaurant atmosphere is friendly if that is the vibe you are going for on any particular occasion.