Living in an apartment overlooking the ocean has its advantages, but disadvantages too. One of the disadvantages is the inability to have a barbecue. The Backyard in Sea Point addresses that problem.

There is no menu as such — one is presented by a large display chiller with an array of meats and cuts as well as vegetables suitable for grilling. On the wall behind the chiller is a chalkboard offering sides. Not having a proper menu, ones options are endless. If you want a couple of ribs along with a steak of any cut, the choice is yours – whatever you want, your meal price is determined by weight.

After a lot of pondering, I eventually settled on lamb chops along with large black mushrooms and baby potatoes. Once your selection is made, it is taken to the griller located outdoors, where if you wish, you can watch it being grilled.

The restaurant has a resident Boston Terrier. He is up and down inspecting everyone, but unlike any other dog I have known, seems quite disinterested in the food on offer, but I guess he gets plenty along with an endless supply of bones.

The lamb chops were done to absolute perfection using a secret basting sauce – juicy, tender and succulent with crispy fat. I regret not ordering four or more instead of the sensible two I ordered. The mushrooms were also very good, but for some reason, I got tired of the taste of the baby potatoes. It seemed some spice had been used, which after a while became a little much.

Although quiet when I got there, the restaurant gets quite busy. Seating is offered both outdoors and indoors. The only problem was flies. Plenty of flies. Heaven knows how many times one decided to land on my face or nose, and at all times there were one or two on the table. I’m unsure if this is a regular occurrence, but it was the cause of me eating in a bit of a hurry before one decided to share my meal.