ENJOYING SEAFOOD WITH THE SAND UNDER YOUR FEET

Writer Hedda Mittner

This is not your average fine dining experience,” announces the disarming Gustave du Bois as his guests get ready to tuck into the first round of delectable seafood served up at this beach restaurant on the edge of the Klein River estuary at Prawn Flats. “Hier werk dinge ‘n bietjie anders.”

Those who don’t understand Afrikaans had better take someone along who does, as you would not want to miss out on his most entertaining brand of local humour and Gustave, whose family hails from the West Coast, says they only speak English in cases of “severe emergency or self-defense”.

It is safe to say that De Vette Mossel is a restaurant like no other. Don’t expect starched tablecloths and crystal glasses – or even much in the line of crockery and cutlery. At De Vette Mossel Beach Seafood Restaurants you dine in true beach fashion as the owners believe that the only way to enjoy seafood is with the sand under your feet – and who needs knives and forks if a mussel shell works just as well.

It’s an informal and no-fuss set-up, encour- aging diners to kick back and relax. The “restaurant” is a rustic structure covered with a tented roof and fitted with windows on the sea-side that can be opened or closed depending on the strength of the breeze. The other side is open and affords diners full view of the fire pit where all the seafood is prepared over open flames. The venue is a paradise for children, with lots of space to run around and explore, and a most imaginative jungle gym that will keep them occupied for hours. Even a trip up to the bathrooms via wooden walkways is an adventure – whether you need to “go” or not, don’t leave without checking it out! Humorous signs are posted along the way to ensure you don’t lose your way.

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