BIG GER THAN YOUR AVERAGE

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN A SENSORY JOURNEY OF JAPANESE FLAVOURS AT BALLITO’S NEWEST HOTSPOT, YORI O K I

WORDS KATHARYNN KESSELAAR

KWA-ZULU NATAL (KZN) ISN’T necessarily known for its vibrant East Asian food scene, so the opening of Ballito’s Japanese-fusion restaurant, Yori ōkī, was most certainly a welcome delight.

I heard about this new space and, having secured a reservation – booking is essential – I was excited to see if this new eatery was worth the hype.

Created by husband-and-wife duo Christos and Tracy Konahos, Yori ōkī was born out of their shared love for Asian cuisine. No strangers to the restaurant scene, having already achieved success with their Greek restaurant, Attikos Mediterranean Grill, their new gem is a beautifully designed space in which to indulge in the flavours of Japan.

Translated to English, Yori ōkī means “bigger than”, “greater” or “more often”, and upon entering, you are immersed in a unique Japanese dining experience. The ambience is big: big on Japan, big on flavour and big on atmosphere.

The extensive food offering serves up a fusion of Japanese flavours, from traditional and signature sushi and dim sum to ramen, mamezara (small dishes) and some distinctive desserts. Everything is created in-house, including the teriyaki sauce, with many ingredients imported from Japan and other Asian countries.

I consider myself somewhat of a calamari connoisseur and the Sichuan salt and pepper calamari did not disappoint. We shared the edamame beans – after all, it would be rude not to.

The prawn wontons provided delicious pockets of flavour, and the sushi was simply delicious. I had the oki kuchi and can attest that even after eight pieces, I was left wanting more. The prawn salad and Kongo combo was also a resounding success. The food was a celebration of Japanese fusion cuisine at its finest. The drinks menu is hardly an afterthought, with an extensive range of Japanese liquors and whiskies that only added to the authentic nature of Yori ōkī.

After the turmoil that has hit KZN shores over the past year, eateries like this one provide much-needed light and respite –affirming that there is still much to offer from this coastal region. From the service to the flavours and the intricate decor details, I can confirm that I am big on Yori ōkī, and am sure you will be too.

Where: Ballito Lifestyle Centre, Ballito, KZN, 4420 Contact: 087 711 2001

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE we understand each other upfront,” Yossi Schwartz tells me when we sit down to chat about his new venture, The Queens.

I’d requested an interview with the independent whisky bottler following a visit to the venue a couple of weeks prior. While the occasion was its launch, the event was by no means a PR exercise; I was the only journo in attendance, my invitation coming by way of bar manager and industry comrade Matthew Cox.

The place is so private that it doesn’t even have a name, going by the name The Queens, which was the name of the hotel the 200-year-old building used to house.

“I know it might sound a little bit arrogant, but we only deal with people we like,” Yossi elaborates. “That's because, for me, when you come to the lounge, it’s like inviting you into my house. This is my unique selling point (USP).”