After one or two failed attempts at eating cooked oysters, I have frequently turned up my nose at anything but a fresh, plain, uncooked oyster. So when I was invited to dinner at Bentley’s Oyster Bar in Claremont, I knew it was going to be both a blessing and a curse.
Hi, my name is Kayli and I’m an oyster snob.
With the largest live oyster system in Africa, Bentley’s know how to keep oysters happy. And a happy oyster is a delicious oyster. I had to have a few plain large oysters (R18 each) just to satisfy the craving, and they were delicious, plump and fresh.
Next up we had a platter of cooked and flavoured oysters:
Canjun Deep Fried (R18 each) now this was difficult for me. I was terrified that I was going to be let down. That the oyster would be ruined by the cooking process. BUT it wasn’t. It still tasted like oyster, not oil or batter. It was spicy, perfectly crisp on the outside, and soft on the inside. Citrus Oyster (R18 each) with orange, lime and jalapeño dressing on a fresh oyster. This was just my cup of tea. Zesty, fresh and spicy – the dressing brought out the saltiness of the oyster. Tarragon Butter Grilled Oyster (R35) although delicious, this was my least favourite, mainly because it was cooked all the way through.
Next up we had an incredible Oyster Stuffed Bell Pepper (R38) in a creamy tomato sauce. Perfect for a winters night, this dish was wholesome and rich. The oysters were gently cooked and maintained their texture. The sauce was just perfect, I could easily have eaten it as a soup.
The Creamy Oyster Risotto (R26 – although this was a bigger portion than usual) was seasoned beautifully with chilli, garlic and onion. It too was perfect for a chilly night. The oysters added a seafood flavour to the perfectly cooked risotto.
I could have happily carried on tasting and testing different oyster and flavour combinations, but we moved on to main courses to see what they were like.
The Duck a l’orange (R155) was moist and delicious. The sauce was just the right balance of sweet and sour. The Lamb Chops (R165) were served with a mango, chilli and coconut salsa. The chops were gorgeous. They had been “Frenched” immaculately (no, they weren’t being smooched, the fat, sinew and meat connecting the bones had been removed). They were beautifully caramelised and their richness went well with the vibrant salsa. Both mains were served with baby roasted potatoes, very creamy (maybe too creamy?) spinach, and a mix of roasted veg.
While the oysters and starters are simple and finessed, the mains are far more robust. Big portions and lots on the plate. Not so pretty, but delicious. To get to Bentley’s Oyster Bar you walk down a passageway that honestly feels like you’re being taken into a new universe. It is this enormous, classy restaurant in the heart of student-ville. Quite a far cry from Tiger Tiger and Tin Roof just across the way. This is the perfect place to go if you aren’t used to eating oysters, as there will be a few for you. And if you are an oyster-lover like me, you’ve found a little piece of paradise.
PS: Cocktail specials every day AND 5 oysters and a glass of champagne for R69 every Saturday.
PPS: They are also a function venue, BUT if you want to have live shucked oysters at a party at your place, or at your event, they will bring them to you (minimum order required).
PPPS: They also have free undercover parking, which they will organise for you if you when you call to book!
