Talking points at the Green Parrot
Green Parrot
Where: 12 Mackeurtan Ave, Durban North
Open: Monday to Saturday 11.30am to 3pm, 5pm to 8.30pm
Call: 031 564 2939
It was the poet’s idea and she loves Asian food. She even makes me eat from Indo-Chinese menus which, as I am sure all have gathered, I still don’t properly understand. But during the holiday festivities she suggested we all have a feast at the Green Parrot in Durban North.
I was game. It’s an establishment I have enjoyed. Thai based with a delicious range of authentic curry pastes and sauces, it also branches out competently into the Asian fusion market. No, this is not confusion. There’s always something new and interesting on the menu, which I appreciate.
And so the Poet and the family, and Trevor and Liz and I were sitting on the open deck overlooking the busy melee in Mackuertan Avenue, sipping wine and beers. Drinks here are very reasonable.
As we sat and munched on nice crisp prawn spring rolls, we decided we would order a range of dishes for the table. Chicken spring rolls too were worth a mention.
Other starters include crispy wontons, salt and pepper calamari, five spice chicken wings and chicken satay. There’s also a beach salad, a chicken or beef waterfall salad and a crunchy veg salad.
For mains there are an array of curries - green, red, Massaman and angry - and fried rice dishes along with wok fries, mostly Thai inspired. And then there’s a special board with an array of more interesting options.
We enjoyed the crispy chilli fish (R189) which had a good spice tingle and the tuna salad (R120) done almost poke bowl style and drizzled with Japanese mayo. We were impressed. The prawn stirfry (R165) in a spicy peanut and coconut sauce too was good, topped with nice crunchy fresh vegetables.
We couldn’t decide which of the duck dishes to order - and so we thought we would try both. The chu chee duck (R220) arrived on a bed of crispy spinach, which is always a favourite, topped with a mild, slightly sweet coconut based sauce. And then there was the golden noodle duck (R220) with its lovely crisp skin coated in a honey, soy and chilli glaze. We all voted for the latter but both were good dishes. And both were passed around the table greedily.
For me the highlight was the crispy pok belly (R179), succulent and tender slices of nicely spiced pork with a crispy layer of skin and a beautiful, spicy and deeply umami dipping sauce. What a relief, no barbecue sauce, or sweet chilli sauce. I also think the pickled ginger that accompanied it worked well. We liked it so much we quickly ordered another plate. And devoured that as quickly.
Dessert options were limited, and besides by the time we had munched our way through all that food, the kitchen was closing.
Instead we alighted to the Poet’s place for pistachio ice-lollies and coffees.
Food: 3 ½
Service: 3 ½
Ambience: 3
The Bill: R1882 for seven