Could this be the best buffet along Durban's Golden Mile?

The Lingela restaurant at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani, one of the oldest hotels on Durban's beach front, has dramatically revamped their buffet, writes Suzy Bell

I love the ’70s-style designs, the Jack Black beer, charming staff, holiday beach vibes and calamari as tender as the first summer’s night. What a delicious feast.

It starts with a fresh coconut creamy Pina Colada at the second-floor Elangeni pool deck. Next minute, you’re seated downstairs at the revamped Lingela restaurant buffet that would make Asterix and Obelix salivate. The hotel’s executive chef, Shaun Munro, and chef, Athizaam Rassool, along with their talented young team are in fine form.

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A hotel buffet can be the art of food exhibits and taste heavenly when fresh and seasonal or it can be the 14th-century bain-marie of broken dreams.

The seafood selection is insanely good, reminding me of beautiful sun-kissed al fresco nights in Maputo cafes sucking on prawn heads and sipping the local cerveja (beer), Laurentina. The prawns are ocean fresh and sit well on the buffet ice.

We tucked into the lavish selection of cheeses; the beautiful starters with salmon mousse; fresh, pop-in-your-mouth dolmades and halloumi cheese wrapped snugly and lovingly in soft eggplant; and the most succulent tandoori chicken with juju in its sauce brought us back for more. Yep, don’t bother eating lunch if you’re heading to Lingela.

The roasts are sublime; best book your Christmas lunch here now if you can’t be fussed to do it at home.

There is a new curry corner with a range of traditional Durban curries. To appeal to vegetarians, always sidelined, a lovely paneer tikka masala would work, as the vegetable biryani is average. The chicken and prawn curry needs more love with fresh prawns. This curry sauce is not quite on the I-want-more level compared to the high standard of the delish tandoori chicken.

This is a real family festive treat. This buffet is beautifully presented with highlights being the cheese and sweets on creative display and the gorgeous copper chafing pots hosting the curries.

To book your table at Lingela, contact theSouthern Sun Elangeni & Maharani hotel on 031-362-1300.

This article was originally published in ones of the Sunday Times Neighbourhood: Property & lifestyle guides. Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za, like YourNeighbourhoodZA on Facebook and follow YourHoodZA on Twitter.