On a parking lot off a nondescript shopping centre, there’s not much to say about the location here, and my first experience of this much favoured restaurant didn’t really wow. The interior is nearly as drab as the location, so I figured it must be about the food. The menu is an eclectic blend of Italian, Asian and global influences and as the “bistro’ in the name suggests, the plating is often rustic, as are the flavours, which are generally sure but also lack real excitement. A crumbed snail starter with wild mushroom risotto lacked any fundamental earthiness and the mushrooms were tasteless. A duck breast salad was composed with lentils and leaves and was ok, no more. The mains we ate, both fish, showed a kitchen that can cook fish well, both the dorado and tuna were right, moist and fresh. The sides/toppings were rough though, and at the price (and reputation this place has) not really exciting enough. It really is a (pricy) bistro.
Avondale Centre, Ninth Ave, Morningside. 031 312 9134
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3 Comments
I have recently re-located from Durban to Johannesburg. For many years I frequented 9th Avenue Bistro, and found it extraordinarily good – indeed outstanding. The food was consistently excellent, imaginative in conception and beautifully presented. Their Pear and Gorgonzola salad is the best that I have had anywhere. The soups are invariably tasty, and the main course duck dishes (among others) are superb. What I especially liked was the ‘balance’ struck between subtle and delicate flavours on the one hand, and substantial, hearty servings on the other. Some top end restaurants, in my experience, tend to err on the side of over-stated subtlety and experimentation with flavours at the expense of substance. Finally, the dessert menu – which is not mentioned in your review – is in a class of its own, at least among restaurants in Durban. Your rather luke-warm review, in my opinion, does not do justice to this exceptional restaurant. One should not be too taken in by ‘drab’ appearances. It is the consistency with which a restaurant delights the palate that, for me, matters. And on this account, I sorely miss being in close proximity to 9th Ave Bistro!
I must say I agree with Raphael, 9th Ave Bistro is by far the best restuarant in Durban and I have only ever had outstanding meals there. I have been luckly enough to have travelled to over 30 different countries and I will always have 9th Ave as my bench mark of what a great restuarant should offer.
My third visit from Cape Town (and our plethora of great restaurants) and I must say that this Durban eaterie must rank in my top 10 internationally. The pear, gorgonzola and walnut salad was layers of delicious and the muscles were unputdownable. The pork belly was of a very high standard and I just could not eat any more. The location and decor are forgetable, but the service of both staff and management are a huge plus and enhance the experience. If you like good food and a pretty acceptable wine list, I doubt that you will do better than the 9th Avenue Bistro in Durbs. I cannot wait to come back and the new menu sounds just the excuse.