This summer, Ocean Basket isn’t simply adding new items to their menu; they’re completely transforming the dining experience for guests, redefining what it means to enjoy seafood and introducing an exciting array of new meals, drinks and desserts that promise to surprise and delight both loyal patrons and new guests alike.
Bring on the Burger
One of the most exciting additions to the menu is the introduction of a burger category, something completely new for Ocean Basket’s South African market. While burgers have been available in some international locations, this marks their debut locally.
These aren’t just any burgers. The team went in search of the ultimate burger, visiting dozens of competitors, and decided they could do better. The result is four gourmet burger options, each crafted to offer a unique taste sensation, packed with scrumptious fillings and served in a buttery brioche bun, lightly toasted and bursting with their famous garlic lemon sauce, tzatziki, zesty mayo and pickled red onion.
The Panko Fish Burger is filled with crispy panko crumbed fish, the Calamari Burger is crammed with fried calamari steak strips, the Prawn Burger features panko crusted prince prawns, while the Halloumi Burger is bursting with fried halloumi.
And no burger is complete without the famous French fry: diners can now choose from three types of chip: potato, sweet potato or crunchy zucchini. For the health conscious, choose from a lemon and herb couscous salad or a pickled cucumber salad.
Brand new OB sodas are available in grapefruit, gingerbeer or peach. (they make great mixers for cocktails too).
Background
Ocean Basket has taken time to ensure the menu delivers a taste experience that an entire family can delight in – and one that’s perfect for date nights too. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, there’s something for everyone.
A Symphony of Flavours
The new menu offers an impressive variety of dishes, each crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Among the stand-out additions is the crispy panko fish, which offers a crunchy, golden exterior with a tender, flaky inside. Accompanied by creamy lemon sauce, of course, this dish is available with either hake or pollock and is set to become a firm favourite. Another highlight is the chimichurri royals – ten succulent prawns dressed with a zesty chimichurri sauce that burst with flavour at each bite.
In keeping with the long, hot Summer days ahead, there is a wider variety of lighter meals and small plates. Created to ensure that everyone can enjoy a tasty and satisfying meal, these options go beyond the traditional fish and chips, presenting a range of flavours and ingredients with tempting choices like salmon ceviche, salt and pepper squid and panko olives.
Salads also take centre stage this season with new creations like the crown prawn salad featuring a zesty lemon couscous base, topped with golden panko prawns and drizzled with a rich coronation sauce.
The Perfect Finish
Rounding off any meal is a refreshing drink or a delectable dessert and Ocean Basket doesn’t disappoint. The drinks offering now includes new premium wines available across all restaurants and the menu even includes wine pairing suggestions to enhance guests’ meals.
Slushees, available in both virgin and spiked versions, are perfect for cooling down on a hot summer day and come in interesting variants from grapefruit to ginger beer or chocolate.
On the sweeter side of things, the new desserts are indulgent and playful. The lemon burst ice cream offers a tangy, refreshing treat, while the “Saturdaes” desserts are a fun twist on the classic sundae (like a Sundae but more fun) and include three decadent ice cream delights: The Sweet Saffer with koeksister and malva pudding chunks; the Nutty Greek with baklava and toasted almond flakes, or the Lemon Meringue with meringue, lemon curd and shortbread.
Welcome Home
And the transformation doesn’t stop with the meals. The presentation has also received a significant upgrade with the introduction of new crockery and glasses. The carefully chosen tableware is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a tactile experience that complements the flavours on the plate. The feel of the glass, the weight of the plate and the way the colours of the food pop against the dishes – all contribute to a sensory experience and play a crucial role in enhancing this welcoming atmosphere, transforming an ordinary dining experience into something special and making guests feel at home.
Ocean Basket’s new summer menu makes every meal a shared experience. The traditional sharing platters remain a firm favourite, offering an array of seafood delights that bring people together around the table, and now the small plates can be ordered as a selection, allowing everyone to explore new flavours. This feeling is central to Ocean Basket’s philosophy, where meals are about family and connection, and where each dish is an invitation to share, savour and celebrate together.
This is a bold new direction for the brand. By focusing on improving core products, introducing new flavours and enhancing the overall dining experience, Ocean Basket has set itself apart from the crowd.
Crafting the Future of Flavour: Where passion meets precision
In the culinary world, few experiences are as exhilarating as the birth of a completely new menu. At Ocean Basket, this journey has been spearheaded by two dynamic women: Menu Executive Marilet Terblanche and Head of Food Alet Kilchenmann. Over the past six months, their dedication and creativity have culminated in a menu that not only signals a new direction for the beloved brand but also deepens its core philosophy – making every guest feel at home.
“Summer 2024 is different because it’s nothing like anything we have done before. We’ve rejigged it right from scratch and started with a blank canvas.”
For Marilet and Alet, this project was more than just a professional endeavour; it was a labour of love. Marilet’s eyes light up as she talks about the long hours spent testing, tasting and tweaking, ensuring that every flavour combination was just right: “We were committed to maintaining the integrity of the seafood while introducing new, exciting elements. This meant sourcing the freshest ingredients and experimenting with different cooking techniques to enhance the natural flavours, as well as considering the presentation, ensuring that each dish looks as good as it tastes.”
Alet echoes this sentiment: “We’ve poured our hearts into this menu. It’s about more than just food; it’s about creating moments. Every dish tells a story, and we wanted our guests to feel that connection, to feel like they’re part of something special when they dine with us. Creating this menu was both challenging and rewarding – every dish had to taste great but also feel at home on our tables.”
The couple dove into extensive research and taste tests together says Marilet: “We began by exploring various flavour profiles, considering not only the taste but also how each dish would complement the overall dining experience. This was a meticulous process, with each potential dish scrutinised for its balance, freshness and ability to evoke that sense of home and comfort that Ocean Basket is known for.”
The development of the fish burgers, a key feature of the new menu, saw the two buying and consuming burgers from every burger outlet in SA in search of the ultimate burger, weighing burgers, chips and buns – and decided they could do better. They spent countless hours perfecting the seasoning and selection of toppings, ensuring that every bite would be memorable and in harmony with the summer theme, says Alet: “We wanted to ensure that each burger aligned with our brand’s identity. The challenge was to innovate while staying true to the Ocean Basket tradition.”
This result is a bold new direction for Ocean Basket. More importantly, it’s an invitation to feel at home the moment you step into their restaurants. “We wanted to create a space where everyone feels welcome, whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, the new menu is designed to make you feel like you’re part of the family,” says Alet.
The warmth and belonging that Marilet and Alet have infused into the new menu are palpable. “There’s a sense of togetherness in every dish, from the way it’s prepared to the way it’s served, we want our guests to feel that they’re not just having a meal but sharing an experience. This menu is about more than just introducing new items; it’s about rekindling the love for good food and the simple pleasure of eating together,” Marilet explains.
She adds: “There is a much broader menu and training team that has worked around the clock to make this a success. They were a central part of the testing, procurement, the consumer research and presentations, and they all had to eat loads and loads of burgers to ensure we hit the right mark. We couldn’t have achieved this without the amazing support base we have together.”
As Ocean Basket embarks on this exciting new chapter, it’s clear that Marilet and Alet’s passion has set the stage for something truly special. Their love for food, creativity and genuine care for their guests has resulted in a menu that is as heartfelt as it is flavourful.
Content and images supplied.
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