The Danté Experience, Umhlanga
DINE. DRINK. DISCOVER - THE DANTE EXPERIENCE
DANTE – Italian poet; full name Dante Alighieri, wrote The Divine Comedy, an epic poem that describes his spiritual journey through Hell and Purgatory and finally to Paradise.
Dante, from the Latin word durante, means steadfast and enduring and this is what joint owners Ayanda and Andile Ngidi feel represents both their faith and their work ethic. Dante is also built on the site of one of Durban’s most loved, legendary dining spots, Ile Maurice.
“This place has brought dining pleasure to countless people over the years,” says Ayanda, “so we are excited that by injecting new life, love and colour to the building, we are bringing a whole new era of diners into the space for many more years to come.”
Born and bred Durbanites, ‘The Twins’ are well-known as the brains and energy behind The Social Pop-Up event co-ordination company, they started in 2011. Entrepreneur Trent Varejes,the third partner, hails from Johannesburg and has known the brothers for over 10 years, during which time they had been looking for an opportunity to work together on a joint project. Finding Dante, was ‘no accident’ say Ayanda and Andile. “We have been dreaming of opening a venue like this for as long as we can remember, so when we found the site and presented our idea to Trent, our dreams became reality ...and Dante was born. Combining their collective business experience and hospitality skills towards this one joint project has been ‘really exciting’, says Varejes. “We wanted to create a ‘knock-out’ restaurant and I believe that with an amazing team, we’ve realised our vision.”
With two years of business under their belts and the three dynamic, young operators at the helm, the sheer scale of the operation has certainly made an impact on Durban’s wining and dining scene. In fact, they have the envious reputation of selling the most French Champagne in Umhlanga, no mean feat when you consider they’ve only been’on the block’ for two and a half years. And they’re not done yet... with plans to continuously evolve and grow the Dante Experience.
The strong visual aesthetic, flows easily from outdoors, to the restaurant to bar, to rooftop. Inspiration from the restaurant’s former life, can be seen in the way the building has been completely re-imagined to suit its new purpose. Durban interior designer Alice Kelly’s interirors are big and bold, with hints of lle Maurice’s Mauritian legacy and where possible, existing restaurant tiles, balustrades, basins and mosaics were retained to create the base of the story, while an impressive collection of Victoria Verbaan prints, bring the stairwell and walls to life. Moulded pressed ceilings were added for character, and layered with bold wallpapers, art, velvets, linens, chandeliers, chunky bamboo blinds, elegant light fittings and furniture. A cornucopia of colours all working together like a beautiful piece of tapestry.
Multiple venues on multiple floors offer something for every customer - from the island-style Verandah opening into the light and airy Restaurant, to the elegant Champagne Bar, tropical Oriental Bar and Cigar Bar, Signature Room & Deck, before stepping outside to a Gin Terrace and upwards to a show-stopping roof-top Bar, with 180 degree, hypnotic Indian Ocean sea views.
The inspired contemporary Mediterranean / Italian menu, with a South African twist is in the capable hands of Chefs Matt Lombard and Goodness Vundla and diners can expect to see an abundance of local ingredients, sustainably sourced meat and fish and the best of international foodstuff... only when absolutely necessary.
The Dante Twins
Open daily for lunch and dinner and for brunch on Saturday & Sundays, Also a popular venue for special events, corporate and private functions.
Contact thedanteexperience.co.za or call 087 1333263 to book or for more information.
