OK, we were in for quite a surprise with this one – all for the better. We were travelling through the Free State and lunchtime was approaching. Memel was the closest town. So we stopped and quickly googled for a place to eat in town and Hartland Oase came up with good reviews. So that was our place for lunch. However, when we stopped outside the building we were not too sure what to expect. A pawn shop right next door in the same building, and signs outside bleached by the sun. The reviews we saw did, however, convince us to get out of the car and go in.
Boy, o, boy! Great furniture, great ambience, friendly staff, and even other patrons! And all clean, even the toilets we asked to use. So we sat down and ordered from a menu with one or two spelling mistakes but we loved it as it simply, in our view, adds to the character of this place. Irma ordered a fish-and-chips with salad and I went for the bobotie and rice with salad, and an optional side of vegetables.
Irma loved her meal and could not finish all.
My opinion: Possibly (according to my memory) the best cooked-meal I ever had to pay for. No doubt. And Irma could not believe I polished it all off.
We also found that they sell rusks and purchased two packets – breakfast for the next morning. And it was good – credit to whoever baked that!
So, should you ever explore that area again and in need of a meal see if Hartland Oase is open. As they say: Never judge a book by its cover.
#besembekroadtrip
#besembekkie
#houjoubekkie
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