At FabMags, our team isn’t just a group of people working together – we’re a family. And what better way to connect with family than around a table filled with incredible food? Nicole and Trevor, the heart and soul behind Al Pescatore, knew exactly how to make that happen. Having worked with them for years, we knew their restaurant would set the scene for something special.
If you haven’t popped into Al Pescatore recently, you’re in for a surprise. The restaurant has had a gorgeous makeover, giving it a fresh, modern feel with stylish new seating, tables, and a stunning bar. But don’t worry, their authentic charm hasn’t gone anywhere. We just had to experience it for ourselves and share it with our readers.
Nicole and Trevor put together a thoughtful menu and plan for our team day, and from the moment we arrived, we knew we were in for a treat. Walking in, the space felt bright and welcoming, flowing from reception to the deck and into the new bar, where our foodie adventure kicked off.
Waiting for us were Aperol Spritz trees (yes, trees!) and a spread of their new bar bites. Juicy bacon-wrapped prawn bites with a creamy mayo dip, deep-fried calamari with the most addictive ginger, soy, and coriander sauce (I’d honestly buy that by the bottle), and bite-sized pizzas that paired perfectly with a drink in hand. The new bar and nibbles have such a vibe – perfect for after-work drinks, catching up with friends,or even a date night.
Once we’d mingled and snacked, Nicole led us to a beautifully set table, where the real feast began – family style, of course. And that’s the beauty of Al Pescatore: it’s not just a spot for dinner, it’s the perfect place for year-end lunches, celebrations, and family functions too.
We tucked into their famous Mediterranean Grill Seafood Platters, loaded with grilled hake, prawns, mussels, seafood kebabs, and the dreamiest peppadew-and-prawn phyllo pastry. On the side? Chips, veggies, rice, and three of their signature house-made sauces. But the table didn’t stop there; pizzas arrived, too. The veg-friendly Gourmet Pizza with butternut, spinach, onion, feta, rosemary balsamic reduction, and avocado. The Thai Prawns & Calamari Pizza with prawns, calamari, mushrooms, pickled ginger, fresh coriander, and balsamic drizzle. The Al Franco with salami, feta, capers, and calamata olives. And the famous Durbs Pizza, fillet steak topped with a creamy curry sauce and avocado (my personal favourite!).
Trevor and Nicole went the extra mile, adding in their Prawn Poppers: prawn tails in a crispy beer batter with coconut, coriander, and chilli sauce, plus Combo Platters of saucy pork ribs and chicken wings. Between the laughter, the “mmm’s,” and the quiet moments of everyone just enjoying themselves, it felt like the perfect celebration of both food and family.
And then, dessert. One tradition they’ve kept through the revamp is the dessert tray, rolled right up to your table. We were treated to the peppermint tart and their famous Bar-One cheesecake, both served with vanilla ice cream. Paired with our coffees, it was the perfect sweet ending.
The cherry on top? Spotting a whale splashing out at sea. Moments like that remind us how lucky we are to live here.
To the Al Pescatore family, thank you for treating our family team to such a special experience and for reminding us why your restaurant will always be one of Ballito’s favourites.
Special Thanks
A huge thank you toNicole and Trevor from Al Pescatore for hosting our team, and thank you toTazz from Coastal Media for the stunning images, capturing our experience!
Website: www.alpescatore.co.za
Photographer: coastalmediakzn
