Last week we headed east (or, rather, up 29 North) to the Indian restaurant, Maharaja. This week we decided to continue on our international journey through the world of cuisine and headed south -- to South Africa, that is -- and the restaurant Shebeen. Just as we were pleasantly surprised with Maharaja, we were once again taken aback by our delight with a new food and a new culture.
We pulled into the parking lot of Vinegar Hill, where Shebeen is located, and were greeted by trees delicately decorated with faint white Christmas lights, separating us from busy Preston Avenue. Inside, the restaurant was dimly lit -- appropriate for a dinner outing. To the immediate right was a nice-sized bar, and from the closing time listed on the door as 2 a.m., we figured that Shebeen is also a place to come for a night scene. The easel that listed the specials of the evening also advertised weekly Sunday afternoons filled with live Irish music (3-6 p.m.).
We were seated at a quaint table in the corner; each table had a beaded lampshade with a candle as its centerpiece. Exposed wooden beams above us and a stone wall at the rear emitted an antique, authentic feel.
Upon sitting, we immediately took note of the photographs and artwork. The walls were enhanced with black and white photographs of what we believed to be (and was later confirmed to be) African wildlife and landscapes. There also were carved wooden statues and rugs hanging from the wall. In the background, faint music was playing as a soundtrack to our meal. Our waiter, Christian, was able to answer all of our questions concerning the decor. He informed us that two brothers owned the restaurant and they, with their family, once lived in Zimbabwe for eight years. The brothers' mother was an amateur photographer and she took all of the photographs in Africa. The photographs and artwork supplied authenticity to the atmosphere and made us look forward to our meal even more.
We decided to begin the meal with two appetizers. We ordered the pita chips and roasted red pepper hummus and the peri-peri wings. Both appetizers were amazing. Even for those of us who are not the biggest fans of hummus, the Moroccan-style roasted red pepper-infused hummus was delicious on the pita chip. The hummus offered a subtle flavor and complemented the crunchy pita chips well. The peri-peri wings were chicken wings spiced with traditional Peri-peri (crushed bird's eye chiles) and served with blue cheese dressing. The menu warned of spiciness; we determined that it was hot to the lips but not too overpowering. Both appetizers had our mouths watering for our ordered entrees.
Before our entrees arrived, we ordered potato-leek soup that came served in their pub-made bread bowl. This bread bowl kept the large portion of soup hot and appetizing. The plate was sprinkled with paprika and baked sweet potato shavings for dipping. The soup's excessive saltiness was the only slight complaint.
Our entrees came in a timely fashion. Between four of us, we ordered "Sausage Roll Numba 2," the "Peri-Peri Chicken," the "Peri-Peri Shrimp Skewers," and the "Calamari." The blackened calamari was cooked in a chili baste with a marinara sauce and a white sauce that was similar to ranch dressing. It was a nice change to see blackened calamari as an option instead of fried. The sausage roll was grilled, very flavorful and tender, not greasy. The Peri-Peri chicken had a delectable sauce that accompanied the rotisserie chicken; however, we found the chicken to be a bit dry, comparable to turkey the day after Thanksgiving. While all the entrees were tasty, the Peri-Peri shrimp skewers were decidedly the favorite among the group. The dish came with six large grilled shrimp in peri-peri, garlic and oil, skewered on bamboo and served with mango chutney. The mango chutney was a bit spicy, but it added a flavor that was new and welcomed by all of us. Each entree was served with a vegetable medley and either a side of mashed potatoes or Cajun-styled French fries, which were called "chips" on the menu. The "chips" were good, but the mashed potatoes were to die for.
Even after all of the amazing food, we decided that we could not pass up the dessert menu. We ordered the "Koek Sisters and Ice Cream" to split between two of us. The dish came out promptly and beautifully garnished. There were pieces of deep fried braided dough that had been dipped in citrus syrup, accompanied by an assortment of fruit (strawberries, blueberries and raspberries), a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzled chocolate sauce covering the plate. The "Koek Sisters and Ice Cream" was just as enjoyable as the Peri-Peri shrimp skewers and added a lasting impression to an already amazing meal.
Once again, we have nothing but good to say about our outing, meal and experience. The wait staff was helpful, attentive and informative. The atmosphere was perfect. The restaurant was not crowded but seemed to be occupied by more of an older crowd, making Shebeen a relaxing, quaint place for any dinner or date. Through Shebeen (and Maharaja last week) we have decided that Charlottesville has a surplus of superb restaurants offering diverse foods. If you are looking for something a bit different, with amazing recipes and an inviting atmosphere, there is nothing better than Shebeen.
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