MOZAMBIQUE GOES CASUAL!

Review by Sheryll Alexander

Fine dining restaurants don’t usually go fast casual, but South Laguna’s Mozambique recently opened such a come-as-you-are spot with surprisingly low prices at Newport’s The Bluffs.

We recently taste tasted some of Mozambique’s lunch and dinner items. After only a few bites, we realized this inexpensive version of the Laguna restaurant is an exotic meal. In fact, we felt the saffron-infused rice and grilled meats reminded us of Persian cuisine while the chilesand curries bring Indian heat and spice to the menu too.

For example, start with the vegetarian samosas ($4), peri-peri pepper marinated chicken pops ($5.50) or seasoned fries ($3.95) baked in peri-peri sauce and topped with melted Cheddar cheese.

Next, we tried the steak wrap ($6.95!). We were shocked to discover a fresh whole wheat tortilla is filled with large cuts of marinated and tender slices of high-quality beef and grilled onions. The Boerewors sausage roti wrap is especially innovative with its slightly spicy sausage, fries (yes, fries inside the wrap!) and tomato "bredie" sauce, which is much like a spicy and sweet tomato-and-onion jam.

The whole roasted chicken ($9.95) is marinated and then grilled. The end result is a perfectly charred skin and terribly tender breast, legs and thighs.

Or, order the curry shrimp with vegetables ($9.75). Almost a dozen succulent shrimps are perfectly grilled and then given a generous ladle of flavorful and creamy curry sauce. The saffron rice is sublime as are the freshly-steamed broccoli and grilled red peppers. Add some peri-peri sauce to the mix and it gives the curry a real kick.

We are excited about trying more items such as the Maputo platters ($10-$13.95), which come with either peri-peri chicken or grilled prawns (or both!) and also include pineapple slaw, fries and black eyed peas.

The wine menu also sounds exciting (and cheap!) with South African varietals such as an Indaba Chardonnay ($5), a Fleur Du Cap Pinotage ($6), a Montevina Pinot Grigio ($5) and an Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon ($5). For those on a budget, get a domestic brew for just $3. With all the spicy food at Mozamique’s fast casual and to-go items, you’re gonna need some cold suds to cool your throat.

To order online, visit [url=http://www.mozambiqueperiperi.com]http://www.mozambiqueperiperi.com[/url]

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa.