Everyone who is anyone in food knows Sam Smallshaw, the blonde rocket who runs Surf Riders Cafe and is the unofficial Mayor of South Beach. Sam knows everyone, everything and is a font of information on all things food.

It has been wonderful watching Sam take a simple surfing-inspired eatery and transform it into a destination restaurant.

Surf Riders Cafe has something for everyone, from poke bowls to sushi to pizza to amazing burgers, as well as some heavier meaty fare.

Inevitably there’s a queue to get in and the wait can be considerable, but worth it, and if you are a special child and eat your veggies, Sam will favour you with one of her inventions and concoctions.

Her cappy is a delight to the palate. I loved the whole experience except for the gale force winds blowing outside. I had to move indoors before I lost my notebook and sunglasses. Surf Riders has a cute little BLUE biscotti reminiscent of a certain blue pill with superlative powers…. ’nuff said, but I found it cute.

At one point during my visit, the promenade outside was awash with Zulu dancers – all very good and well unless you happen to be Zulu and looking for quiet conversation, not the pulse of beating drums, but I guess the tourists love them.

Awesome staff, awesome venue, awesome food, awesome coffee, awesome Sam. Keep it up, guys. Not a good Wi-Fi connection.

Dennis Ngxongo