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Best Seafood in Lagos?

Ocean Basket has closed the Tiamiyu Savage location and moved to 35 Akin Adesola St, Victoria Island, Lagos

Ocean Basket

1392 Tiamiyu Savage Street. Victoria Island, Lagos.

0816 059 1821

NOSA: Did you know Ocean Basket isn't just a Nigerian thing? It's actually a South African franchise. Oh, you knew? Well, no one is talking to you, smartass!

FOLLY: After a failed attempt to eat at the Lagos Grill Fest last Sunday, Nosa and I decided to revisit Ocean Basket, because despite having visited here a couple of times we had never actually reviewed it for the blog. 

Thankfully, it hasn’t fallen off yet. 

NOSA: I'm still burnt Grill Fest was a disappointment. I was so ready to drink myself silly and eat my body weight in bbq, but alas, it wasn't meant to be.

FOLLY: We were trying to day drink on Sunday, so we ordered a pair of Strawberry Daiquiris to start as there were no margs on the menu. 

It was overwhelmingly sweet and I don’t think there was up to a single shot of rum in it. It also took forever to come. Thank God, I had red wine in Nosa’s trusty flask to refuel. Wait, before you judge me the flask was intended for the Grill Fest.

FOLLY: Since we were also trying to be greedy, instead of going for the modestly sized Platter for Two, we went for the Solemate, cause you know life is short …

NOSA: Hey! You reading this. That thought you just had. No. 

FOLLY: The Solemate platter consists of 18 Prince Prawns, 2 Calamari Heads, Calamari Rings, Mussels, and Jollof Rice AND Fries.

...and yes we ate it ALL.

NOSA: I thought the calamari rings were absolutely fantastic. You can definitely make the argument that Ocean Basket has the best calamari in Lagos. Seriously, just think about it. Sounds a bit funny because it's a franchise, but I don't think you'll find better calamari anywhere.

The calamari head on the other hand...

FOLLY: Calamari head is like a tough fish fillet. You know how hard it is to bite into a piece of calamari and so you just have to usually take it in one go - or is that just me? This was even difficult to cut into using a knife. I don't know if this is characteristic of calamari head in general or how it was made at Ocean Basket. 

NOSA: It's a better idea on paper than it is in reality. A large slab of calamari, what could possibly go wrong? Well, a lot. It's way too much calamari per sq-ft. All your excitement is done in your second bite when it becomes tedious. It's almost like a punishment for your greed. Greed isn't always good, Mr. Gekko

FOLLY: I'm just going to stick to calamari rings and strips going forward. 

NOSA: Agreed. Calamari OD.

FOLLY: The prawns were very well seasoned, and a bajillion times better than those at Coral Blue

NOSA: Please can we not talk about that disaster. I just want to leave it in the past.

FOLLY: The Jollof rice was a pleasant surprise; it was like smoked party rice.

While a spanish type rice or even fried rice may have complemented the meal better, the Jollof was so well made that I can't even complain. 

NOSA: Exactly! This surprised me as well. Maybe they adjusted it to fit the Nigerian palette and it's such a good call. You can never lose with party rice. 

The fries, on the other hand, were pretty meh and needed salt. Largely forgettable, just like the mussels.

FOLLY: Last time we were here, our waitress recommended the sticky toffee pudding as dessert. It was my first time having it and I loved it. However, I was way too full this time to have it again. So sad. 

POSTSCRIPT

FOLLY: Ocean Basket might be the only decent seafood restaurant we have in Lagos. And for a coastal city, I think that's a godamm shame. I've never been here as an individual but I think the prices are great for groups. 

NOSA: As much as it pains me to admit, Ocean Basket is probably the best seafood in Lagos. For a coastal city, it's a bit of a shame we can't get anything better than a soulless franchise. Food-Industrial Complex, guys. Fight the power!

DAMAGE

Solemate Platter - N8750

Strawberry Daquiri - N2000