When the first Ocean Basket restaurant opened its doors in 1995, South Africa had just held its first democratic elections. The air was charged with optimism and apprehension. And now, the delicious smell of seafood too. Fats Lazarides, saw an opportunity to create something that customers were calling a restaurant that served delicious affordable seafood. In those days the restaurant included a fresh fish deli. Seafood restaurants were reserved for the upper crust, and a portion of prawns was a real extravagance. But Fats had always been one to swim against the current.