Nina du Preez
Bravo Pizzeria Pretoria (Gauteng)
22-Feb-2012
Amazing! Best pizzas!
Stacey Warick
Beluga Cape Town (Western Cape)
22-Feb-2012
My fiance took me for a romantic dinner last night at Beluga. We decided to try their new Summer menu that was suggested by the waiter.
We had a three course meal for R220 each which my choice was the oysters, the beef Wellington and a delicious chocolate truffle dessert.
It was great value for money and the choices are fabulous.
We will be back to try out some of the other great choices.
Colleen conradie
Bistro on Rose Cape Town (Western Cape)
22-Feb-2012
Bistro on Rose - Awesome service and good food! Will be back for sure.
Adri
The Long Table Restaurant and Cafe Stellenbosch (Western Cape)
22-Feb-2012
My first visit was an invitation for a friends kitchen tea in November. Now I cannot stay away! My boyfriend took me to Long Table for Valentine's evening, and despite the power outage in the area, the staff carried on as if nothing was wrong, the food arrived, as delicious and well presented as always, and because of the lack of music (not missed in the beautiful surroundings) a friend of the staff arrived with his guitar to provide background music. There is a lot of love in this place; you can feel it when you arrive. Well done to chef Corli and her team. You are by far the most amazing restaurant in the Winelands. I cannot wait to be back...this weekend!
Jeremy Williams
Franschhoek Kitchen Franschhoek (Western Cape)
22-Feb-2012
Great experience.
Pieter Swart
Vovo Telo (Parkhurst) Johannesburg (Gauteng)
22-Feb-2012
A rude waitress coupled with a dry Lamb Burger did not make my dining experience in 'Joburg's Best New Restaurant of 2011' a happy one. It seems that people are visiting Vovo Telo to digest the cosmopolitan atmosphere - one that is out of place in Parkhurst - rather than the overpriced and oversimplified food. The bakery I have yet to try; perhaps it will change my tune.
Craig Demosthenous
La Campagnola Johannesburg (Gauteng)
22-Feb-2012
Overpriced Italian seems easy to find in Johannesburg at the moment. This was our first visit to La Campagnola and despite its lovely setting, we won't be making a second one. We were a table of three on a Saturday evening and were immediately treated to the overzealous rush of the waitering staff. Barely seated with menus in our hands, we were quickly told to order fast as there were big tables expected on the night.
Starters were at best adequate, including a focaccia for the table that bordered on dry and tasteless. Then came the mains... Scottish salmon that was admittedly well prepared, but at R150, the portion was ridiculously undersized. And then my order, the Linguine Olio Aglio Pereroncino e Gamberi, which was shocking. The 'prawns', or shrimp to be more accurate due to their size, were bad tasting and overcooked, not to mention having a bad smell to them. I instantly sent the dish back with the waiter sending the borderline unfriendly manager over. I was told that he'd "look into it", I then ordered another pasta dish which was adequate. The 'looking into it' was never explained to us and that was the last we saw of the manager. Dessert was not priced on the menu, but rather listed on a chalk board that was passed around by the waiters. All three of our orders were for the Banoffee pie and each of us were equally disappointed - all banana, no toffee nor caramel, and served on a Marie biscuit base - all pretty tasteless to say the least. It's only distinguishing factor was its price, R65 each... Needless to say, we won't be returning for a second visit. I'd warn anyone from visiting, unless you want an underwhelming meal and an overwhelming price - fine dining this restaurant certainly isn't.
Lex None
Bellevue cafe Durban (KwaZulu-Natal)
22-Feb-2012
It was disappointing to be honest. Very small portions. The food was well below expectations. The menu oversold everything. The R80 calamari main meal was so small, and served with some lonely chips. A "Bloody Mary with all the trimmings" arrived as straight tomato juice, and lacked pepper, tobasco, worchester, etc. It was bleak. I'll be hard-pressed to go again. A great space and vibe, but the food was such a let-down.
Marion Smith
Societi Brasserie Cape Town (Western Cape)
22-Feb-2012
Have been there twice, first time with a ladies group in the evening, some of whom took their own wine and paid corkage. We were even charged corkage on the non-alcoholic sparkling juice for the designated driver. Fish and Chips was awful, small and grey, the mushy peas were just squased peas with some vinegar (if you can't make it, don't put it on the menu. Walled garden is really an alleyway for deliveries.) Chicken dish was not cooked through. In all 6 meals, no-one was impressed. It's still busy with locals but that will wear off if they don't buck up.
Dita Du Plessis
Man'oushe Stellenbosch (Western Cape)
22-Feb-2012
After commenting to the waiter about putting out a blackboard to warn customers that nothing can be eaten there between 10am-12am, we and all the restaurant heard him say "These effing customers are hassling me about how stupid the kitchen times are!". This, while two tables (foreigners) sat down and got up again because there is nothing to eat!
Come on man!
Kira Noortman
As Greek as it Gets Cullinan (Gauteng)
22-Feb-2012
Had our first meal there in 2007 and was very impressed! Drive almost 100km for the great cullinary experience! Exciting food!
Jean Pierre Fotinidis
DW Eleven-13 Johannesburg (Gauteng)
22-Feb-2012
My Fiancé and I went to DW Eleven-13 last night, the 21st February 2012, to celebrate our fourth year anniversary. It truly was a remarkable evening, not only due to impeccable melt in your mouth food which made your taste buds dance with the extravagance of flavours, the respectable wines, the intimate yet refined atmosphere. We have to thank the entire group for making last night a truly memorable experience.
We have been to a couple of the top restaurants in Johannesburg, but DW Eleven-13 is by far the finest. The service is incomparable, the waitrons are well presented and profusely friendly. The managers continuously walk around to each individual table ensuring that you are satisfied throughout the entire meal. The staff go over and beyond, and give you that feeling of pure elegance.
The food from appetiser to dessert, the complimentary freshly baked flavoured breads to the home-made caramelised popcorn and mint marshmallows are truly unbelievable. Chef Marthinus Ferreira and kitchen staff bring a whole new concept and meaning to the South African food standards with his creations and taste sensations.
All I can honestly say is if you are in the mood for exquisite food and wine or just want to show your appreciation for the one you love, this is most definitely THE place to go. But be warned - you better book well in advance or perhaps you may just be one of the lucky few on the cancellations waiting list to receive that long awaited call.
Adrian Schmuker
The Restaurant at Waterkloof Somerset West (Western Cape)
22-Feb-2012
We had a perfect dinner.
Shelby Fischer
Fat Cactus (Gardens) Cape Town (Western Cape)
22-Feb-2012
This was a great dining experience. My hubby and I love this place. Staff were well versed in all aspects of the menu and super friendly and the food was out of this world!
Lee-Ann Schmidt
Spiro's Cape Town (Western Cape)
22-Feb-2012
Spiro's ticks all the boxes: The service is outstanding, the food is awesome, you can't beat the atmosphere, it's the most kid-friendly restaurant I have ever come across - they have a babysitter to watch the kids, dress-up, movies, jungle gym and the list goes on. Spiro's has become family and the restaurant a home away from home. I always feel comfortable, happy and well looked after when there and walk away with a smile on my face. We have all our parties there, kids and adults and most of our friends do to. A huge thumbs up for the best restaurant in town!
Geoffrey Whittlefield
Harbour House (Waterfront) Cape Town (Western Cape)
22-Feb-2012
During a recent visit to South Africa I had dinner at the newly opened Harbour House restaurant in Cape Town’s Waterfront. Upon arrival we were faced with a short(-ish) queue as the restaurant was seated to capacity and in full swing. We were greeted by a charming dark haired lady who graciously, and rather miraculously, changed our table for two (which we had reserved) for one that could accommodate a third person.
She seated us and handed out clean, leather-bound menus. The tables were covered in clean, freshly laundered linen, the table - and glassware were immaculately clean and polished. She offered a generously filled bowl of ciabatta while pouring olive oil and balsamic vinegar onto a central communal dipping plate. The bread (baked on the premises) was exceptionally good – open textured, soft and chewy with a light crisp crust. Our first disappointment of the evening was the inferior quality of both oil and vinegar. The oil was harsh and bitter; the vinegar too acidic.
Our waiter arrived immediately and introduced himself as Gabriel. We ordered a bottle each of still and sparkling water but declined his offer of pre-dinner drinks. The water (“Karroo” brand, in elegant glass bottles) arrived promptly. The sparkling was acceptable, while the still had an unpleasant metallic taste.
Our waiter then brought two large boards upon which the daily specials were chalked. One was neatly written, the other an untidy scrawl with a spelling mistake, which he corrected. His descriptions of the specials, especially the fish, were informative and entertaining.
For starters we chose gnocchi, the fish tartare and a dish of tempura prawns with tomato, avocado and aubergine. For main courses two of us chose fish (kingklip and yellowtail), the third opted for the Mozambican prawns.
Our waiter helped us select a suitable wine and we were impressed by his knowledge of both local and international wines. We decided on Sauvignon Blanc and chose a bottle of Springfield ‘Life from Stone’. The wine, when it eventually arrived (delivered and poured by a different waiter), did not disappoint. The wine’s temperature was perfect and the waiter served it flawlessly. The ice-bucket was rather novel – a sturdy transparent plastic bag, called a ‘Cool-de-sac’.
With its high ceiling, use of pale wooden beams, and glass ‘walls’ which slide away, the restaurant’s design deconstructs notions of ‘inside’ versus ‘outside’. There is an emphasis on spaciousness, and even though the restaurant is packed and buzzing, one gets a sense of the tranquility of a beach house. Unfortunately our waiter could tell us neither the name of the architect, nor the type of wood used in the construction.
Of the three starters the tempura prawns looked most appealing, although the batter was not nearly as light and crisp as a tempura. The taste combination of prawn, aubergine, tomato, avocado and basil mayonnaise worked well. The only disappointment was the aubergine base which was hard and unseasoned. The gnocchi (made on the premises) was superb. It had a delicious wood fire taste which did not overwhelm the other flavours. The Parmesan sauce was a winner. On the down side, the abundant garnish of curly slivers of fried/oven-dried butternut squash were tough and tasteless.
The fish tartare looked the least impressive: a small shaped mound in the centre of the plate surrounded by circles of mayonnaise sauce. It was, however, delicious. The flavours worked exceptionally well together and the only criticism I could deliver was that it lacked a bit of zing. Perhaps consider adjusting the lemon juice?
There unfortunately was a longish wait between courses. Our waiter explained that the restaurant was particularly busy at the moment and asked our patience. He was so polite and charming that we could not refuse. We were further impressed with the standard of service when the manager/hostess (?) who seated us also stopped by to inquire about our evening. After assuring us that our food would not take too long, she disappeared towards the kitchen. Our main courses arrived within minutes.
In terms of appearance, our main courses were less exciting than the starters. The plating of the prawns was particularly neglected: they arrived on a plate which in turn was carried on an unnecessarily large wooden plank-like board (utterly out of place and jarred with the upmarket, ‘urban-chic’ character of the restaurant). The prawns were accompanied by an entirely uninspired tomato salad which remained untouched. The prawns themselves were good though. Cooked to a turn and deliciously sauced with butter, garlic and chilli.
Both the fish dishes were perfectly grilled, and arrived on warm plates. The kingklip was accompanied by a rustic potato dauphinoise and vegetables cooked exactly al dente. The basil sauce accompaniment was tasty although perhaps too intense and rich for the delicate fish.
The yellowtail came with mashed potatoes (disappointing), and slightly underdone green beans. Best on the plate was a creative combination of Japanese mayonnaise and salsa verde, a harmonious foil for this fish.
Deciding to head off to our second destination for the night, we declined dessert and coffee.
Portion sizes were neither too small nor overly large: a three course meal would satisfy a good appetite. Except for the two main fish dishes, the prices (according to our Capetonian), were a bit steep. However when considering the ambience, the spectacular setting and excellent service, I felt it was money well spent. I shall certainly recommend Harbour House and look forward to another visit.
Richard Van Dorp
Kyoto Garden Sushi Cape Town (Western Cape)
21-Feb-2012
I have been coming to Kyoto since the beginning and still get that fresh enjoyment, free relaxation and peacefulness.
Brian Williams
La Romantica (Somerset West) Somerset West (Western Cape)
21-Feb-2012
Got up and left today at lunchtime after 10 minutes and no service, despite the place being almost empty...
Kate Mathews
Kyoto Garden Sushi Cape Town (Western Cape)
21-Feb-2012
My partner and I also enjoyed our Valentine's evening at Kyoto.
Choosing a restaurant for Valentine's Day - “What a mission.”
Except when you enter Kyoto Garden Sushi in Tamboerskloof.
The atmosphere is 100% romantic and may I add a big dash of sexy. From the precision staff to the gracious host. Flowers on every table! There must have been 30 couples served with Valentine's desecration. We were given among many other treats salmon roses made from wild red sockeye salmon and Norwegian Orange salmon and we were also given complementary edamame.
Thanks for making this Valentine's one to remember!
Drumbreat Charters
Fresh at Paul Cluver Wine Estate Elgin (Western Cape)
21-Feb-2012
Joan opened her lovely restaurant for our end of year function one evening last month. The food was better than I can remember eating in a long time. Every mouth full was amazing. Her food is full of taste. The wine was also fabulous and worth mentioning at a great price. I really cannot recommend this little hidden gem more. You get much much more than you pay for which is hard to find. I intend to visit whenever I can.
