27 Jan | Mariana's, Stanford Mariana's.
12 Du Toit Street, Stanford. 028 341 0272. Thursday to Sunday lunch only.
If there is one serious problem with Ma...more
25 Jan | Lemon-Butta, Hermanus Many of us think that franchise restaurants tend to default to lower common demoninators, and many of them are indeed in the busin...more
Consistently good | By Craig | Saturday, 28 January 2012
I have frequented Signature several times over the last year.
The bar is very relaxed, with good quality wines by the glass and light meals also available. The couches and good music make it a great place to meet business colleagues after work for a drink.
The restaurant hasa good ambiance, tastefully decorated in a contemporary style. It is frequented by a diverse group of people which makes "people watching" very interesting.
Food is very good, great emphasis on shell fish. It was heartening to see a Jozi restaurant offering line fish other than Sole, Kingklip, Scottish Salmon or Sea Bass. These were (of course) all available, but I chose the Cape Salmon which was cooked to perfection.
The accompaniments were scant - 4 very small potatoes.
The only suggestion for improvement would be to expand the menu to offer some vegetarian options.
Wine list is comprehensive, with excellent choices priced in line with other establishments offering these wines.
Service is excellent - watched over by proprietor Des.
Always good | By FIona | Saturday, 28 January 2012
This restaurant is just so consistently good. I have been eating there almost weekly for the last 2 months and cannot fault the food. The carpaccios are always good whether fish or beef. I mostly have the rosemary grilled fillet which is some of the best beef to be had in Cape Town. While I don't like the rattling off of the menu in heavily accented English (I always get the giggles) I know that it is popular with other diners and the fact that the chef gets to all the diners personaly is remarkable. This place does simple food really well. Deceptively well, which may leave some people feeling underwhelmed. I however love knowing that the food will always be simple and good, not something to be taken for granted in Cape Town.
Don't buy into the hype | By FIona | Saturday, 28 January 2012
Nobu is okay. It is cetainly not the best sushi in Cape Town or the best exampe of Japanese food either. I would say that Kyoto Gardens has that honour. For the price I expect a lot more. We had the 8 course chef's tasting menu and while the black cod miso was remarkable, the other white fish dishes were not great. I repeatedly asked our numerous waiters to explain what we were eating with limited success. I was told the one dish had salmon in it which it did not, that the white fish sushi was kinglip (which I have never eaten raw before, maybe it was?) and had the desert described as an ice cream fondant, when it was in fact a chocolate fondant. Nobody could exlain what the red sauce on the beef was. It ended up overwhelming the food and was too rich with the foie gras topping the beef. I'm splitting hairs, but we were paying R895 a head for this experience. A similiar priced meal at "The tasting room" last month was infinintly better.
Breezy, Shady...............Cool and Tasty!!!!! | By Graham | Friday, 27 January 2012
What a great spot to have a breakfast/brunch. Great cuisine served in a really relaxing and friendly atmosphere.
Headed up by Joanie, she has a great touch for detail and producing tasty suculent meals, with super fresh salads from the adjacent well kept garden. A must to try for all!!!
You won't be sorry! Joan sources fresh ingredients from the magnificent vintage vegetable garden, which perfectly compliments the simple, but very tasty food which she serves in a magnificent setting.
A great breakfast in the country | By Sandy | Friday, 27 January 2012
Coming from Joeies, I popped in with a friend of mine while driving around the Grabou area and stopped at a delightful spot called Fresh. We had a wonderful breakfast off the beaten track and I really enjoyed my breakfast. Coffee was fab and the breakfast was fantastic. Simple, fresh, well presented and what an awesome setting.
Always a pleasure | By Zoe | Friday, 27 January 2012
Locals to this area, one could question whether we go for an always delicious meal or to see a friendly face. Well its for both, an unpretentious setting in a beautiful working wine farm and Joans cooking are a match made in heaven. Two of my favourites are the Toastie (you have to go and order it, Im not giving anything away) and the Mandalay Chicken Salad. Her breakfasts are fabulous, great cappuccinos, or go for a lazy Capetonian lunch and share a bottle,or two, of Paul Cluver wine with some friends in the garden setting. If you are zooming along the N2 its seriously worth it to stop for a while and visit Fresh @ Paul Cluvers.
Delicious simple farm food | By Sandra | Thursday, 26 January 2012
The name Fresh says it all, fresh, simple ingredients which are turned into the most delicious dishes by Joan and her team. We have never gone wrong at Fresh and besides the food, the service and ambience are also top of the game.
SALVATION CAFE | By Louise | Monday, 23 January 2012
Had a wonderful lunch with friends on Saturday. Fish cakes to die for, my friends had the ceaser salad which they polished. Great friendly service. It was a magic afternoon.
Restaurant silent killer: the over-attentive waiter | By Colin | Sunday, 22 January 2012
Ritrovo warrants a visit once in a while - certainly one of the finer establishments in Pretoria.
Food ranged from the standard pastas and pizzas, to some more meaty options. Specials of kidneys or tripe gave more adventurous diners something different.
In general the standard of the food was high with some finer touches.
The menu warns that pasta is served al dente, the correct way, which is firmer than what is usual in South Africa. Unfortunately this was not the case, as it was quite overcooked.
The wine list offered a good selection, catering for everybody's budget and taste.
But Ritrovo is unfortunately victim of the incentivised waiter. Theory is, the better the service, the more people spend, the bigger the tab, the commission and the tip. Reality is often, the more you force down the guests' throats, the bigger the tab, the commission and sometimes the tip. Strangely this is more common at restaurants with white tablecloths and Riedel glasses.
As we sat down, waiters descended on the table, opening bottles of mineral water nobody ordered, filling glasses.
Wine service was over-attentive. I got the feeling that the waiter was trying to get as much wine as possible into the glass and my body. After a sip or two the glasses were topped-up. As soon as the bottle was empty (not finished), the waiter was there to ask whether I wantedd to order another.
Ordering an espresso was followed by the question, "Is that a double espresso?"
Overall a good dining experience - I just wish the waiters were not as pushy.
I will probably be back, but will tell the waiter before we sit down that I want to set the pace of my drinking. It should not be necessary for a guest to tell the waiter who is in charge.
Amazing Experience in South-Africa | By Marne | Sunday, 22 January 2012
Soon to be the number one restaurant in Gauteng. Every meal is the creative genius of new Executive Chef Maryna Wolfaardt. The most romantic setting for a Valentines dinner.
Some intimacy in Jozi's Sandton | By Craig | Saturday, 21 January 2012
TM is located in a strip of peculiar shops close to the heart of generally sterile Sandton. It is a nice bistro serving a wide range of European food..
They try to be eclectic with the decor, a little too contrived in my view.
Menu contains limited choice of generally well received dishes.
Wine list is good.
Service is excellent, proprietor and his staff very attentive.
Reasonable value for money.
The Travelling menu | By Cheryl | Saturday, 21 January 2012
The Gypsy Cafe at 87 Station Road in Observatory is a great place to spend an evening. The food is probably the best that I have tasted in Obz and the owner/management team are friendly and welcoming. The decor is great and reflects a true Gypsy experience. There is a comprehensive a la carte menu, but they have different dishes from the country that they have chosen to 'visit' in that month. We were there for Italy... We look forward to going back again next month to see which country the Gypsies will be visiting next.
Among Jozi's best | By Craig | Saturday, 21 January 2012
David Higgs has made the transition from Stellenbosch to Sandton effortlessly.
His new gig is chic, but one can't quite help but notice its hotel roots - high ceilings & TV screens on the bar wall in the distance. Not quite Rust en Vrede, but this said, he has made the most of what he has to work with and overall it is a nice venue.
Service is good, substantially better than when we last dined there. Staff are sincere and with some additional training, I would rate the service as excellent.
David's food is consistently excellent. Limited menu choices which are excellent in their combination of creativity, freshness and simplicity.
Wine choices are very good and like the food, reasonably priced.
Birthday Celebration lunch! | By Caroline | Friday, 20 January 2012
We have been to this venue regularly over the past six years for a family birthday lunch. Buffet excellent. Wines likewise. However the service appears to be struggling.
Maybe the place was busy, but not full on Monday lunchtime.
But wine and water did not flow quite fast enough. A great time was had by all regardless of this.
One visit was not enough! | By Caroline | Friday, 20 January 2012
We agree with you that the pizzas are the best in the country, and in this (UK) country too! So good we visited twice during our 20 day stay in the Cape. Massimo and Tracey are the perfect hosts - friendly, welcoming etc.
We loved the pasta and the pizza. Corkage R35
Off the main drag! | By Caroline | Friday, 20 January 2012
This is a charming venue, hidden from view with its own spectacular views. A good menu and naturally a very good wine list. We all sampled the six starters for lunch very successfully. Service A1 too. Seating outside around the herb and salad/veg garden gives this otherwise sophisticated place a relaxed feel.
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