CAPE TOWN
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CAPE TOWN
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RATING CHART.
No Star, We wouldnt go there
EVER.
If there is no star or image it means that we are not prepared to comment and will will review later to give them a chance. _______________________________________ FOR PAST REVIEWS ON OTHER RESTAURANTS, PLEASE EMAIL US. __________________________ The following Resties have been reviewed. For the Review of each, go through the categories and click on the links provided. Note that with Franchise operations as the menus and costs are all the same the review only handles a cross section and looks at consistency, quality of food and service excellance. Some establishments have been revisited during the Xmas season. For past reviews or if you need info on any establishment please email us. DUE TO CONSUMER DEMAND WE WILL IN 2004 BE MOVING INTO TYGERVALLEY, CLAREMONT, MUIZENBURG AND ELSEWHERE. ____________________________ LIST OF UPDATED RESTY'S (Click on the one you want to visit) SAIGON
– VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT –
PARANGA
RESTAURANT –
JAIPUR
PALACE - THE
NOSE a Wine Bar at the Cape Quarter, Dixon Street. Green Point.
OLIVE
STATION Deli & Expresso bar YAB YUM. Canal Walk Cape
Town.
RISTORANTE
POSTICINO. Sea Point. Pizza/Pasta/Family;
CAFFE
MAGIFICO Canal Walk
Coffee shop.Quality dropping and no value.
HOUSE
OF COFFEES Canal Walk. Coffee shop light
good meals; BORRUSO'S Pizza/Pasta/Family.
MANNENBERGS.
V&A Waterfront Jazz Music Venue/Traditional African/Burgers
etc
WILLOUGBY
& CO. V& A Waterfront Fishy/Sushi
bar;
THE
HAPPY WOK Chinese/oriental
type;
GAYLORDS.
Muizenburg. Indian;
CASA
DE MAR. Table View;
TARKARIS.
Main Road Sea Point. Indian;
DINER. HALAAL INDIAN CUISINE. Sea Point. Indian;
KOREAN RESTAURANT. 42 Chiappini St. Greenpoint. OCEAN BASKETS. Each "basket" reviewed individually. THE SPURS GROUP Each Steakhouse reviewed individually. CATTLE BARON TABLE VIEW - Each shop reviewed individually. WIMPY Each shop reviewed individually.
ST ELMOS WOODFIRED PIZZERIA,
WOODBRIDGE ISLAND, MILNERTON –
BAK MEI. Chinese take-away. Sunset Beach.
TONG LOK Chinese take aways. Ok to visist if you are in need of Chinese. ______________________________
PARANGA
RESTAURANT –
Camps Bay – Tel: 021 438 0404 - visited on
3/03/2004 Excellent The ambience is just perfect, from were we
sat you could see the beach and sea. They also have a Sushi Bar. The staff
are all helpful and friendly and go the extra mile to make sure all
patrons are happy. The general manager David East was on hand
to answer any queries and over see that all was running smoothly. We were a table of 3
- Starters, Greek Salad for the table and a
Calamari Starter For Main course we had (every dish looked
and smelt incredible, I was lucky enough to have a mouthful of each dish)
Line fish, Norwegian Salmon and a Risotto. The 3 of use thoroughly enjoyed
our meals. With drinks the bill came to R362-00. I would like to give them 5 stars but under
our policy can only do that after the next visit. This Restaurant is highly recommended. _______________________________
SAIGON
– VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT –
Cnr Kloof and Camp Street – res. 021 424
7669 - visited on 4/03/2004 Excellent In November last year this restaurant under
went a facelift, which I must comment on as the transformation is truly
amazing and has added to the ambience. They have added a Sushi Bar and
Roof Terrace. This is one of those restaurants were one should book in
advance as it is always busy no matter what day of the week.
The staff are all helpful and friendly and go the extra mile to
make sure all patrons are happy. We were a table of 5
- Starters, Grilled Chicken on a Skewer,
Vegetarian Spring Rolls, Chicken Spring Rolls, Pork Spring Rolls and
Banana Blossom Salad. The reviewer definitely can vouch for the
vegetarian spring rolls; the banana blossom salad is something different
and worth a try. For Main course we had 2x Saigon Fish with
Ginger (very tasty), Chicken Curry with Lemon Grass, 2x BBQ Duck, Noodle
Sprouts and Sticky Rice For dessert Chocolate Mouse, Flambé Ice Cream and Fried Bananas with Ice
Cream. (Good idea to share as one just has to leave room for these, a must
if you have a sweet tooth) With drinks the bill came to R672-00. I can’t wait to revisit and highly
recommend.
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1ST Flr.Lifestyles on Kloof; 50 Kloof Street; Gardens, Cape Town. Tel (021) 4220900. email gitoo@jaipur.co.za MARCH 2004.
What can I write this time??????? Perhaps only 1 word. EXCELLENT;
The owner really did not give me any chance to get into complain mode. I had the buffet – more food than could possibly be eaten for R85 per person, and this included sambols and salads; smalls; a choice of 4 x curry dishes; and a pudding choice; This is a vegetarians haven and all food is Halaal. Supposedly if I could fault them on anything it would be that perhaps they should add coffee as an extra to the buffet. The service was gentle and very professional; The style of the place lush and elegant. If you folk out there want an excellent meal and service, give them a call and tell Gitoo that we have recommended you. I would like to give them 5 stars but under our policy can only do that after the next visit Gitoo Kassen, thank you. I will be back next week. _______________________________
THE NOSE a Wine Bar at the Cape Quarter, Dixon Street. Green Point. Cathy and Kevin have chosen a
unique spot in Cape Town being the Cape Quarter - a shopping Centre of
sorts specially orchestrated for a niche market. Their manager, Bernadette
supervises everything with a super, personal touch. Specialising in good wines and
a different cuisine, the resty is well run and the staff are extremely
helpful, friendly and professional. Sitting outside with a
Continental waterfall, the ambiance is distinctly "European" and
the food is excellent. We were served by Philip who
was always available when needed but unobtrusive. 4 persons tried different
dishes - one had an Eastern Promise (with spring rolls, dip and satays);
one had a Mediterranean with samoosas, dip and satays; one had a fully
vegetarian main course and I tried the Napo Pasta. With drinks and cappuccinos
the bill came to R303-00 with the tip. Although we will need to
revisit as usual, this establishment is well recommended.
OLIVE
STATION Deli & Expresso bar 165 Main Rd.Muizenberg. (rh) SECOND VISIT - I cannot go along with 3 stars on this place. The owners need to dig deep into themselves to serve proper food and in proportion to their costs.
Started and owned by Judy and
Mike Haddad - Mediterranean and Vegetarian Food. Coming from Joburg, Mike
wanted to get into Olive making and the couple started this resty which
also boasts a small shop selling Mediterranean delicacies such as Mikes
freshly made olives and imported chocolates, halva etc. At the resty,3
people ordered - the lady had a Mezze which she found wonderful, the child
and gentleman ordered what they believed to be a Falafel with pita that
turned out to be a tasty but miniscule pita stuffed with crushed chick
peas at a whopping R22 each. ie - if hungry then I would never order this
pita again until the content is changed. I found the waitron extremely
"unhappy" and gave me the impression that she was not happy
working there and she had no concept of how to serve a Turkish coffee. But
then I am not an easy human to please, if I was then reviews would
never be written. In contrast, both Mike and Judy are most wonderful and
approachable people, easy to chat with and happy to accept criticism.
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YAB YUM. Canal Walk Cape Town.
We were sent there by esteemed "Mr.J" Owners Pim & Lorna Gerrese
have done much to introduce a continental flavour and ambiance to their
resty. The waitrons have been selected very carefully and wisely and the
establishment plays good quality music all the time. In the smokers
section, 2 television sets high up on the back wall are linked to various
television channels - although I am of the view that these sets should be
lowered. The staff are extremely friendly, courteous and attentive. Often,
they are chatty. The whole atmosphere is one of sublime friendliness.
There is a full bar and the resty also seats patrons between the
escalators. The food is good and the sevice excellent although they do
seem to get flustered when busy. It is a resty that is well worth the
visit either for a coffee/light snack or a good and wholesome meal.
Pricing is excellent and there is indeed value for money. This is the top
resty for December 2003. Well done Pim and Lorna. We will need to review
again ater the festive season
TONG
LOK Chinese take away. . These shops are ok if you really are in need of Chinese and at least some of their staff speak English. They also accept credit cards. Portions are large and they have set aside a Sushi space. So...I suppose they do try. Would have given them 2 stars but will give them the benefit of the doubt until after the Xmas Season. ______________________________ SIMPLY DELICIOUS
555
2647. 6 June 2003. Centrecourt, 424 Koeberg Road. Milnerton.(3) XMAS SEASON 2003 - Went there for a revisit. The have been going for a year. They do run out of food, but suppose that shows popularity. Still good for a visist and no changes to the review below.
Here is a hubby and wife team taking the plunge to TRY and give food of quality to the public. The lady does all (or most) of all the cooking and hubby appears to look after front of house. Their daughter also seems to lend a hand - she was there on the night reviewed. It is in reality an order and takeout joint and they aim for family orientated foods - pastas; stews; pies; roasts etc but it was well worth the review. I have so far personally tried the cottage pie, the chicken pie, the lasagna, and the curry and rice. They made that extra effort just to get me a fresh roti to have with my curry. The helpings are a little too small for my liking in relation to their costs. But there is no doubt that the food is quality and the service from the owning family excellent. I wish them the best of luck and really hope that the community support them. Not only do they deserve this support for taking the huge risk of opening this resty, they deserve support because they serve quality, wholesome foods. Thank you to the owners. It has been a pleasure doing this review. _________________________________________ __________________________________ THE ULTIMATE EATING EXPERIENCE APRIL/MAY 2003. RISTORANTE POSTICINO. Reviewed 17 MAY 2003
3 Albany Mews, 323 Main Road, Sea Point. Tel:4394014. (reviewer. 3) Ok,
its 23h15 on a Saturday night in Cape Town and me with this unenviable
task of writing a review on this restaurant. What do I say this time??????
The place was too good to be true. Indeed, the best establishment I have
reviewed for some time. It
was early in the afternoon that I was informed of a booking to Ristorante
Postocino – in little Lagos nog al (Sea Point to the uninitiated) a
prospect I did not relish. Yet another one of those “I AM A ZOOTY PLACE
TO BE SEEN AT NUMBERS” I thought. And in my trustee gray Japanese
tin can I went, taking my daughter with me (always pick her brains
when I can as being 12 she gives me an honest review) to fetch a senior
couple from Omo Land (Australia to be more precise) who had arrived that
afternoon. “WOE IS ME” was my belief, so much so that when I walked
in, the tension inside was steaming….and my scathing review already
worked out. The table booked for 20h30 was not ready and this young lady
nonchalantly showed us to another table
for a party of 8. “Right, now I was getting into the mood….just
what I needed to brighten up my dull little life, another resty I could
attack with alleged poor service.” Boy! Was I wrong. And this place was
….well just fantastic I
met the owner, Enrico a very joyous and amazing host. A man with a zest
for life and a professional approach to please his patrons. The waitron
Claire was unbelievable. A very lovely and charming young lady ( a real
Miss South Africa Miss Congeniality). Nothing was too much trouble. I gave
her a rough time and she handled it with ease.The food was excellent.
Certainly not one of those joints that serve like teaspoon full
helpings. My Spaghetti Boilyournoise with plain pita was out of this
world; My daughter had a pizza (eat your hearts out that family pizza
chain -) beautifully prepared; Our guests had the Veal and 2 x pastas.
Excellent cuisine. Claire was subliminal in the background, ever so
quietly clearing up without anyone noticing. And all this for LESS cost
than the equivalent at the local family franchise places. Service
– 100% Cost 100% food 100%
ENRICO YOU DESERVE TO BE PATRONISED BY EVERYONE. You have certainly made a
customer out of me and I will be proud to take other foreign guests to
your resty. Just make sure Claire serves us.
Thank you. You
out there in Cyberland, if you want a gr8 resty with excellent food and
service, do yourselves a favour and call Enrico. _______________________________________ WILLOUGBY & CO. V & A WATERFRONT Reviewed 3 May 2003.(lw)
XMAS SEASON 2003 - Too busy, prices too high. PITY. Following review stands.
Although clearly one of "the places to be seen at", this reviewer is of the opinion that the owners / managers need to upgrade their service, their food and their people skills.2 Calamaris ordered, one without Garlic. There was no white bread available. A second waitron removedthe salt from the table and this was never returned until it was requested. After a 29 minute wait, another employee had the ordered foodand walked (I knew it was for my table but clearly he did not - interesting style of management) around the resturant trying to find us. Both plates came with Garlic and about 6 chips on each plate at a cost of R49.95 each. Not impressed with the quality and quantity. __________________________________
MANNENBERGS
(By clock Tower)
V & A WATERFRONT. 18 May 2003 (rh) Nice enough place if you are into live jazz music, a bit of a dance (depending upon the artists performing) and basic reasonable foods. CAUTION.....THERE IS A COUVERT CHARGE. A bit noisy and if you are not into discussion at your table that's fine. Service is efficient and friendly enough but the place is really targeted at the foreign tourist as opposed to locals. I found the cost of a burger at R30 and unorthodox curry at R45 a bit too steep for the quantity served although it was tasty. Big, wide and open it is very airy and there is an outside balcony for smokers overlooking the Clock Tower and the V&A area. I noticed this huge, obvious muscular gent dressed in black with a black leather jacket hovering round the balcony area for the 3 hours I was there leading me to believe he was "security" but at the same time a young lady stayed glued to him. Interesting to say the least. Am personally not into jazz but would like to review the place again later in the year. If you are a jazz lover, this appears to be a reasonable venue.
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HAPPY
WOK
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TABLE VIEW May 2003 Yes ok, I suppose I can be bought. Take me to a restaurant that is extremely well managed, with an excellent vibe and service and that consistently provides well cooked and delicious meals...... and indeed yes, I will recommend it officially and personally. This place is always full and deservedly so. I cannot fault the place and all congratulations to the owner/manager. He is a wonderful host- nothing is ever too much and he bends over backwards to please his patrons. This makes a gr8 difference. |
CANAL WALK Dec 2003 The "please wait to be seated" scenario does tend to annoy me and it gives the distinct impression of "you should thank us for being here" syndrome - depending on how it is implemented of course. Well!!! at this resty the attitude is just that. All due respect to the Greek gentleman who is on duty at most times as he certainly gives an otherwise dull and lifeless resty some bizazz and colour. I would go back because the food is good and the Greek Manager is an exceptional host. Good place to have a fish dish at anal Walk. |
CITY KLOOF ST June 2003 Another one of those that I would only go to if I had no choice. Service is slow and the staff are always too busy to attend to their duties. The lack of parking at night, especially in an area I consider dark and potentially dangerous, forcing would be patrons to walk to the venue exacerbates my belief to avoid this restaurant where possible. Food is ok, but they do tend to take too long to get it to the table. This is a far cry from what it used to be with a different owner and his family who have since opened a coffee shop. Pity. |
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THE
SPURS . We
have had numerous emails from patrons in Durban and Cape Town mostly
complaining about the falling standards of food and services at
various Spur Steak Ranches and the fact that the Steak Ranches
themselves differ greatly from each other in quality and service. There
seems to be concurrence that Spur Head office should set about more
(or better training) for their shop managers and waitrons and that
more head office inspections should be conducted of each store.
Perhaps their Ops and IR departments should call on professional
outsiders to both properly train store personnel and to conduct
random inspections. The variance of food and products between Spur
shops has become a source of confusion for patrons especially
concerning the size of burgers and steaks; the quantity of chips on
the plate and in particular, the salad valley from store to store
which is often so different that it leads one to believe
that the independent Spur shops are not part of the Spur
group at all but different restaurants. Consumers have remarked in
emails if the “owners” of the Spur actually know about this? We
are not sure of the reasons for the problems encountered by patrons
and will place a copy of this article before their head office with
a request for reply, which we will publish. |
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TOMAHAWK SPUR Voortrekker Rd Goodwood. Tel 591
8815 FEB 2004 (LWL)
Excellent little Spur, friendly and very efficient. Really appreciated the kitchen and "back room" staff especially Celina. Waitron great.Salad excellent. Duty manager on 23/1/04 at 17h00 - hey "just chill man"Dont be so serious. |
OBSERVATORY SPUR in that new centre next to
Groote Schuur.
Not bad. Service friendly enuff but a tad slow and food not bad. Aircons were not working when we were there as the place was extremely hot. But still, not a bad Spur to visit if you are in the area and need a qickie. |
IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS, QUERIES AND REVIEWS OF YOUR OWN FOR ANY SPUR PLEASE EMAIL US HERE. |
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CAPE
TOWN CITY SPUR. Dec 2003 4234537 (rh) Peter, YOU ARE LOSING YOUR EDGE. Service level is excellent but dropping. However, you are still a fantastic host and an exemplary ambassador for the Spur Group. The service and food at this Steak Ranch are good. It is a pleasure going into the city to have a meal at this Spur. Spur Ops department should use you as an example.
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SEA POINT April 2003 (rh)Arthur Road, Sea Point. Tel 4341732
Reasonable service and food. Salad Valley leaves a great deal to be desired. While there, 2 salad bowls were missing and never replaced.
Staff do tend to play around and joke with each other a little too much which is not altogether a bad thing as it does help to create a friendly atmosphere, but it does get tedious. Perhaps this is a mark of the Spur. A good all round family restaurant and recommended.
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MILNERTON Dec 2003 (3) Centre Court Koeberg Rd.
Gordon, you have made a giant leap into being a top resty. KEEP IT UP AND WELL DONE. If you are in Milnerton, stop by at this Spur. It is well worth a visit and deserves the FULL SUPPORT of the community.
I will certainly be going back in my private capacity.
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CENTURY
CITY April 2003 (lwl) 5518683
It was a privelage to enter this Spur.
While I agree that perhaps Gary should incorporate a better salad
selection, the food and service are excellent. Staff are switched
on and do everything they can to please. Was happy to report same
to their Head Offices.Well done to this Spur.
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INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Feb
2004.
(mc and 3) HAVE RECEIVED 4 COMPLAINTS. The writer will never go back to this Spur until something is done. We suggest that all patrons do the same. Refer to complaints page.Click Here We hope the management of this Spur reads this review and steps up their efficiency. |
GOODWOOD. N1 CITY MALL. Jan
2004 (lwl)
Not a bad little Spur. Very family orientated and good vibes. Service and quality good. Would say this is one of the better Spurs to visit.
Could be a little faster with service though. but staff friendly enough and food is fine.
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TABLEVIEW
ATHENS ROAD April 2003 (rh) Lovely venue, excellent views. AA site with gr8 potential.We have done a review on this one during 2002. Service was extremely poor at that time. It does not seem to have improved much but have been told that a new Manager came in from Gauteng so would prefer to give him time to stamp his authority. Will revisit in May/June and review then.
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TABLEVIEW
BAYSIDE CENTRE April
2003 (rh) 5579879. Saddled between an excellent coffee shop and the usual Pizza Parlour (part of Spurs) there is no entrance to speak of. The shop is huge. Salad valley excellent. Service a little slow but quality not bad. Worth a quickie visit if you are at the center and need a bite. Staff could use a bit of training though especially on people skills.
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AS THEY CONSIDER THEMSELVES THE "FAMILY STEAK HOUSE" WE WILL REVIEW A FEW MORE SPURS WATCH THIS SPACE. |
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CATTLE BARON
TABLE VIEW - DATE REVIEWED: 07/04/2002
TEL: (021) 557 4165 HOSTS: KEN & DES CARLO.RIETTE & NIEL.
desken@mweb.co.za
NEEDS A NEW REVIEW WHICH WE WILL BE DOING JAN 2004.
Full
order for 4 adults, three children consisting of five large rump steaks, a
line fish and a kiddie’s burger as well as a few beers, Smirnoff ice,appletisers
and cool drinks. Total bill
four seven people came to R456.85. EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE and EXCELLENT FOOD.
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We will only do a cross section of franchise operations. Its
pointless covering each as an individual.
IS THERE A WIMPY THAT YOU WANT TO TELL US ABOUT? THEN EMAIL US HERE. |
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ST ELMOS WOODFIRED PIZZERIA, WOODBRIDGE ISLAND, MILNERTON –
REVIEWED
– TEL (021) 551 66328
Arguably
the best Franchise orientated Pizza House we have reviewed. The owners, Henk and his wife, have done their level best to
implement a wonderful atmosphere. I
would like to see them one day in their own restaurant away from a
franchise operation.
Typical
St Elmos food but the atmosphere created is excellent.
FAMILY PIZZA PLACE - RECOMMENDED
WE WILL BE REVIEWING A FEW MORE OF THESE ST ELMO'S IN THE WEEKS TO COME.
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Not sure if I was eating Calamari or merely deeply fried batter quenched with oil. Would never return even if I were stranded in a desert and this was the only place in a 300 km radius.
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BAK MEI. Chinese take-away.
Sunset Beach.
XMAS 2003 - Thought we would at least give them another chance as they still exist and thus must be supported. But again, this reviewer fails to understand why. The previous review stands.
Have been there 3 x. Odd thing, the owners do not speak English, but they certainly do know how to count South African Money. There is a young lady there sometimes - maybe the daughter. She is sweet. Another oddity in this day and age, they only accept cash -I wonder why this is???? Food is very oily and meat dishes are mostly filled up with tasteless cooked vegetables. Suppose you can play a game with orders from this place like "spot the meat piece". Immigrants, if this is what they are, should perhaps at least try and speak the language of their new country. We give them shelter and education for their kids and obviously a better life than the countries they came from. But they can come here and then try to take advantage. I personally feel insulted by this type of attitude and to top that, the food is lousy. I would never go back and would strongly advise all I know to do the same.
Cape Quarter, Dixon Street. Green Point.
Situated in the new and very up market Cape Quarter, it is a very interesting place.
Clearly, it has a following because so many people gather around just for a table, so much so that a would be patron has to sit on the edge of the circular fountain fixture in the centre of the property, waiting ever so patiently to be seated while some fresh arrivals do tend to “sneak” onto vacant tables. When confronted, staff actually deny this.
What I presume to be the front of house manager greets one (and not in a manner which would endear me to him) asking how many in the party and curtly leaves the would be patron to its own devices looking at the surrounds - which luckily are pleasant. In retrospect, perhaps the concrete seat on the fountain is “the place to be seen at” and of this I cannot really comment officially.
Alas, I am not one of those that appreciate this treatment although I am certain from the looks of things that the place does have a large following and perhaps so much so that they really may not want or need a review.
Be that as it may, and as normal, I will try the resty again sometime in the coming 2 weeks in order to make up my mind, one-way or the other.
