29 Apr |
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 The food was outstanding. I've been lucky enough to eat at a fair number of top restaurants and it is certainly some of the most exciting, creative (and also deliciously edible, which is, after all, the point) and artfully presented food I've yet seen. My vegetarian wife was also blown away by what was easily the most incredible vegetarian dish she has ever come across. Happily, and unusually, the main courses kept pace with the starters: an impressive main of duck breast had an excellent blend of flavours and, interestingly, textures (succulent duck, crunchy walnuts, smooth celeriac puree). The low point, however, was the service. Not bad, but nowhere near what i expect for those prices. Three people offer drinks in the first 30 seconds, then nobody for another 5 minutes. Waitress appeared to have inability to read the customers - lingering looks and chinking glasses is NOT the time to cheerfully take the orders. Stretching across diner and table to retrieve glasses not the done thing, capiche? Mains arrived with no explanation of the dish (and at Jardine’s an explanation is much appreciated). Happily, tap water was offered with no snooty looks and refilled regularly. Overall, the food was outstanding, but personally the decor (or lack thereof) detracted from the meal as an 'event' (and at those prices it should be an occasion, not just refueling). Which, coupled with less than stellar service, made the restaurant as a whole fall short of the impressive kitchen. Damage: R650 for two starters, two mains, three glasses of wine. They also have a great winter special on offer fo R150 for 3 courses. But honestly, the special menu doesn’t come close to the main menu (R260/3 courses). Visit http://www.jardineonbree.co.za. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites            |