(review from 8/2/10)
ok, fine dining options in Durbanville are somewhate limited. There's the restaurant at Nitida (previously reviewed) and that's about it. I know that Bloemendal has a proper restaurant at the top of the hill, and the view is spectacular, but I'm not sure I want to try the menu after our (also reviewed) experience at their lunch place.
Meedendal used to have a restaurant called Wheatfields (or something like that), and that's what we thought we'd booked, but apparently that closed some time ago. So when we turned up we were directed to the Bistro.
There was only one other table booked for the evening, which didn't bode well, but we decided since we were there to have a go.
Service was excellent. Attentive and courteous. The starters - mushroom soup for Norma drizzeled with cabernet and croutons, and beef carpaccio with caramalised onions and rocket for me were top quality. Beautifully presented and perfectly prepared. Perfectly seasoned and loaded with flavour (although I think that they were a little generous with the onions, but that's really being very fussy).
The accompanying Meerendal cabernet sauvignon merlot 2006 for me was well balanced, smoky, spicy and with a big long finish and went perfectly with the starter.
For mains we both ordered the beef fillet with potato fondant, with seasonal vegetables. The first surprise was the size of the fillet - it was quite simply enormous. Easily enough for two, perhaps three. I wondered how they'd managed 'medium' on something that large, and when I pressed my knife against it I realised instantly that it was essentially raw.
We both returned them to the kitchen for a little more cooking.
On return, they were better, although the center was still pretty much raw meat. The flavour was not very strong, although of course the cut is not usually known for strong flavour.
The second surprise was the 'potato fondant'. Or at least the fondant part. What we got were four chunks of boiled potatoes that had that 'boiled yesterday and reheated' flavour to them (you know the one?). It looked like the veg had all been stir fried together, so the carrots were perfect and the courgettes pretty much already turned to water...
The dessert menu was a choice of creme brulee, chocolate mousse, chocolate tart, malva putting or cheese board. When we enquired as to the delivious-looking range of tarts and cakes in the display cabinet, we were told they were 'just for lunches I'm afraid'.
So Norma skipped dessert and I had the malva pudding, not being willing to risk the creme brulee after the mains. The actual malva pudding might best be described as 'bouncy', and the sauce looked and tasted store-bought. So a bit disappointing really.
So overall, not a great meal out. Excellent beginning, but that was the highlight, and it tailed off from there. I'm afraid a repeat visit would not be on the cards.
Meedendal used to have a restaurant called Wheatfields (or something like that), and that's what we thought we'd booked, but apparently that closed some time ago. So when we turned up we were directed to the Bistro.
There was only one other table booked for the evening, which didn't bode well, but we decided since we were there to have a go.
Service was excellent. Attentive and courteous. The starters - mushroom soup for Norma drizzeled with cabernet and croutons, and beef carpaccio with caramalised onions and rocket for me were top quality. Beautifully presented and perfectly prepared. Perfectly seasoned and loaded with flavour (although I think that they were a little generous with the onions, but that's really being very fussy).
The accompanying Meerendal cabernet sauvignon merlot 2006 for me was well balanced, smoky, spicy and with a big long finish and went perfectly with the starter.
For mains we both ordered the beef fillet with potato fondant, with seasonal vegetables. The first surprise was the size of the fillet - it was quite simply enormous. Easily enough for two, perhaps three. I wondered how they'd managed 'medium' on something that large, and when I pressed my knife against it I realised instantly that it was essentially raw.
We both returned them to the kitchen for a little more cooking.
On return, they were better, although the center was still pretty much raw meat. The flavour was not very strong, although of course the cut is not usually known for strong flavour.
The second surprise was the 'potato fondant'. Or at least the fondant part. What we got were four chunks of boiled potatoes that had that 'boiled yesterday and reheated' flavour to them (you know the one?). It looked like the veg had all been stir fried together, so the carrots were perfect and the courgettes pretty much already turned to water...
The dessert menu was a choice of creme brulee, chocolate mousse, chocolate tart, malva putting or cheese board. When we enquired as to the delivious-looking range of tarts and cakes in the display cabinet, we were told they were 'just for lunches I'm afraid'.
So Norma skipped dessert and I had the malva pudding, not being willing to risk the creme brulee after the mains. The actual malva pudding might best be described as 'bouncy', and the sauce looked and tasted store-bought. So a bit disappointing really.
So overall, not a great meal out. Excellent beginning, but that was the highlight, and it tailed off from there. I'm afraid a repeat visit would not be on the cards.
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