A Close Look at Sun International and the new Sun Venture

Sun International is one of the largest gaming groups in Africa and since its conception it has grown so much so that it reached the stock exchange many years ago. Sol Kerzner was the pioneer and the group has had its ups and downs but in the long run it has always been known for its tremendous gaming facilities as well as the entertainment for the entire family. The luxury hotels and the incredible food and beverage section is what has interested me the most but as time has gone by disappointment seems to be the flavour of the day. I think that Tsogo has a share in Sun International and it shows a little within the group as there are many changes that have the Tsogo stamp on it. Each place that I have been to recently appears to be trying to save desperately on food costs, maintenance and housekeeping which has jeopardised the group because people are still paying the prices for accommodation and food but are getting way less for their money. I have done a review on the group in general and it started with the WILD Coast Sun which has had a renovation in some parts, giving the rooms an uplift and the Water World is something to take the kids to explore but for adult entertainment it appears to be a little poor with gaming that has never been updated and food and beverage departments that have become a complete let down. Sun City was once my favourite place to be and it is still lovely to go to because you do feel as though you have escaped to another place entirely but if you are looking for a great place to eat then this entire complex is a no go because each and every place that I reviewed came up with disappointment. Perhaps conferencing might be the option as they seem to have expanded their interests in that sector with a large facility for it but for the holiday maker wanting to take their family out for a good meal, it is best to book into the timeshare and either cook your own foods or have a braai because that would be the most satisfying taste experience you will get to have there. Gaming at the complex is terrible because there is not many options and you have to play an entire week before you are able to walk away with your money back or less. I think that they could do with an upgrade in that area and if you are not into gambling then other adult entertainment includes a karaoke and pool bar, nightclub and a Review Bar for adult male entertainment. The complex has a cinema and the New "Hall of Fame" which has an entrance fee of R100 per adult and I cannot understand why anyone would want to pay that to go through this room lacking something. Times Square is a new and happening casino which is a must do for the gambler because they have the latest gaming technology with 3D Game of Thrones as well as many other options that are new and fresh. The complex does not have too much to offer in food and beverage but they are still in the process of building and I think this one might be an asset to the group. Carnival City is a little dull and the casino floor is huge with a great atmosphere but good luck in getting into the hotel because it is always fully booked. On the whole Sun International has gone down and if food is what you are looking for as an experience on your holiday then you will be highly disappointed and you will also see the embarrassingly obvious food cost savings that are angering many an old patron. MVG specials have become a little silly and it is not worth being an MVG unless you have a discounted room but once they lure you in, there is absolutely nothing but disappointment coming your way. Hopefully Sun International will rise again and their cost cutting days will not last too long but in the meantime I have left the building and I am now exploring places like Emperors Palace and Monte Casino as they have improved their standards as well as given the public numerous options for places to eat and their accommodation seems to have a close to top star quality.

Take a look at the reviews on the restaurants at the Sun International resorts.

Table Bay for Breakfast is a Must Do

Some people enjoy a light cereal in the morning and others prefer to skip breakfast completely but I enjoy a good and full breakfast that leaves me satisfied for the entire day and it helps me eat something light for lunch and dinner. Options are not always easy to find to impress for breakfast but something that you have to do in this lifetime is visit the Table Bay Hotel and go down to their restaurant for a breakfast that you will never forget. It is expensive but according to standards in other hotels, this is not that badly priced. You can have all sorts of juices, cereals, usual bacon, eggs, sausage but what you can also have is sushi, cold meats and this doesn't include ham from the local grocer, this is imported cuts like salami, prosciutto and others. The cheese selection is fantastic and so fresh and you can also have roast chicken and other roasted dishes if you like but for me it was sushi, cold meats and cheeses along with the fresh juices and very well made cappuccinos. The Atlantic Grill is the name of the restaurant and the seating is so peaceful and tranquil overlooking the Cape Town Waterfront. The service is as it should be in a five star hotel and I could not find a speck of dust anywhere. For an unimaginable taste tour this is a great place to have a breakfast fit for a king. It would be described as one of the best in South Africa with Oyster Box Hotel and the Palace not even coming in close.

Wild Coast Sun Food Then and Now

The Good old Days at Chico's

I love travelling and love staying in hotels but sometimes the food can be disappointing and it spoils the entire experience because all you want to do is relax and find a place to snack on the premises.
A place that I remember for a quick and relaxing getaway was the Wild Coast Sun in Port Edward. Their restaurant facilities used to be fantastic with places like the Commodore for a silver service type setting, Driftwood Terrace for the burger buffet and Chico's for a family meal also buffet. 
The stir fry section was well known throughout Durban and people would actually drive two hours to have dinner at this hotel restaurant. Over the years management have come in and gone out and the Commodore restaurant changed into a function room, Indigo café was replaced by a ghastly Squires Loft which has now recently been replaced with a Spur.
Chico's is still there but before I get into the Now part of it all let me take you back to the Then.
Seafood, roast lamb, beef and chicken, assortment of vegetables, assortment of salads, assortment of cold meats and the stir fry which was the best in the country ending off with an assortment of desserts and cheeses.
The prices were reasonable, the staff were helpful and took pride in their foods and not too long ago I managed to capture what I think was the last of the good times on camera before it became the Now nightmare and shamefully poor buffet that should either go back to its former glory or end all together. It is sad to see that something so spectacular has become something and somewhat of a 2 star vibe with mediocre food and a selection of chicken or roast beef (if they want to share the chicken with the customers that is)pap and tomato gravy with maybe two vegetables and sad old potatoes. 
 The starter selection is Iceburg lettuce, tomato and maybe Avocado alongside a sickly looking pasta salad that has no place with any of that food. Some nights you might find hake and other nights not and as for the dessert and cheese selection...well there is probably about three types of fake cake available and cheese....better bring your own from home!
Apparently Friday and Saturday nights the buffet is full and like it used to be but during the week if you are wanting to explore the restaurant-DON'T do it!! You pay half but it is a sad little canteen appearance of food which you would be better off having in an actual canteen.

Fireman's Arms Cape Town

This is one the Cape's oldest pubs, the Fireman's Arms and I was on a trip with my brother and partner when my brother suggested we eat there. Pub food for me can only be eaten in Ireland or Europe and this too me was a weird suggestion for dinner. We arrived there and I was amazed by the décor and the fact that this pub has been there since 1864. It was originally for the local fireman only but in time it allowed for other patrons and they have managed to keep a part of the building in its true and original form. I ordered a Lamb shank for some odd reason, I just thought "go with it" and found this on the menu. I really wasn't expecting much from pub grub and ordered a drink to wash down the bacteria just in case! My brother and partner ordered a pizza. The atmosphere is very nice, fun and vibrant but when the food arrived I was shocked. The presentation of the food was absolutely incredible and it showed that a chef worked behind those doors. My Lamb shank so absolutely tender and the red wine sauce complimented the lamb without drowning it out on a bed of fluffy mash that was light and delightful. The guys pizza arrived and it also surprised me to see it as they are large and full of toppings but the pizza was not for me, even though the toppings were tasty, the base and the cheese left me underwhelmed. I would definitely go back there for the lamb shank and what a surprise meal in a fun location where you would never expect to get a 5 star meal.

Olive and Oil Umhlanga Rocks

I enjoy the idea of a Mediterranean kitchen as you can just imagine the flavours of the foods. Herbs and spices that are used in the correct way as well as menu options that will tantalise your taste buds.
When I arrived at Olive and Oil for the first time I must admit that I was expecting those fantastic flavours which left me a little sad at the end.
I didn't find the menu to be very Mediterranean and I finally opted for a Mezze Platter for the table followed by a pizza and a grilled chicken with vegetables.
The mezze platter had calamari, squid heads, chourizo, beef strips, olives, peppers, grilled pita and a feta dip.  The feta dip was off and the garlic aioli was like drowned garlic. Seafood has got to be cooked correctly and in this case it was way too chewy.
The pizza was mediocre and it was my mistake because I normally order a pizza in an Italian restaurant with a wood burning oven so I was not really expecting much and I was underwhelmed. The pizza lacked in toppings and flavour and the pizza base was not the best.
My partner had the Athena's chicken which is two breasts of chicken in a creamy white wine and prawn sauce served on a bed of mash.  The chicken was very dry, the prawn sauce tasted nothing like prawn except for the little décor prawn on the top of the sauce and the dish was a good idea but it was tasteless.  I also found that serving prawn sauce on a bed of parmesan mash was not the greatest of two tastes joining together.
The service was good, the restaurant was clean but the food was not great and I wouldn't hurry back there.

Tribes Restaurant Emperors Palace Casino

I was told that this is one of the best places to go to by a number of people and I decided to give it a try.
The host was friendly and she seated us in the outside area because the inside, although lovely with the décor that is warm and welcoming was a bit too noisy.
Obviously steaks are recommended and I went for a rump steak rare with a blue cheese sauce. One of the other meals ordered was a T. bone steak and a Sirloin both done medium rare.
We were not told what goes with the steaks and we were also not asked how we would like the steaks cooked which is a little unnerving when you are ordering in a steakhouse.
The music was at a decent level and our waitress was a little slow with bringing and offering drinks as well as informing us about the meals.  My food arrived cold and the steak was not cooked the way that I asked for it, it was medium rare and cold along with the vegetables which were also cold, almost s if they had just been taken out of a fridge.  The blue cheese sauce was thick and obviously had not been warmed enough as chunky flour was all that I could taste.
I naturally sent my food back and a few minutes later a chef came out to inform me that firstly; a rare steak cannot be served warm and secondly; he checked the steak and it was perfectly rare. Thirdly; he said that he would give me another steak but there was nothing wrong with the first meal that was sent.  I then told him to forget about the meal as I was no longer interested in having it. The T.bone was tough and full of sinew and the Sirloin was actually a rump steak also not medium rare but rare.
Another plate of food came out to me but I told the waitress to tell the chef that he could shove it as he had such a bad and aggressive attitude without knowing his product.
The manager then came out to apologise for the chef and the steak but by then our party were ready to leave and had no interest in staying there.
I thought the host was friendly and seated us quickly, the cleanliness of the restaurant was not great and the service was bad.
The chef needs some training as well as the waitress and as for the management, well unfortunately if you do not know how to solve a problem then this business will eat you alive.
The venue itself is a great concept and the menu has an interesting variety with prices that are not too bad but I would not recommend this one.

Remo's Umhlanga

I have been here before and for the first few times I enjoyed it but unfortunately the portion I ordered got smaller and the price went up. I stopped going there for a while because that is something that absolutely annoys me when a new place comes to town.  Getting the food costs right before you open the doors to the public is a necessity because once you have opened and you change things that people have been enjoying, they lose interest.
The décor is nice and I found it a little "New York" vibe with old school leather booth seats and dark wooden tables.  The fountain outside makes it feel a little European and it is a pleasant place to sit and enjoy the ambience.
The staff are friendly and the service is alright...not great.
Management has changed and there is a lack of it here and as for the door host, she serves no purpose other than to great the people walking in before or after her many smoke breaks.

What the Critics Expect

I find it rather difficult to go out and enjoy a restaurant as an experience because often our restaurants lack a few simple things; service, quality and consistency.
Being from the industry myself I am overly critical at times but my job is to find the best restaurant with the best food and an experience that you will enjoy and return for again and again.
When I rate a restaurant I look at many aspects before giving it a vote.
Meet and Greet: Are you being welcomed and is there someone to assist you
Service: Are the staff  fully trained and do they work together to help their customers
Speed of Service: Sometimes good food takes long but how long do you have to wait and do you get dehydrated in the process.
Management: Are they present are they aware of what is going on and would you return because of their competence
Cleanliness: Yep, this is important is the restaurant clean, cutlery and crockery clean and your waiter too!
Quality of Food: We don't mind paying if it is worth it!  Is the food you are given of good quality
Presentation: Is the plate that you are given well presented or slapped together to put you off before you eat
There is nothing like a bad experience when going out with your family. 
 It is not something that happens every day and when you do go out it needs to be an experience, a happy one that will entice you to return instead of a bad time that leaves you hungry, disappointed and angry at someone, knowing that you have thrown away your hard earned money on a meal that would have been tastier at home!