AtholPlace
AtholPlace
What 102 people say about AtholPlace
Food | |
Service | |
Atmosphere |
Amazing in every aspect!
Overall, it was a bad experience. I was really eager to eat in AtholPlace since I heard and read wonderful things about it. However, a series of events and a lack of attention to detail really disappointed me. Critics put the restaurant to the same level as Marble or Ten Pompas or Clico. Regarding prices, it is at t...
Read full reviewOverall, it was a bad experience. I was really eager to eat in AtholPlace since I heard and read wonderful things about it. However, a series of events and a lack of attention to detail really disappointed me. Critics put the restaurant to the same level as Marble or Ten Pompas or Clico. Regarding prices, it is at the same level. But it is far back in the details that make those restaurants so good. I made a reservation for two people for lunch. The reservation was made through the Restaurant Week SA website where I clearly marked "no shellfish nor pork" for my companion is Muslim and allergic to shellfish. The reservation was made five days in advance for Thursday 02/11 at 2.30 pm, as chosen within the possibilities in the website. However, only on Wednesday late at night, I received a call from the restaurant saying the did not check with the website and that their kitchen closes at 2 pm, so my reservation had to be changed. That was the lack of attention to detail #1. We were well received in the restaurant as we came in. We had a table outside. However, my seating was the only one that did not have a fork for the main dish set on the table. I had to inform the waiter about this mistake, he did not even notice. That was the lack of attention to detail #2. The entreé was a biltong salad that was really good and refreshing and filling. However, it was not up to the level of WOW you would expect from a restaurant like this. I order the pork for main and my companion ordered the sea bass for he is Muslim. When I saw the waiter walk with a tortilla wrap and what it looked to be french fries from a package on a plate I did not expect that to be my main course. The pork was very well done and tasty but the sauce did not match the taste of the pork. They also broke a golden rule, you cannot identify yourself with fine dining and serve something in a tortilla wrap or common french fries from a package. Even if you go to the Mexican restaurant Perron you will get a better plate of pork. The worst thing was, in fact, my companion's main course. As mentioned, I clearly stated in the reservation "no shellfish nor pork". Hence the reason why he chose the sea bass. However, the side dish was covered with tempura butter. After his first taste, he discovered that they were prawns covered in tempura butter. After the restaurant was informed about his allergies, this was inadmissible. We quickly informed the waiter about this and he went to search for a replacement. However, the allergies have already started to kick in. Huge faux pas by the restaurant. That was lack of attention to detail #3. Once he finished his meal the waiter finally came back with another side dish. A bit too late though. This time they were mushroom tempura. However, it was notable that the mushroom was not cooked properly and it was immediately fried with the tempura. It had no taste at all. So he did not eat them. Therefore, a disastrous main course. The dessert was not up to the standards of what the restaurant claims to be. The dessert was a pineapple sorbet and a meringue nest filled with cream. The sorbet was really refreshing. But they should advise you not to drink wine or coffee afterward for the flavor of the pineapple kills every single aftertaste. My suggestion, drink water and then your wine or your coffee. The meringue was horrible. It was not made properly. Though it was crunchy on the side as it should be, it was mashmellowy on the bottom and it made very difficult to cut with the spoon. Not good. By this time of the lunch, my companion's allergies were kicking even more. We ask for the restaurant and the hotel for medicine since they should be prepared for these type of issues. But they did not have anything. During the dessert, the waitress asked us if we would like coffee. We said yes, one double espresso and one americano. They were good. However, we saw they charged us for those coffees in the bill. So, after all their mess and they still charge you for the coffee! Outraging. Evidently, these people have absolutely no idea of the hospitality business. The entire experience was disappointing.
I have had lunch a few times at Athol Place now (always with the same dear friend), and each time seems better than the last. Yesterday's lunch had me saying that Capetonian food experts don't know what they're missing here in Gauteng.
The service has always been professional and friendly, and yesterday Milton, ...
Read full reviewI have had lunch a few times at Athol Place now (always with the same dear friend), and each time seems better than the last. Yesterday's lunch had me saying that Capetonian food experts don't know what they're missing here in Gauteng.
The service has always been professional and friendly, and yesterday Milton, our waiter, lived up to that tradition.
For the first time in our visits, lunch was a three course set menu which intrigued us. The starter and dessert courses offered single dishes (no option) while we had two choices for the main. While we waited for the starter to arrive, Milton brought us a bread plate with a selection of breads and some fresh lemon-scented hummus.
The starter was a mixed green salad with unexpected delights - I think thin strips of highly spiced biltong, peeled rosa tomatoes (which tasted like they may have been quickly braised in a mild raspberry vinegar concoction, but that's a guess) and microgreens formed the complement to the fresh greens dressed in the most delicious dressing, which perhaps had a touch of raspberry in it, but frankly the flavours were blended so well I couldn't tell. The finish of the salad was a cheeky chili goodbye in the last drops of dressing - outstanding.
I chose the seabass as a main while my friend chose the pork belly, which came as a wrap with a salad. He waxed poetic about his meal and my seabass, with perfectly cooked edamame beans and two lightly battered prawns as accents, was out of this world.
Dessert was a pavlova with pineapple, coconut and other diced fruit. While I'm not a fan of the super-sweet (I don't usually eat meringue) nor even of cream, I finished every bite of this delicious creation. It was decorated with fans of what looked like very thin shavings of pineapple, yet they tasted as if they had been soaked in coconut scented water and left to harden. Exquisite.
The setting? The interior is like an art gallery, and we sat on the terrace overlooking the pool, overhung with palm trees and jacarandas in full bloom. The weather was perfect so it showed off the garden setting to full advantage. The bar - unsurprisingly empty at lunch on a weekday - looked most inviting.
We vowed to return before Christmas regardless of our busy schedules, and perhaps to come for dinner with our spouses as well. Milton patiently relayed our compliments to the chef after each course then finally asked if we wanted to meet him. We had a brief chat with the chef, Willie, before rushing off to our afternoon commitments. If I could have given the experience 6 stars across the board, I would have done.
A little word about arrival: the gate staff are also clearly well-trained and initiate the experience from arrival, making the guest feel welcomed and valued in an oasis far from the hustle and bustle of Joburg. When I arrived there was no parking space, but they quickly organised by walkie-talkie for two people (possibly staff?) to move their cars to an interior area. My wait was all of a minute, nothing to stress about. I could see they had umbrellas in a bin in the foyer and I have no doubt that staff would have run out with umbrellas for guests if it happened to be raining.
If only more of our restaurants had this level of attention to customer focus and quality!
We arrived and were ushered into the bar, we were checked on by the staff.
The restaurant is small which allowed for an intimate setting.
The food was full of flavour and beautifully presented.
The menu offered a variety of choice and was a fantastic mix of flavour and colour.
We had a very pleasant diner yesterday.
The food was very good! The decor and place is breathtaking.
The only little complain will be that the two white wines we wanted were not cold.
They had to put it in the freezer for a moment.
And just a quick tip. The waiters should not have conversations between them next to the clients while they are dining.
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About AtholPlace
AtholPlace Restaurant
AtholPlace Restaurant is the hidden gem of the beautiful boutique styled AtholPlace Hotel & Villa and has rapidly grown into one of the best restaurants in Johannesburg.
Situated in Atholl and close to the vibrant metropolitan Sandton City, AtholPlace Restaurant sits in a location like no other. Surrounded by an abundance of tropical trees and serenity, the restaurant extends outside onto the relaxing terrace overlooking the stunning manicured lawn and glistening hotel pool. AtholPlace Restaurant is well known for its personalised service and homely feeling and is a proud member of Relais & Chateaux.
Delicious Menu
You can start by getting your taste buds tingling in their intimate bar and library where delicious canapés await you. Choose one of the wines from their extensive wine cellar to suit all tastes, or try a popular craft beer, brewed locally. Your waiter will then escort you to the restaurant with it’s relaxing ambiance, where timeless elegance and classic contemporary design set the mood for the culinary joys that await.
Once seated, their Chef will take you on a culinary journey by presenting a mouth-watering menu. Their passionate Chef utilizes his experience and his passion for food to create dishes of varied influence and each dish is a true expression of flavour.