Andy Leslie
15-May-2012
We had dinner at the Greenhouse on Friday 4th May. The food was very impressive but, compared to other restaurants in the top 10, the overall experience was underwhelming. My wife chose the chef's tasting menu and I went for the fish tasting menu. The restaurant had run out of the salmon trout so we both ended up with the same prawn roulade for a second course. The service was very attentive but the wine arrived late for one of the courses and when our bill arrived, we had been overcharged for two rather than the one wine pairing option. The chef visited numerous tables but not ours. Compared to exceptional dining experiences at the Tasting Room, Test Kitchen, Terroir and the Roundhouse, the Greenhouse was actually quite disappointing.
Berdine Neethling
7-May-2012
Had the most amazing meal at Greenhouse on Friday evening - everything was excellent from the reservations people who helped me out up to the end where Chef Peter personally came and thanked each guest. I am very impressed and have definitely added The Greenhouse as a "must do"!
Karen Marlow
24-Apr-2012
I ate at this restaurant recently and came away remembering that one should be wary of being caught up in the hype surrounding some of the restaurants we are so lucky to have here in the Cape. I am in the fortunate position to have eaten at 3 of the top tasing menus in the past 3 weeks (Test Kitchen, Tasting Room and Greenhouse). Whilst I e-mailed the Greenhouse weeks ahead of my food prefences, and they assured me this was no problem, I arrived with my 3 dining companions to be given the standard menu to choose from, and only after much searching through the menu, realised I should request a vegetarian menu (I do eat fish as well). At the Tasting Room (in Franschoek), they knew immediately who our party was on arrival, and they had prepared for us. Just to be double sure I asked our waiter to confirm that "poisson" was fish, he insisted it was chicken. I was confused, asked him to check, but he insisted it was chicken. I have obviously since checked with a French speaking friend, and realise I dipped out on half my dish. The service really wasn't great on our visit, with only the first of 4 courses being explained, as the waiters steadily got busier during the course of the evening. . To my fellow foodies, or anyone who would like to spoil a loved-one with a tasting menu, there really is only one place to go, and that's the Tasting Room. In terms of the total package i.e lighting (so that you can actually see the food), waitering etc., you will get will get bang for your buck.
Comments
Joshua Crowe
4-May-2012
Thank you for your very useful and constructive comments. We do take them seriously as we constantly strive to improve. As discussed earlier, we hope to have the chance to set the record straight soon. Joshua Crowe, Maitre D
Kim Morley
15-Feb-2012
The Greenhouse at Cellars-Hohenhort Hotel, Constantia
We had a wonderful evening with our neighbours at The Greenhouse a fortnight ago. It was sublime! Expensive yes, but worth every penny. Beautiful decor at the Conservatory, great ambience. It was a long drive to Constantia but we were all looking forward to a superb dinner. I would like to think that the evening's meal was overseen by the Executive Chef, Peter Tempelhoff. Whether he was there or not, his team did a splendid job. The appointed waiter and the sommerlier knew their job inside out. Their recommendation was perfect. Exquisite! The boys had so much fun, so much so, that their Pinot Noir was all over the table cloth and my husband's shirt (our guests were drunk, I might add). Will definitely go again if they will allow us in.
Gerhard Kotze
5-Feb-2012
Brilliant. Absolutely deserving of its nunber 1 status, The Greenhouse served up a spectacular Chef's Tasting Menu of 7 courses with wine pairing that is faultless. Although pricey, the quality of dishes are of such a high standard that the indulgence is worthwhile. Lovely setting and ambience to boot.
Tehne Nightingale
9-Jan-2012
Absolutely incredible- Peter Tempelhoff is an absolute genius, the food is incredible. No one should miss out on an opportunity to eat at the Greenhouse.
Wade Nel
30-Nov-2011
My girlfriend and I went here last year and we were so over joyed when we heard that it is the restaurant of the year. We make it a priority when we can to eat at the top restaurants when we can and whilst last year, the Greenhouse was merely considered instead of being in the top 10, we decided to try it anyway. We are so glad we did. We did the tasting menu and it was a delightfull dinner of intricate dishes, taste explosions and mind-numbingly beautifully presented food and odd concoctions formed from the mind of a genius. The sommelier was great and we absolutely loved the wine so much, we drove all the way to the farm to buy cases of it a few weeks later. It is a little pricey, but for a special occasion, it's well worth it and I am desperately looking forward to the next special occasion to go back. Definitely Number 1 in our books!
