Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient

Sunday, September 15th, 2019

Reviewed by Luvaldi Swart

Was initially very excited to visit one of the few top10 restaurant close to home, but caution to all, the drive to get there was terrifying! Not the safest road in Gauteng as well as not being informed about the gravel part just left me with a bad taste in my mouth to begin with. The restaurant is outdated... which I knew was going to be the case, wasn’t expecting Overture or La Colombe... but, for a restaurant charging these prices, I expect some degree of luxury, bathrooms are sub par and the waiting staff had to warm you about minding you step here, here and here, also mind your head... Was welcomed by the chef, Chantel, and this might have been the highlight of the evening. Sommelier, Moses, recommended an excellent champagne!!! Couldn’t find fault. But for a winter menu with almost all dishes being served cold... was a let down, had the non-alcoholic pairing, one of the better non-alcoholic pairings, but they arrived with a delay of the food, which meant that some went cold. Glasses not being taken away... Coffee was terrible, they should invest in a barista. Also struggled with the music, listening to Édith Piaf song after song, just indicated a lack of time spent on creating a decent playlist. Food was average and the cold temperature of the food didn’t hit the spot, felt as if this was purposefully done to help the kitchen to plate and prep in advance, as I was not able to see or hear a kitchen, also not the case with many of our top10 restaurants, missed not being able to see how my food was prepared... Definitely just a top10 tick off for me and wouldn’t recommend or give it a go again. Just too inaccessible, they try to get you to stay in the hotel... odd, as if they are well aware of the bad road to get there... Felt a bit “Megh”, and I can think about five better restaurants in a 10km radius from me that would have had better service, ambience and warm food.