There is a saying: “one is never too old to learn” and the one thing I will try to do from my recent experience is to read online restaurant reviews. I have learned and paid my lesson for not doing the necessary research prior to our outing to the Harbour Lights restaurant in Gordon’s Bay on the evening of 17 April 2014.

Family from the Freestate visited us and they wanted to eat in a seafood restaurant and foolishly we decided on Harbour Lights as we live in Gordon’s Bay and would like to impress them. My wife made a telephonic reservation which later seemed to be unnecessary as the restaurant was filled with emptiness.

We waited extremely long for the food to arrive. When it eventually arrived it was found to be tasteless, tough, dry and very close to uneatable. Drinks are very expensive; for example the margin on a local beer is about 228%.

At the end of the evening when the bill arrived I learned that there was a 10% additional fee for the restaurant and the waiter demanded his 10% as well. In total I had to pay a 20% “tip” for a service and food below standard.

Harbour Lights will never see me again, but on the positive I have learned again. With the Internet available it is possible to do research and please do it; it will save you money, disappointment and frustration.

They don't serve sushi anymore and we typically get much better service at the average Spur. The food is good, but I've had better for cheaper. The meals are significantly overpriced.

We dined here with a friend and my youngest child on the 10th February, I went for the special of 2 x crayfish for the price of one which was very enjoyable (although slightly small crayfish), the ladies had sushi which they enjoyed.The only problem was the service, Lewis who was our waiter sat us down at a table with only 3 chairs when there was 4 of us, then knocking the chair over onto my foot and his silly behaviour just wasnt my cup of tea.Not sure Ill race back.