The Grillhouse (Sandton)

Wednesday, February 26th, 2014

Reviewed by Maxine Exton

I took my fiancé out for dinner last night for his 30th birthday and I was sorely disappointed. I am not sure if a Tuesday night comes with the "B team" staff but from the phone call for the booking to the staff cleaning AROUND us while we tried to enjoy the last glass of our wine at *21.50* the experience was a total let-down.
One would think that a restaurant that claims to be "Johannesburg’s most loved and well established premium steakhouse." would offer their clients a level of service that leaves them happy to have paid the upmarket prices that come along with it.
The person who took my reservation over the phone was rude and curt but told me that he had made the booking for 20.00 as requested and when I then enquired/confirmed with him that the table booked in the upstairs area as requested his response was: "I said yes maam!"
We battled to find the restaurant and I phoned to advise that we were on our way but would be 10 to 15 minutes. When we arrived I told the initially keen and friendly waiters at the door that I had made a reservation and they told me to go inside and speak to "them". I told the gentleman at the counter that we had made a booking for 2 people under Maxine, he then shouted back and forth with another staff member something about 23 and showed us to a booth downstairs. I asked him if our booking was not made for upstairs and he cut me off saying no there is no space upstairs. When I reiterated that the booking was specifically made for upstairs he then said he would go and check.
We were seated upstairs and were impressed with the ambience and looking forward to a great dining experience. We ordered a bottle of still water and a bottle of wine and proceeded to order our meals. My fiancé had a halloumi starter and a 300g fillet for his main. We were given the option of rice chips or potato to accompany our main course. We ordered 2 side vegetables and a sauce for the steak which were all separate items on the menu. I ordered a main course of grilled calamari with lemon butter.
The halloumi starter was excellent, followed by the main meals, the calamari was not great at all (better at Ocean basket in my opinion) The steak was very good but the veg portions were certainly nothing impressive, they were very small portions given the cost of R39.95 and R45.95 for creamed spinach and seasonal veg respectively - both portions were served together in a small side dish.
By 21.30 the upstairs area had started to empty out however there were still 3 tables as well as many tables downstairs when the staff started literally clearing up around us. I asked the waiter if the bar area was still open and he said yes and so I requested the bill so that we could finish our glasses of wine outside where we felt less obliged to leave.
After paying the bill, we made our way outside and I asked the staff leaning on the bar outside chatting (3 staff) if I could smoke outside to which they replied that I could, when I asked if I could have an ashtray the man who I had asked simply looked at an ashtray on the bar and signalled me to take it.
I've chosen to write this review because an R800 bill I paid for 2 people, only one starter, a main course each, a side of vegetables and onion rings and a bottle of wine (Zandvliet Shiraz) has left a bitter taste in my mouth and the experience was hardly the "stellar service and an upmarket yet warm and hospitable atmosphere." That is advertised on the website.