The interior has been opened up and decluttered.
The last time I ate in the Wijnhuis in Newlands I gave it a bad write up. This is not something I like to do, as I usually try to ferret out places that I’d recommend that people go and eat in. It’s too easy to pick the bad places and write about them.
I wrote;
” This restaurant, from a food quality point of view, has been in terminal decline and has now flat lined at bad….. not a place for people who are serious about their food…..Wijnhuis needs to stop fooling around and start producing the goods…..the question is; could they be bothered?”
With the kitchen moved to the other side of the building you now can see the mountain.
They closed for renovations a while afterwards.
They’ve just reopened.
The new interior is much brighter and more open. It’s sort of 1930’s industrial vibe, and the view to the mountain has opened up, with the kitchen having been moved from one side of the restaurant to the other.
Most of the clutter has been removed and the big bar is intact, but with two conversation and gaze stealing flat screen TV’s hanging right over it. They must think that people have nothing to talk about.
Lumps of lamb in a gloopy sauce. Unappetising.
My first question to the manageress was “Is the chef new?”
The answer was no, so my heart dropped. How could anything have improved in the food department?
Starters arrived – a beef carpaccio, which was of high quality, nice but expensive (R85). The salad was miserable; a small miserly portion of a few greens and tomato. Sad.
Mains. My special of the day was a slow roasted lamb dish. Mongolian Yak is more like it. Unappetising lumps of lamb in a gloopy sauce that masqueraded as gravy. The rosemary potatoes were soggy and reeked of oil, cheap oil.
The line fish of the day - kingklip.
My lunch partners line fish of the day (kingklip) had a few problems. It did not taste like a fresh portion, although they said it was it had all the texture of a previously frozen portion. It was overcooked and overseasoned.
We skipped dessert. I asked the manageress for a doggy bag for the lamb, which I could not eat.
Maybe the Jack Russell would appreciate it.
Fab revamp, shame about the (expensive) food.
Starters R35-85. Mains R45-160.
Wijnhuis Restaurant
Kildare Centre
Main Road
Newlands
021 671 9706
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Do the owners think we’re stupid? I stopped eating there when the equation between price and quality diverged wildly a few years ago. A new coat of paint and they’re serving up the same old……………
But Clare, didn’t this restaurant win a South African Wine List Award. I am very shocked!
They might have won the SA wine list award, and I’ll admit their wine list selection is quite good, if expensive. But what good is that if the food does not deliver?
Recently my wife and I dined at Wijnhuis in Newlands. Being new-comers to Wijnhuis, we were greeted by a hostess who was very friendly and informed us that the restaurant had recently undergone extensive renovations. Although I know nothing of what it was like before, the ‘new’ restaurant is well decorated, stylish and elegant. My experience as a whole was marvellous. They can be commended on their freshly baked bread, as well as the supremely cooked Rib Eye steak that I tackled. However, the only thing that left me utterly shocked and infuriated was the fact that the restaurant claims 50% of all credit/debit card tips given to the waiters. I feel that this is gravely unjust! As a patron, I am tipping for the service I experienced delivered by my waiter, and not the restaurant. As validation one can look at 10% or 15% that could contribute to barmen, as well as VAT included on card transaction, but to remove 50% of a card tip that a client has decided on paying their waiter is legally questionable and unjustifiable. It is clear that Wijnhuis preys on inexperienced and naive waiters who don’t know any better in order to profit the restaurant. Waiters ultimately pay the restaurant to employ them. I am frankly put-off Wijnhuis altogether and would advise future diners to rethink their restaurant choice in a way to discourage such capitalist behaviour.
Clare, I’m at Wijnhuis right now. What a shocker.
How did you end up there Ashley? Seriously though, I’d like some feedback from you, as I hear they are full every night. Is it me? or do people like the food they serve?
Hi Charles, Glad to hear your steak was decent enough. The feedback I am getting is generally thumbs down. I agree that skiving off waiters tips is pretty shabby. I would suggest to patrons that they pay their tips directly to the waitstaff.
A group of us decided to have a girls lunch there last week and to give it a go again with the new opening— the food was disgusting!!!i was horrified! & the service even worse! would never go back! The owners must be crazy…let’s see how long it stays open for
I agree with all comments above. What a disaster this restaurant is! What infuriated us was that the man in charge, (not sure what he should be called) kept blaming the student waitresses for everything. The fact is, they haven’t been trained at all. He was sarcastic and full of himself. Maybe this is what he is used to in Britain?
We certainly shall never go there again until it is sold and another restaurant opens in its place. Pity. It would be nice to have a good, affordable neighbourhood restaurant.
Ouch Melanie, sounds like it’s getting worse. I haven’t heard a single decent word of feedback. I know a few of the waiters that work there (I live close by, and Newlands is a villagey sort of place) and they are getting it in the neck from customers. Shame, after spending all that money on a renovation……
The waiters are students for the most part, but what’s so difficult?? Some of the best waiters and waitresses I’ve come across are students. And what’s with the British comment? Service levels are snappy enough there…???
Food was mediocre at best and expensive . Service was just okay. Menu was extremely limited . Wine list extensive but very expensive .
Cocktails tasted odd , not well proportioned at all and expensive , served in a jar and too many mint leaves . I felt like I was a cat drinking out of a jar left outside for days collecting rain water :p .
Fillet steak was tasteless served with 2 carrots which were hardly scrubbed . The only potato on the menu , is chips . I asked for mash . I didn’t think this should be too difficult but would require more effort . The chef must be at the end of his tether . Maybe he isn’t paid well enough to care .
If you like plain food without any embellishments this is your place .
“I felt like…. a cat drinking out of a jar left outside for days collecting rain water” – classic comment. Well done Samantha.