In keeping with sponsor La Motte's ethos of celebrating excellence, we asked you to vote for your favourite restaurant from our list of 20 Eat Out Award nominees.
 
As our inbox was flooded with votes, it became clear that each of the 20 restaurants had fiercely loyal supporters. Team Hartford House proved to be the most persistent of the bunch, however, and cast almost double the number of votes of their closest competitor in favour of the KZN Midlands restaurant.
 
What can first-time diners expect from executive chef Jackie Cameron's kitchen? In a nutshell, fine dining finesse with just a hint of playfulness. According to 2011 Eat Out reviewer Shirley Jones, a good bet would be to order the butter-poached prawns or gourmet bunny chow for starters, and the pan-seared beef fillet or duo of rabbit for mains. And, judging by Jackie's description of her favourite dish on the current menu, you can't go wrong with the peanut butter and syrup on toast dessert, comprised of peanut butter semifreddo, maple syrup ice cream, sugar-glazed bananas and vanilla.
 
For more on the dynamic chef and her sumptuous food, get your copy of the 2011 Eat Out restaurant guide, on sale now.