Fast facts

Restaurant name: The Chef’s Table

Address: Protea Mall First Floor, 1 Chartwell Drive, Umhlanga

Telephone number: 031 001 0200

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 12noon –10pm

Average price of main course: R265

Corkage fee: R125 per bottle of still wine; R150 per bottle of Methode Cap Classique; R300 per bottle of French Champagne

Parking: Street parking or in the parking lot next to the Protea Mall. Only stairs available to the first floor.

Food type: Fine dining for a special evening out with friends or family. Each dish is like an artwork on a plate from the entree bread to the sweets with your bill.

Compliance with COVID regulations: All regulations met, but not all kitchen staff were wearing hair nets in the open kitchen.

Best for: Fine dining for a romantic evening or a celebration with friends.

Food:

Your fine-dining experience starts with freshly baked bread served with Peppadew butter and lemon-herb ricotta. Crispy squid with bursts of lemongrass can be ordered after the complimentary bread. For meat lovers, the obvious choice is the wood-fired fillet, sirloin or rump, which has a smoky ‘braai’ flavour, and is served with thys chips, a new spin on ordinary French fries. Local Midlands pork or grilled linefish with authentic Durban flavours of masala and pineapple are also good options. A separate vegetarian and kiddies’ menu is also available. End your meal with a dessert of citrus or berry flavours, chamomile tea and ganache, or an artistic spin on a traditional Eton mess. The bill is served with home-made marshmallows and chocolates, perfect with coffee or sweet wine.

 

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Drinks:

There is a wide range of South African and international wines, Champagnes and other liquor on offer from the in-house cellar. Soft drinks and selected cocktails are also available, as well as coffees.

 

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Service:

The waiters have as good a knowledge of the food as the chefs preparing it. They explain the menu in detail, answer questions and make recommendations. The is table cleaned between courses with cutlery replaced and crumbs discreetly removed from the tablecloth.

 

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Ambience:

A relaxed feeling with a touch of elegance to make it a special celebratory evening out.

 

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Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay for their meals in full. Read our full editorial policy here.