Great

This was the restaurant experience that finally made me register. Bad. After a long absence from restaurants we ventured out as Groot Constantia is close to our home, and we always enjoyed Simon's or JonkersHuis. But who on earth decided that a victorian bordello theme (poorly executed) was a great idea? From a great venue to a tacky, honestly filthy looking shed with the class of a trailer trash lottery winner, who allowed this to happen? So out of character for the rest of the estate. But apart from a dusty dirty old shoe as part of our table decor, the event space next door holding a rave-like party blaring over the fireplace really just killed the mood. The food was decidedly poor too. Decent portions, and surprisingly well priced, but bad quality, and small things like soggy hamburger buns that were clearly defrosted etc. Sadly we wont be back, and lets hope Groot Constantia doesn't mess (or hasn't!) with Jonkers Huis.

We had lunch here today and what an utter disappointment, after really looking forward to it - we haven’t been in years! The setting is so lovely, the food is delicious but the whole experience is spoiled by a few things: 1) It’s a dirty restaurant The floors look like they haven’t been sweeped in days, even weeks. The toilets are filthy. When we asked for tomatoe sauce, the bottle arrived dirty and in that typical cap-hasn’t-been-cleaned state. 2) Service is slow Although Grant, our waiter, was friendly and tried his absolute best, there was a lack of attentiveness. Took forever to come back to take our food order, no cutlery when food arrived, empty plates on table for a very long time. The worst part... there was a collection of all the empty glasses, cans, bottles and dessert bowls on our table until the very end. Not once did someone bring a tray and clear the table. 3) No presence of management There wasn’t a manager in sight. Waiters walk around empty handed when tables are full, the full restaurant needed extra hands. Unfortunately we won’t return unless management steps it up and gives the potentially good waiters some needed training.

My partner and I always got to Simons as a treat. The restaurant has a inside and outside area that flows seamlessly. The outside area that overlooks the vineyards is beautiful in Summer. They have an amazing fillet steak that is always cooked perfectly. They have a large selection of amazing local wines. We recommend their crème brûlée which is the best I have ever had.