There’s a palpable air of excitement at Eat Out HQ. The 2011 Eat Out DStv Food Network Restaurant Awards are creeping closer, and in just 12 day’s time – on the 20th of November – we’ll be announcing the top 10 restaurants in the country, along with a host of other awards. Here are reviews of our twenty nominees, written by you.

Azure
“We had late lunch on a glorious sunny Sunday at Azure. Awesome views, and a very nice outdoor eating venue, to say the least…” Marianne Engvall

Babel
“The menu is pleasantly different and the service is efficient and personal. Worth a visit!” Peter

“Our booking at this much-vaunted and unique Cape Winelands venue was impeccably handled, and reconfirmed. The welcome was warm, efficient and courteous…” Lew Rood

Bosman’s Restaurant  “I brought a group of Swedish tourists who were totally blown away. They had eaten fish all over the world but nothing compared to the Kingklip served on the patio overlooking the vineyards. Thank you.” Annabelle Solle

DW Eleven-13
“Wow! What an amazing time we had on Friday evening at DW 11-13. The food was gastronomic, and the portions were perfect…” Tarryn van der Berg

“You have just become our favourite dinning spot in Johannesburg!” Foodaholicssa.com

The Greenhouse
“Beautiful setting, faultless food and outstanding service.” Cathy Spargo

“The Greenhouse should be in the top 10 selection of restaurants, and I would go as far as saying it should be in the top listing for Africa and the Middle-East. Well done with food and divine flavours.” Deon Schutte

Hartford House
“Tasty, well thought-out food creations, prepared with respect and love.” Roger Webb

Jordan
“Exceptional wines, superb cuisine. You get what you pay for: value for money.” Basil Beams

“Best soufflé in town.” Gert

La Colombe
“An outstanding tasting menu by talented chef Scot Kirton…” Lew Rood

“Three of us had the most wonderful food, wine, service and ambience ever! [Our companions] eat out all over the world and agreed this was the best…” Elisbie Kies

Nobu
“Nobu deserves all its accolades and even more…” Star Kachisa

“We had dinner at Nobu on Saturday night and we all had the winter special. It was fantastic and the flavours were amazing. Excellent service too…” Marien Gasson

Overture
“Excellent. Maybe the best restaurant in which we have dined in South Africa.” Marc Van Uytvanck

“This restaurant is in one of the best settings around and beautifully decorated.” Jonathan

“You have to have the ravioli of tomato, it is a delight and if you are a fan of tongue, this dish was outstanding…” Karine Dequeker

Pierneef à La Motte
“What a beauty. It is the perfect package…” Lisha E

“The venue is absolutely exquisite with no detail overlooked. I was pleasantly surprised by the approachable menu and reasonable prices…” Kara Bresgi

Planet Restaurant
“The vegan journey tasting menu is inspired. I had no idea that vegan food could be so delicious!” Ella McDougall

The Restaurant at Grande Provence
“Absolutely fabulous. The food was fantastic with Darren creating a one-off starter dish for my husband; service and ambience superb…” Amanda Dhalluin

“The best food we have had in South Africa, ever…” Ingrid Hindle

“Do yourself a favour and put it on your bucket list…” Mandy Pond

Restaurant Mosaic at Orient
“New, fresh, innovating and just plain amazing…” Andre Oelofse

“Our lunch on Saturday was a wonderfully enriching experience. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making it special!” Celeste Friedrich

“An experience out of this world…” George du Toit

Roots
“The setting is splendid and this translates into an intimate dining area enclosed in glass…” Ryan Mathew

“The food is sublime! And the setting is just magical – so much so that we’ve decided to get married there!” Andante Rust

The Roundhouse
“A unique setting, drenched in rich Cape history, perched overlooking awesome vistas of the sea and forested hillside.” Kirsty Rich

“It lived up to the hype. I have to say the cob with char-grilled aubergine was probably the finest fish dish I have ever tasted…” Simon Beesley

Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français
“Ambience – beautiful. Service – top-notch.” Louis Young (Food Fanatic)

Terroir
“I was very pleased to see Terroir nominated for the Eat Out Awards. I had a very pleasant, relaxed afternoon eating out in the shady courtyard a couple of months ago. The pork belly was amazing, and the foie gras starter sublime.” Alan Powell

The Test Kitchen
“Absolutely the best dining experience in my life! Luke and his staff are artists and it’s evident they are passionate about what they do!” Cathy Fitzpatrick

“Sublime and inspired cooking…” Felicity Vardas

Tokara
“Magnificent food unlike anything you have ever had before. Breathtaking views, well-priced and good service. A must visit for any foodie!” Ingeborg Pelser

What do you think of our shortlist? Let us know with a review, or talk to us on Facebook and Twitter.