Any excuse to try somewhere new, myself and another went out to Chatters Restaurant in Cresta Lodges, one of the first nights of restaurant week. Choosing the same starter, the waiter had to ensure with the kitchen the Salmon was in stock or not, hiding my annoyance and being assured the salmon starter was on offer, we waiting anxiously for the meal. The description on the menu online and offered to us on arrival was not what was served. Menu description - sugarcane cured salmon tranches on cucumber carpaccio, apple wasabi creme fraiche eggplant caviar and tomato granite. What was placed in front of us for our enjoyment was not that, thankfully still salmon. Pan fried salmon, beautifully gorgeously cooked, microgreens and a version of a shrimp sauce. Out of place the warm salmon and sauce with crisp microgreens. Thankfully salt was provided on the table as there was not a splash of any on the food. Was it not for the crisped capers the dish would have been more confusing.
Choosing mains, I chose the Tilapia fillet with caper mashed potaotes, seasonal vegetables and a citrus beurre blanc. While my dining partner chose the poached beef tenderloin, herbed hash brown potato cake, roasted vegetables, butternut puree, magnum liquor and red wine deglazed jus.
Choosing mains, I chose the Tilapia fillet with caper mashed potaotes, seasonal vegetables and a citrus beurre blanc. While my dining partner chose the poached beef tenderloin, herbed hash brown potato cake, roasted vegetables, butternut puree, magnum liquor and red wine deglazed jus.
Served at least to the description provided by the menu, albeit seasonal vegetables constituted carrots and onions. I'm having a wonderful time experimenting with roasted caramelised onions myself. The dish, as with the starter, had not a lick of salt. Plating was unusual and I have not seen such like it. I did not hate it, but sparked the question, to which decade did this style of plating belong to? The fish was pleasantly cooked, not over, not under but not seasoned and the flour coating was that, just flour. The citrus beurre blanc, no salt, no real butter and no white wine reduction classic of a beurre blanc, however the dish would have suffered without it. The potatoes, no guess, lacked seasoning despite the addition of the capers which I loved. Carrots were that, carrots.
The other dish, though, too lacked any seasoning but was cooked very well. There was no magnum liquor that was spotted or tasted, the vegetables were the same as my dish, where the roasted onions complimented the steak dish more pleasantly than the fish.
As we sat and decided to order a glass of wine with our meal, we were informed the only wine on offer was the Nederburg Barone. A red I love, and thankfully is very forgiving with different meals. It came with the main courses and complimented the beef well and just fell in with the fish without destroying either the wine flavour or the dish itself. A choice of white wine would have pleased the diner.
Passing on dessert, the portion of the main so large, the value of the $15 was very well spent. A large portion of salmon for a starter, I had a large portion of fish and the beef tenderloin was definitely filling for my fellow diner too.
I would recomend Chatters as a beautiful slice of Zimbabwe, the dining area was clean and neat, service quick and efficient enough. Money well spent and a beautiful evening out where I did not have to cook.
The other dish, though, too lacked any seasoning but was cooked very well. There was no magnum liquor that was spotted or tasted, the vegetables were the same as my dish, where the roasted onions complimented the steak dish more pleasantly than the fish.
As we sat and decided to order a glass of wine with our meal, we were informed the only wine on offer was the Nederburg Barone. A red I love, and thankfully is very forgiving with different meals. It came with the main courses and complimented the beef well and just fell in with the fish without destroying either the wine flavour or the dish itself. A choice of white wine would have pleased the diner.
Passing on dessert, the portion of the main so large, the value of the $15 was very well spent. A large portion of salmon for a starter, I had a large portion of fish and the beef tenderloin was definitely filling for my fellow diner too.
I would recomend Chatters as a beautiful slice of Zimbabwe, the dining area was clean and neat, service quick and efficient enough. Money well spent and a beautiful evening out where I did not have to cook.