Hazendal Wine Estate — Attraction in Cape Town Ward 7

I have been holding back on writing a review, but I have been a weekly customer for almost 2 years now and unfortunately, I constantly come across the same issues with the food and service. I come to Hazendal at least twice a week, whether I’m in the Deli, Spa, or Pro Shop Bar.

I’m not sure your staff actually notice me as a regular at your Deli, but I have stated multiple times I am celiac and cannot be served gluten. I have been served “gluten free” bread of an extremely low standard, it really tastes awful, and is never “toast” it’s always warm soggy bread. Eating this has resulted in the same reaction to me eating gluten which makes me think the kitchen does not properly prepare surfaces for allergy precaution.

DELI ISSUES (GLUTEN, FOOD QUALITY & SERVICE): With the following said, some of your deli staff are lovely, and always greet me with a smile and ready to take my coffee order, yet when those specific staff are not there, there is a huge lack of service quality. The following just shows a general lack of care or training

Example 1: I ordered the French toast with maple bacon on GLUTEN FREE French toast. It arrived with normal bread. I then realized and waited 10 minutes for a server to come back to check on us, I mentioned the issue and they said it would get swapped. I then got it served on PLAIN “gluten free” bread (not even toasted, never mind the French toast part). The toppings were clearly moved directly across, after being on gluten for about 15 minutes.

The staff can never tell me which dishes have gluten in or not, as if they haven’t learnt about what gluten is. This shows me a lack of care from the kitchen which knocks on to the staff not understanding the food.

Example 2: My boyfriend gets the avo and halloumi toast every time, and it constantly tastes different (literally as if the recipe is changing). Sometime it has onions, sometimes it’s smashed sometimes it’s blended and watery. The one time he found a hair in the avocado halloumi, which was so bad the manager actually took it off our bill. We usually wouldn’t complain, and just take the hair out, but it was so off putting.

Example 3: Ordered burgers regularly, never cooked to order. Sometimes rare, sometimes dry and over done, such inconsistent quality.

Example 4 (from today): Due to me struggling to find meals that actually definitely don’t have gluten in it, I asked for ONE slice of gluten free bread, ONE fried egg, and some sautéed mushrooms. (I only ordered this because it has been allowed in the past) My server said she had to check with the manager as she didn’t think they were allowed to take those orders. She then returns and says the manager said no, but instead I could order the “Kids Breakfast Bun”: scrambled egg (which I have to change to fried), breakfast bun (which I had to change to gluten free bread), and bacon (which I didn’t originally want). I don’t see how this resolution is any more simple than me just ordering my original request. I don’t get mushrooms, and my bacon arrives bare raw. The gluten free bread was not toasted, I am convinced it wasn’t even gluten free, and it was damp and soggy.

Example 5: About a month ago, there must’ve been 4 other tables in the deli when I was there. No staff were checking on tables, every table surrounding me was either served something incorrect, or asked what they ordered. I had to call someone to get a menu, waited patiently to see if I’d be served, eventually had to stand up and call someone to order, food came quickly but was not of good quality, empty plate sat on my table for ages until I had to get up and ask for the bill. There were about 8 staff members in there, 2 which were standing behind the coffee machine on their phones. (Someone had to ask me what I ordered so they could print my bill, because nobody had put it in the system. I couldn’t even tell them because once again someone had to suggest a different option...

I'm undecided about how many STARS to give this venue visisted yesterday for lunch. We have been numerous times this year. The first thing that struck me was the venue usually packed, was not. Our drinks consisting of bottled sparkling water, "fresh" orange juice and champagne arrived in a staggard manner with the ice bucket arriving last. The retail type of bottled "orange juice" was the first let-down as usually Fresh Pure Orange juice is used for the mimosa and to serve it in a plastic bottle was not expected at an estate. The drinks arrived in three trips back & forth which is never good for the guest constantly being attended to for one order of drinks. Certainly the bar dispensing can put all on one tray. The menu has changed and we were very disappointed we could not get any bread, cheese, tapas / tapas style of starters / charcuterie. This is the first estate I've visited that does not serve bread & cheese let alone olives / tapenade etc. A senior staff member informed us that we are not the first guest to complain about this. Our choice of salmon with pomegranate seeds was excellent and really good and well portioned & presented. The vegetables with soya sauce was a good pairing with the salmon. My next drawback was the price of the APEROL SPRITZ @ R185.00 is ridiculous and to date the most expensive I've had anywhere in the world . I am hoping this is a pricing error afterall its Prosecco, Aperol & Soda with a slice of citrus. The outside seating area reminds me of a merry-go-round. The centre being quite a "dead" area . Its neither romantic nor intimate and I find it "cold" with tables spaced far apart. I find the entire outside seating underutilised . I've never experienced live music at this venue and the centre area I would utilise for entertainment purposes other than seating.

The changed menu not reflecting the season and the hugely inflated cost of the cocktail has dampened my taste for this venue and unless invited I doubt I will visit again.

There are too numerous beautiful venues allover Cape Town / South Africa with a more reflective menu and market related pricing.

NO FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER HAS REACHED OUT !!!

It has been a while now and STILL there has been zero contact from the F&B Manager.

SHOCKING that a guest would receive a standard reply and that neither the owner(s) or anybody let alone Managment has reached out.

It would have gone a long way if I was contacted but as there has been zero contact my patronage at this venue has ceased.

As previously mentioned there are equally & definitely more beautiful...

The new and improved Hazendal is just that - new and improved. They have a great contemporary look with special characteristics meant to inform you subconsciously that they are willing to go that extra mile to make up for their Off-Broadway location when compared to other modern-style farms in the Stellenbosch area. (No, really. They are super committed to letting you know how modern they are striving to be. The fine dining restaurant is actually called Avant-Garde. You can't make this stuff up.)

The Marvol art gallery wasn't yet open when I visited, but I'm keen to check it out, especially after viewing the smaller collection currently on display in the rooms adjoining the classic (but modern!) deli. The chic little pergola situated on their dam was also unfortunately in use, but I definitely day dreamt about lounging under it on a moderately hot summer day.

We partook of the Russian Tea Experience. I highly recommend it. The staffmembers were enthusiastic and engaging in explaining the nuances associated with a traditional Russian spot of tea, but didn't prattle on to the extent that I became bored with the whole affair. (Fear not, lovers of knowledge! A little book is provided that describes everything in more detail.) Much as I support supporting local, it would have been hella cool to have someone from Russia, or at least with a pretend Russian accent, do the talking. With all of the imported Russian goods involved they might as well throw in an actual Russian for authenticity's sake.

The food was complex and delicious! Even the treats I thought I would not enjoy that much surprised me with their depth of flavour (I'm looking at you, Priyanik).

In terms of cost I thought it was fair for lekker food and a novel experience. For R 195-00 per person you get 9 snacks and the standard pot of Zavarka tea. You have to fork out for extra teas, but you can also order off the deli menu to fill your belly if necessary.

BONUS ROUND - someone in our party unfortunately found a hair in one of her treats. The staff were, naturally, very apologetic, even though my companion was not too fazed. They ended up giving her a bottle of wine with a dapper rabbit on it to make up for their whoopsie.

TL;DR - they'll be...