La Grotto — Restaurant in Constantia

What was supposed to be a cozy evening with friends turned out to be a massive disappointment.

The owners of this establishment obviously are blinded by their arrogance and lack of understanding the business, or maybe not as they obviously are so well supported by the passing tourist trade that they do not give a damn if they loose local customers. !!!

I will start to say, that the evening started off very promising with drinks and initial starters arriving in good time and waiters friendly and doing a good job. All were in a good mood and orders were taken for the main dishes. The order was a mix of fish dishes and steak. Food came out in reasonable time and presented ok. Most of the table were satisfied with the food (and will say my fish was delicious) BUT.. and now comes the pure arrogance and stupidity of the owners..

Very unfortunately one of the steaks (fillet) sent out with mushroom sauce (which was great) was to say the least RANK.. three other people on the table tasted it and all said the same. The waiter was called over, food was sent back and then this !!

The owners wife (the owner runs the kitchen and wife runs the floor), came out to confront the guest about the steak(fillet) indicating there was absolutely nothing wrong with it and that the guest did not know what they were talking about. (one guest on the table had run a well established steak restaurant himself and knows when meat is rank or not). The owner could not accept that maybe, just maybe it was off. The end of it was they (the Owner) said that they then refused to cook for this one guest and that was it !!!

Night ruined by such arrogant and self opinionated owners, and in my opinion should be banned from running an establishment like this.

I will never recommend this to any people should they ask nor will i promote it in any good way. There are just way to many other great locations to eat at and these owners are hiding behind the fact that they are part of the beautiful Uitsig vineyard and its surroundings.

" The worst kind of arrogance is arrogance...

On arrival we were told that our table was given away at 6pm supposedly they used our name? then when we arrived someone else had our table?? So we were told? Then offered a table that we were not happy with … let me give you the scenario … we been trying to get into this restaurant for over a year .. always booked !! We were so excited to eventually book a table well in advance and especially as it was our anniversary what a way to celebrate… joke on us. We were told on arrival that we couldn’t bring own wine / champagne… it was requested on booking with no problem.. a week ago owners changed the rules ok then why we not told on confirmation today ? Oh she insisted ( subsequently an owner but at start didn’t admit that ) that she called us and told my husband.. who actually had a missed called then called back and spoke to an African gentleman and nothing was mentioned about not allowed your own drinks. Ok so No big deal but my husband did go out of his way to purchase a bottle of Italian Prosecco! So we were made to feel uncomfortable at the start .. no table ! Can’t bring your own drinks !! Ok so we will excuse human error… just so excited to order … no Chenin wine ok so we order rose … drinks arrive get poured not asked to agree to taste? Ok so Pretty good no complaints on choice. Starters I had the grilled calamari oh no over salted awful no chili no garlic flavor? Bummer… can’t comment or complain on the peri peri chicken livers but they sure tasted better than my starter. Main course … well I was surprised that the usual condiments for a pizza was put on the table ? I ordered spaghetti pesca something the other and hubby lasagne awful tasteless had to doctor both the pastas with everything on sight. Food was bland no it was not authentic Italian cuisine… what a huge disappointment! We could have gone to 3 other good excellent Italian restaurants in the southern suburbs !!! Never again. I am flabbergasted that people believe they getting good food there ???? What is all the fuss about? Awful treatment...

One star is too many. If there was a way to give a negative mark they deserve it. They misrepresent themselves as a family style restaurant. Our party of 6 adults and 5 young children had to endure the most diabolical treatment at the hands and mouths of the owners and another woman, possibly his wife. The owners and staff were inhospitable from the outset. Our children were playing outside on the small patch of grass while waiting for their food. When it came to the table we signaled them inside. As they were about to sit and eat the owner came flying out of the kitchen and bellowed at us that our kids were causing a disturbance and that it was now enough. It was also implied that playing on lawns is forbidden in the Uitsig precinct? This was the second time that he had approached out table with negative attitude. It was enough for us and as group we stood and made it quite clear that we would tolerate this no longer. On the way to the door he persisted with me and his wife came hurtling out of the kitchen threatening to call security and saying that they could tell us to go if they felt like it. At this stage the owner was right in my face, near the door, and even poked me in the chest (another less than favorable review indicates that verbal abuse is his norm anyway). All of this in front of 5 children under 7. We dine as group in the burbs regularly and have never been chastised for either our or our children's behavior, because are not badly behaved It was totally unbelievable and unacceptable. So if you want to spend your money on bad attitude, zero atmosphere and all that is wrong with restauranting, then this is your place. But get there fast because I foresee a CLOSED sign in their very near future. It is not a question of when did they open but rather, when are they going to CLOSE. La GROTTY, It cannot be...