DONATELLA'S MONTECASINO — Restaurant in Gauteng

My wife and I used to be regulars at this restaurant prior to and post the pandemic, and our party of 8 decided to treat ourselves to a birthday dinner for our Mum there last night.

The restaurant is really run down, from the torn aquamarine vinyl benches to filthy stained tablecloths and table runners.

The aircon in that room was set to an unreasonable temperature which resulted in our food going cold in just a few minutes after arriving from the kitchen.

There were flies buzzing all around us from the time we got seated and it worsened when our food arrived. We asked the waiter if they had citronella oil table lamps to see to that, he said that they didn’t. He tried to open a door and had such a hard time doing that, that we told him to just forget about it.

The waiter was extremely slow and mostly absent, even when some of us went to look for him to follow up on the progress of incorrect orders taken by him. It was not at all a busy evening for them.

The portion sizes of the food was alarmingly smaller than what we were accustomed to and yet the prices on some of our usual meals had drastically increased. How can one still feel hungry after having supper? We understand the concept of CPI and don’t mind paying for good quality food, but our experience last night was beyond dreadful.

The prawns were dry and miserably stuck to their shells, and was a mission to clean. The chicken had a couchy taste to it. They was barely any sauces covering the combo meals.

The deserts were old, the Halva ice cream had an ice crunch to it and the chocolate brownie was an absolute disaster, stale, dry and tasteless.

The manager did his rounds to every other few occupied tables in the restaurant besides coming to ours.

Our waiter told us that much had changed since the Covid days and the restaurant was cutting back, even to the point of not even offering a simple cheap bread roll whilst awaiting our food?

I get that businesses lost out on a lot of revenue during the lockdown, but so did some of their loyal customers.

Our waiter didn’t even deserve the more than 15% tip that he received. After he was paid, he was a no show to us for further requests, like a simple toothpick to additional beverage orders. Out of sheer frustration and disappointment we just got up and left.

I doubt that Donatella’s will last much longer.

Owners, managers and waiters need to understand that customer loyalty to a restaurant goes hand in hand with the service, atmosphere and quality of the food.

Donatella’s has failed us miserably in...

Our visit to Donatella left much to be desired. Despite the lack of crowds and a serene ambiance, the quality of the food fell short of expectations. We ordered the 800-gram ribs accompanied by fries and creamed spinach, but the taste left us underwhelmed. The ribs appeared appealing, yet they tasted as though they had been microwaved before grilling, lacking the authentic flavor of freshly prepared meat.

Similarly, the Alfredo pasta seemed to be overwhelmed by the taste of cream, failing to deliver the expected richness and complexity. The pizza, named "tutto," had a bland base, lacking the distinctive flavors that one anticipates from a specialty pizza. Even the grilled calamari failed to impress, lacking seasoning and depth of flavor.

While the service from the waitstaff was adequate, it did not meet the standards set by other restaurants in the area. However, we appreciated the prompt arrival of our food, and the absence of long queues was a relief on a busy Friday night.

In summary, while the presentation of the food was appealing, the overall taste experience at Donatella was disappointing. With improvements needed in both culinary execution and service, Donatella has the potential to enhance its dining experience...

I dined at Donatella’s Monte Casino. Let me share my experience with you. 🍽️ Service: The service at Donatella’s was excellent. Notably, two managers were on the premises, ensuring a watchful eye over the dining experience. Friendly and efficient service can significantly enhance a meal. Pricing: Initially, the prices might appear expensive, but it’s essential to note that they include a salad or vegetables and a starch with the main dishes. This added value contributes to the overall dining experience. Food Quality: Our food at Donatella’s was nothing short of excellent. Each dish stood out, and the flavors were scrumptious. It’s refreshing to find options that aren’t mainstream but still deliver exceptional taste. I particularly enjoyed the 24-hour slow-roasted kleftiko, infused with a special blend of herbs. The tenderness and flavor were remarkable. Donatella’s offers a comfortable atmosphere , making it an inviting place to dine. Whether you’re craving Mediterranean or Italian cuisine, their extensive menu has something for everyone. If you’re in the area, I recommend giving Donatella’s a try. Buon...