KOI - Menlyn Maine — Restaurant in Gauteng

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Koi, a popular restaurant in Pretoria, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by a friendly hostess who promptly seated me at a table with a beautiful view of the restaurant's serene garden.

The ambiance at Koi was elegant and sophisticated, with dim lighting and tasteful decor. The seating was comfortable, and the overall atmosphere was relaxed and intimate.

The menu at Koi offered a wide range of Asian-inspired dishes, from sushi and sashimi to stir-fries and noodle dishes. I decided to start with the miso soup, which was flavorful and comforting. The broth was rich and had just the right amount of saltiness, and the tofu and seaweed added a nice texture to the soup.

For my main course, I opted for the crispy duck with plum sauce. The duck was perfectly cooked, with a crispy skin and tender meat. The plum sauce added a sweet and tangy flavor that complemented the richness of the duck. The dish was served with a side of steamed vegetables and jasmine rice, which were cooked to perfection.

To end the meal, I couldn't resist trying the green tea ice cream. It was the perfect balance of creamy and refreshing, with a subtle green tea flavor that was not overpowering. It was a delightful way to cleanse the palate after the meal.

The service at Koi was exceptional. The waitstaff was attentive and knowledgeable, providing recommendations and ensuring that I had a pleasant dining experience. The food was served promptly and was beautifully presented.

Overall, my experience at Koi was outstanding. The combination of delicious food, elegant ambiance, and attentive service made for a memorable dining experience. I would highly recommend Koi to anyone looking for a high-quality Asian dining experience...

Disappointed and Underwhelmed – Not Worth the Hype

We recently visited Koi in Menlyn Maine and unfortunately, the experience left much to be desired. From the moment we were seated, the service was underwhelming. Our waiter didn’t even introduce himself or give us his name, which already set the tone.

My mom found a piece of food in her salmon poke bowl that clearly didn’t belong. The waiter took it back without offering an apology, although they did bring her a replacement. As if that wasn’t enough, there was also a hair in my brother’s sushi – completely unacceptable for a place that claims to be high-end.

While the rest of the table got their meals, I was still waiting. The waiter had clearly forgotten my order and had to ask me again what I had ordered. It finally arrived about 15 minutes later. He didn’t check in with us at all during the meal, only stopping by to collect empty dishes. My dad’s line fish portion was so small, it felt like more of a tasting sample than a meal.

To top it off, the food was average at best – not terrible, but certainly not worth the price or the hype. The only thing Koi really has going for it is the aesthetic – the space is beautiful. But good looks don’t make up for poor service and forgettable food.

After paying the bill, the waiter just said a quick “thank you” and walked off. No “have a good day,” no acknowledgment that it was Easter weekend. It felt like we were just another table to get through.

We...

I was very excited to try this restaurant by invitation from one of our suppliers, all went great during starters early afternoon on Saturday with great food being presented and also great service however as it got busy for the evening rush at the time our mains arrived to the table my lamb was cold I asked for it to be replaced with warm food that took forever to come, with a complement of 16 people at our table the food come in drips and drabs, with all sorts of issues from some people not receiving all their food to some done eating before others even got their food. I eventually received my lamb dish without my fries but it was raw with others at our table also complaining they'd receive their food raw and cold service at this point walked out the door with us having to chase down waiters to get a drink. Our desert arrived only a couple of minutes before our show we came to see at the arena so we tried to gulp it down to be in time but eventually left it cause it was way over salted on the ice cream. Great place great location nice vibe but seems like rush time all the wheels came off. I will not...