Fick's Pool Restaurant — Restaurant in Overstrand Local Municipality

This restaurant has incredible views, no doubt about it, which is what the 2 stars are for. Unfortunately, it is also one of those restaurants that confirms my theory that restaurants in the Western Cape with amazing views, have poor service. There are very few exceptions to the norm unfortunately.

My family went for a bite & a sundowner on the recommendation of the B&B at which we were staying last Friday evening. We were given a great table overlooking the pool and menus swiftly. The place was busy in one of the sections, but not the other, so it was basically at 50% capacity, if that. We put in a drinks order for 1 x pint, 1 x still bottle of water, 1 kids pizza and 2 tapas (the chimichurri fillet and the flash fried calamari).

I left my wife at the table and took my young kids for a run up the path as they were dying to go exploring. We were gone for at least 10 minutes and when I returned, no drinks had arrived yet. We waited another 5 minutes or so until I got up and went to ask the waitress what had happened to the drinks (two very quick, easy things to bring - not exactly cocktails or milkshakes) and she said she was busy with other tables. The drinks arrived about 20 minutes later at the same time as the meals! What makes it all the more frustrating, is that as you sit waiting for your drinks, you can see the barmen just chilling out - not sure why they aren't instructed to bring the drinks to the table if they are not busy? The service ethic at this restaurant is definitely on SUPER chill mode. How can the drinks arrive at the same time as the food, which has to be made from scratch?

To add insult to injury, when the food came it wasn't hot. The cheese on the kids pizza had already solidified, the steak was cold and the calamari was OK. The prices were also eye-watering! 6 or 7 small slivers of fillet - R95, the flash fried calamari - R85, the locally-brewed craft beer R59 (this is more expensive that an imported Guinness from Ireland at most upmarket Cape Town pubs!)... All in all, it came to around R400 for 1 beer, 1 water, 1 kids pizza and two tiny, cold tapas.

Compared to the tapas meal we had recently at Kleine Salze in Somerset West, which was pricey but great value for money, this was an EPIC fail. We definitely would not return! Ludicrous. There is a clock ticking on this place - I'll be extremely surprised if it makes it to 2022 unless they have a long hard look at their business processes and offering. Such a shame as it has...

A beautiful setting around a tidal pool and the ocean. Needless to say, expect to pay a slight premium; but when the service is so professional and friendly and the food is totally sublime, it makes that cost well worth it. They service Spanish type tapas (I guess), with craft beers, ciders, and other cocktails etc. The lightly dusted calamari, was so delicate and tender. One of our party said it was “like eating a cloud”. The crispy prawns were crispy, as promised. Yet they were still beyond moist; juicy is a way better description. The wings were cooked to perfection and served with just the right amount of sticky, gooey and slightly spicy sauce. We also had crispy and fluffy potato wedges with the most amazing rub. So good that they didn’t require any dipping sauce. But when one is the most delicate aioli and the other, a subtle Romesco sauce; it would be almost a crime not to dunk them! The last meal that we ordered was almost like a pizza, but the base was not the usual dough base- it was more like a pastry base. Topped with sautéed onions, chorizo, courgettes, fresh tomato, rocket and mozzarella. Amazing flavours that all worked very well together. Elias made the whole dining experience all the better (he gave me permission to include his photo) he was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. A great dining experience all round. We would definitely go back. Highly recommended. Ps. They don’t take bookings- which is perfect...

My partner and I had a wonderful start to the occasion. We were quickly placed at a table on arrival and the manager and host were very welcoming. Our waiter was very courteous and explained all that was on the menu and even went as far as warning us that meals are not in large portions. Considering the steep price for the food and the small portions given , we felt we were pleasant paying customers.

A breeze started to pick up and we were initially offered a table in the shade.

We casually waited for a family to leave a table in the sun and kindly asked our waiter if we could move once they had left. He said yes and so we moved over.

To our dismay, the waitress serving at that table was extremely rude and treated us like a charity case with no form of patience. She immediately told us "that's not how things are done here. You need to ask the host first", and besides mentioning that the waiter said we could shift. She hardly listened and just responded "you need to go back to your old table"

My experience had quickly turned sour and I felt no need to stay any longer.

Ficks restaurant has a stunning location, I just wish that the service provided could be half as great. Please correct the error in your seating flexibility. I would love to pay absorbent amounts of money and walk away without feeling that I committed a crime.

To the next person, I hope your...