Perlemoen Seafront Restaurant — Restaurant in Overstrand Local Municipality

To my wife and I, going out for a meal is always an event. It is not just about the food but everything: the ambiente, the service, the vistas, all the little details of hospitality. The location is beautiful. On a rock in the Old Harbour, small, intimate tables overlook the ocean. The food partially matched it. Going to Perlemoen suggests that one tries abalone. We both had a starter, and it was beautifully presented and very tasty. The main meals though fell short of the promise delivered by the first courses. My wife had smoked salmon pasta. She had anticipated that there would be pieces of fish, but it rather felt like a salmon pesto sauce. I had the chowder. Although it was very fresh, it was also bland, like my wife’s main course. It was interesting to observe other guests also using the pepper and salt at their tables. I may be a bit over the top by the statement I am about to make. But I believe, there is some truth in it. In a very good restaurant, having salt and pepper at the table is a bad sign. It should never be necessary. But perhaps, we just hadn’t chosen their signature dish. It once happened to me in a Michelin star restaurant. Everyone in our group raved about their meals. I had selected a new take on a burger, and it simply didn’t work. So, perhaps, we just had bad luck on that day, especially after hearing other people rave about the restaurant. Let’s just leave it here. They won an award, and I am sure they worked hard to get there. But – as I said, having lunch or dinner in a restaurant is always an event in which every detail counts. And in this case, we didn’t really feel welcome by the staff, respectively what might have been the manager. There was no passion in waiting on us. Waiting is an art not to be underestimated. One isn’t supposed to get close to guests and keep a professional distance, yet at the same time there needs to be engagement with the guests. When there is passion for one’s creations, there is also warm communication and attention. And then, even a slightly flawed meal can be an event. Unfortunately, that was not the case today. On the way out, the second waiter who had welcomed us, didn’t even look at us...

After the positive press we thought to give it a try. We had to reserve by sending a WhatsApp which was duly accepted. When we arrived they could not find our reservation, but was told we could sit anywhere, which we did. The view is spectacular in the Old Harbour of Hermanus. We ordered two glasses of bubbly which was not served exactly cold. We asked about specials and the waiter told us about Cerviche. We wanted to know which fish? He didn't really know and eventually told us Tuna. Not being too sure about this we asked to see the chef. Eventually the other waiter came (with superior attitude) and told us the Cerviche was Perlemoen? We ordered a bottle of Bouchard Finlayson Kaaimansgat which was sublime. We opted for the seafood Platter for 2. At R 500.00 we expected a serving similar to what we get in Portugal in a seafront restaurant. What a let down.! Half the small pan was filled with rice, a small portion of fish, prawns, perlemoen strips and little mussels. We ordered bread at R 75.00 which arrived after the 3rd request and was toasted and bought probably from a local Cafe. We did not stay for coffee or desert. Great location, poor & slow service and average food. Next time we would probably seek the local fish and chips shop, which the owner suggests in one of...

They say location is everything, in this instance it is not. The food was average and overpriced and the Manager of this establishment should choose a new profession as they clearly don’t like dealing with people. Some friendly advice - try smiling at people when they arrive with a friendly welcome and hello. Also don’t ask people if they enjoyed their meal if you are not interested in listening to what they have to say. Your response to my review comes as no surprise. You are a complete Muppet. I see where your staff get their attitude from. I don’t care if your prices are the cheapest in Hermanus for what you get it’s expensive and average to match. A spot down the Walkway Bietang Cave is more my Vibe. Same price range but quality food with friendly staff to match. Get out of the Food Industry and into an industry where you don’t have to deal with people. Open a Catering Company in Retirement Village where you can serve average food and people don’t speak back. That’s definitely more your vibe you Muppet. Looking at all your one stars I’m not the only one that thinks you...