The Sandstone Restaurant — Restaurant in Saldanha Bay Local Municipality

A Missed Opportunity at Sand Stone

I recently visited Sand Stone, and while the location is stunning, the experience fell short. The service was slow, with long wait times for drinks (close to 30 minutes) and food (over an hour). Our waiter seemed overwhelmed, and when we questioned the incorrect order, the response was unapologetic and dismissive.

We ordered a kid's Hawaiian pizza, but what arrived was a large, half-cooked pizza. When we pointed out the mistake, our waiter's response was, "Oh, is it not a kid's pizza?" – a surprising reaction, given the obvious discrepancy.

The food quality was inconsistent. The beer-battered hake was tough and watery, the burger resembled a meatball sandwich, and the schnitzel had an unpleasant sour taste.

Maintenance is a significant area for improvement. Tables are not leveled, causing drinks to spill, and some are even falling apart. The deck is weathered, and the kids' play area needs attention for safety reasons. It's surprising that these issues haven't been addressed, as they require minimal effort and basic DIY skills. A hammer, nails, a spade for leveling, a grinder to smooth sharp edges, and a fresh coat of paint or varnish would make a significant difference. These are tasks that staff or management could easily undertake with even the smallest amount of initiative. (Without the need for a repair committee) and it's actually not even the torn tent.

I understand that every establishment has off days, but the consistent issues we experienced suggest a need for improvement. Rather than complaining to management and waiting for a potentially lengthy resolution, I hope this feedback will be constructive.

To improve, I'd suggest focusing on:

Staff training for better service Quality control in the kitchen Regular maintenance to ensure safety and ambiance

With these changes, Sand Stone could live up to its potential and provide a great dining experience.

Now instead of sarcasm to defend what should not be defended rather use initiative to fix the issues.

Thank you for your time and hopefully this will help you better understand the issues

Rating: 2/5 stars

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I have been here a few times service has always been pretty bad. But the food was great and I mean "WAS" the view excellent and great atmosphere. But now it's only a great atmosphere. And it feels like it's not rustic anymore but actually falling apart with no noticeable maintenance been done. And it's expensive now much better places in the area for similar prices if not cheaper with every detail been better.

Won't come here again...

Restaurant does not adhere to smoking laws as it does not have a designated smoking area. People were smoking around the kids area and when voicing our concern to one waiter after the smokers refused to move from the kids play area she just told us the entire outdoor area is the smoking area (which is such a pity for non smokers and people with kids who want to enjoy the ocean view and breeze and watch their kids play while dining). She then mentioned that the kids area is not for smoking as typically anyone would know and that she will speak to the smokers to handle the situation but she did not, instead she moved us away from the view of the kids area to the non smoking section, the "indoors" which is a small patio section / semi enclosed. However the "smoking section" = entire outside section was only separated by a foot path and the actual inside of the restaurant which is on the other side is also a smoking area so we were still affected by the smoke on both sides which made our first time experience very unenjoyable. The 2 waiters showed no further regard to assist us on the matter and to not ruin our moods further, we did not bring it up and our kids had to just stay with us as multiple people continued to smoke at the kids play area even tho the entire outside section was allocated for smokers already. The food and atmosphere was amazing, prices very affordable just our specific waiter was very unprofessional, we waited long for our food, and when it came it was cold and I just asked for it to be reheated, didn't bother to complain but this visibly annoyed our waiter and she sent what looked like a trainee to fetch and bring our dishes, not checking up on our table once during our stay, wish we could have tipped him instead as he was being more of a professional waiter to us...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Sandstone Restaurant in Saldanha, and I was thoroughly impressed. Perched overlooking the stunning ocean and harbour, the restaurant boasts breathtaking views that set the tone for a memorable experience.

The tranquil ambiance is perfectly balanced, creating an ideal atmosphere for both leisurely lunches and special occasions. The décor is tasteful and understated, allowing the natural beauty of the surroundings to take center stage.

But what truly stole the show was the exceptional cuisine. Each dish was expertly prepared, presenting a delightful fusion of flavors and textures. Portion sizes were generous, and prices were remarkably reasonable, offering outstanding value for money.

The service was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, ensuring a seamless dining experience.

In short, Sandstone Restaurant is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a top-notch culinary experience in Saldanha. I highly recommend it and look forward to returning.

Highlights:

Stunning ocean and harbour views Tranquil ambiance Excellent cuisine Great value for money Attentive service

I would recommend it for

Special occasions Business lunches Family gatherings Romantic dinners Leisurely meals with a view

Will I...