Vadas Smokehouse & Bakery — Restaurant in Stellenbosch Local Municipality

What a disappointment!

Our visit to the Spier winefarm today was a huge disappointment. We wanted to go to the Vadas restaurant. The security guard at the gate sent us to the palm trees. So we drove there, only to find out that there were no parking spaces. There was NOBODY there to show us where there were we could find parking. When we finally found the place, a large part was cordoned off. Still no parking attendants. We then went to the self-service part of Vadas, where we waited for the 3rd person, who was taken to Spier by someone. The driver was stopped at one of the first parking spaces when you get into Spier. He was not allowed to drive any further and take our companion to the Vadas restaurant. So she had to walk all the way.

By now, it was half past one. So the three of us went to the served part of the restaurant. The person, probably the head of the serving staff, greeted us with a - for South Africa - very unfriendly face expression. If we had a reservation? We hadn't. She actually wanted to send us away (!), even though about one third of the restaurant was empty! We asked about the empty tables - her answer came in an angry, rude tone. Then I wanted to know if we could wait, how long it would take, etc. She still wanted to get rid of us, by not offering any assistance at all. In contrary. When she realized that this wasn't so easy to get rid of us, we suddenly moved from «3rd place» in the "queue" to 2nd and immediately to 1st place and we were given a table that didn't have a reservation sign. No other guests were waiting to be seated nor were all the tables occupied during our entire stay. I have to assume that she blatantly lied to our faces. I don't understand why she wanted to send us away. Was the staff too lazy to serve us? It can hardly have been because of the color of my friends' skin - it was the same as that of the employees. Could it be that the staff in Spier are treated badly and therefore are not motivated?

By the way: The food was excellent. Unfortunately, the behavior of the service staff often counts more than the quality of the food. Mediocre food with courteous service is perceived as disproportionately better than excellent food served by unfriendly staff. In our case, it was mainly the person who received (I can’t say «welcomed» us). The waitress was OK. But it couldn't be compared to other experiences we've had in all the years in South Africa. It’s really sad. Spier could be such a beautiful place. Unfortunately, I will have to avoid it fort he rest of my life! Btw., all in all - with the drinks and the ice cream from the self-service part - we spent ZAR 1,400.-

Oh - on top of everything, they brought us the bill with already 12% tip included ....!!!! Also that has never happened to me! That's what is done if there is a party of 8 or so. But NEVER with only 3 people. Spier -...

Vadas at Spier Wine Farm: A Culinary Gem

Nestled within the picturesque Spier Wine Farm, Vadas is a culinary oasis that leaves an indelible mark on one's taste buds and dining experience. During our visit, we explored both the outdoor and indoor seating areas, and from the moment we entered until our departure, the service was nothing short of delightful and well-timed. The restaurant's manager, a prominent figure overseeing the operation, ensured that every aspect ran seamlessly, creating an atmosphere of attentive care.

Now, let's dive into the gastronomic journey we embarked upon. The "Beef Brisket Pastrami" was a showstopper in its own right. A thick, succulent cut that yielded effortlessly to our knives, it was served alongside perfectly crispy onion rings and a tantalizing salsa verde. The marriage of flavors here was sublime, with the salsa's touch of saltiness complementing the rich, smoky meat, leaving a lasting impression.

The smoked ribs, bathed in a bourbon barbecue sauce, were a revelation. As we cut into them, they practically fell off the bone, showcasing the expert craftsmanship in the kitchen. The sauce, sweet and tantalizingly delicious, coated each morsel, creating a heavenly contrast of flavors and textures that made every bite a pleasure.

A highlight of our visit was the "Fat Butcher" pizza. With a remarkably light and crispy base, it immediately won us over. Toppings that boasted an array of flavors danced harmoniously on the palate, making it a favorite among our selections.

Overall, our experience at Vadas was nothing short of exceptional. The atmosphere exuded a vibrant and inviting vibe, and we left with a yearning to return and explore the bakery offerings. Vadas at Spier Wine Farm is a culinary destination that deserves every food enthusiast's attention, where memorable flavors and impeccable service converge to create an unforgettable...

My husband and I visited Vadas on the 2nd of April and our visit was a little underwhelming. When we got to the restaurant, the manager (I presume that he was the manager) couldn't not find our reservation, it was only after the waitress next to him pointed it out, that our reservation was found. We were seated outside which was very lovely and vibey. The menu items looked a little pricey but we presumed that the portions would be of a decent size. The service was extremely SLOW and we had to flag down someone to serve us because no one really came to check on us. We ordered a bottle of wine and proceeded to order our mains. We got the lamb ribs, buttermilk fried chicken and a flat bread. We are not big eaters and believed that this would be sufficient for us. When the ribs arrived, it was literally TWO riblets on the plate with a heaped amount of side salad. We were not expecting an entire rack of ribs or anything but TWO little riblets for that price is just a scam!! However, with that said, the riblets were very delicious, they were tender and had great flavour on them. The flatbread and dip was also good. The fried chicken was okay but really not worth the price. Throughout, there was absolutely ZERO service and when we were done eat eating, our plates were not even removed from the table. Again we had to flag someone down to get some dessert. We got the pecan pie and the pasteis de nata - both of which were scrumptious. We then asked for the bill and while we were aware of the compulsory service fee, we felt absolutely robbed because we did not receive any service at all. However, the service fee is automatically added to the bill so there is nothing one can do about it but one should be able to contest this, especially if no service...