Gordon Ramsay, Maze Restaurant at the One & Only Hotel, Cape Town blew my mind last night.
I expected you to march in there, throw one of your famous temper tantrums, tell us to get the fuck out of your restaurant (and here and here) because we are not worthy to be on the same continent as you, and basically just see a lot of people with the fear of death in their eyes.
Gordon, your restaurant actually did two things for me last night, the public opening. Firstly, I now know what a restaurant experience should be like. Secondly, you have spoiled all other restaurants for me for ever and ever. Ok, I am a bit of a drama queen, but you get my point.
The restaurant look absolutely amazing, and even though we were not there to look at the décor, we were all really impressed. The service was fantastic, to such an extend that at one point we thought maybe the service was too good? I know Gordon, what a stupid thing to say! We quickly decided that in fact the service was just perfect.
Getting to the food Gordon, here is where my life changed a bit. On your recommendation, we decided to order 4 different starters, and then share the portions. Fantastic idea, thank you very much. Every single taste made me forget my wine a little bit more, which is quite an achievement if you know me. The outstanding dish among outstanding dishes was the crab. How on earth do you get the meat so soft? Well done china, you did well.
Main meal I went for wagyu. Bare with me here, as I might get a bit religious as I progress, but surely Gordon; you must have had divine intervention when you thought of this dish. PJ on the other side of the table decided to order a “normal” rump steak to compare it with the wagyu. What a good idea. Half way through my waguy, PJ dared me to taste the difference between the two, and at this moment the light from above started shining on my plate. The normal rump was tough compared to the wagyu, and this should tell you how soft that steak really was. In any normal restaurant the rump would have been a gift from the gods, but the rump can just not compare to the wagyu. At R150.00 / 100g of wagyu, I think it’s underpriced. Seriously. I should have ordered more than the 200g I chose initially.
Dessert was ice cream time. I love ice cream, Gordon, and the plainer the better. Vanilla is my absolute favourite. Well, until last night Gordon. From now on, my absolute favourite will be your basil ice cream. Yes Gordon, a basil flavoured ice cream. Gordon, if you could try your hands at a rosemary ice cream, I would be indebted to you forever!
Gordon, my only wish was that you had time to come say hi to us. I realised you were very busy with running this small business thing of yours, so I forgive you. At least I managed to kiss Jean-Philippe. That’s right; I hugged him. Gordon, maybe it was good that you didn’t come to our table. I would have had difficulty behaving.
Well done, bru. You did well.
Total cost: Who cares?
June 21st, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Hallo Kaptein
I stumbled on this site while trying to get information about G Ramsay Maze on where to book. However, after I read the above comments I don’t think I want to dine there.
Where in Cape Town do you suggest I spent my birthday on 30 July 2010? I read about a restaurant where you look at sports cars through a windo, but can’t remember the name. I know Emily’s, but want to dine at something else this time.
We will be in Cape Town for three nights from 29 July 2010.
Danie
April 20th, 2010 at 10:18 am
When will Gordon be in cape town??? Is Maze his resturant?? Have i been living under a rock?
February 20th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
No joke – this was the worst restaurant I have ever eaten at. I’m from Napa Valley and have worked in the industry for over 8 years.
The story –
We went with a party of 12 during their opening. Taking teething problems into consideration, this is still what happened….
- Dinner took 2 hours to come out
- ALL of our steaks were overcooked. When we spoke to the manager they brought in from the UK, this is what he said
‘This is the way we cook it. It’s right. What you do not understand is that there are different temperatures in different time zones. It’s right’
I replied, ‘Do you honestly believe we are comparing the metric system?’
Then he walked away.
Who the !@# would say that? Does he think that all Africans are uneducated? Or do they not have eyes or taste buds?
The whole night he was cocky. He spoke down to the table and did not listen.
- All meat cuts were wrong except for one. They gave me a rump and claimed it was a ‘bone-in rib eye’. The manager actually began arguing with me.
He only let up when I picked up the piece of meat and saying,
‘Then where is the bone!??’
He shut up and walked away.
- Dessert was also bad. Pastry undone, etc.
- One person got a good filet
It’s almost been a year since we ate there and I wanted to post this because it was that BAD.
Cape Town offers a ton of GREAT steak houses. This is not even in the running. It’s overpriced and simply crap.
I really hope Ramsey reads this and identifies this UK manager.
March 17th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Thanks RC. I must admit you are not the first person who told me about the drop in quality at Maze. I have heard similar stories from various people. I won’t be going back to that restaurant, so I won’t be in a position to give an update on the place.
Thanks for your update though, now I know that after the initial opening standard, the quality dropped substantially. Many have said so.
September 21st, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Please check spelling before posting anything. It detracts from the whole picture when reports and/or comments are littered with bad spelling and poor grammar.
September 21st, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Brendan
I completely agree with you.
Thanks
September 1st, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I dined at the Maze with four friends and found the menu dreary and service disappointing. The Chef substituted an order with out informing my guest. The waiter didn’t have a clue about the menu and the maitre d’ was no where to be seen. The wine list was boring; the only highlight was the lack of knowledge of the Sommelier, which was the joke of the evening. The restaurant like the hotel it is housed in is over priced, pretentious and lacks sustenance. I can’t see the hotel or the restaurant surviving long term.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Hi Bob
That’s fascinating to hear. We haven’t been back for a while, so I was wondering what was happening there. I know the guys from Europe were here for 3 months to make sure everything was up to standard. From your post it seems they should have stayed here for a while longer? I must say, I have always found the hotel (NOT the restaurant) service to be shocking.
August 17th, 2009 at 11:53 am
I cannot wait to experience Maze. Reading the reviews, it must obviously be an experience of a lifetime. We follow all Gordon Ramsay’s television appearances. We’re big fans. We hope to see you soon. Our 10th Wedding Anniversary will be on 07 October 2009 and this is what we will do – A GORDON RAMSAY EXPERIENCE.
August 18th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Eloise
After writing the original post, we went for a second time, to celebrate my wife’s birthday. What an amazing experience once again. The price of beef went up dramatically, but the food was amazing.
Enjoy your anniversary.
KC
April 15th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Great atmosphere awesome service average food. I personally think that we have a number of restaurants in South Africa that serve a far better and more interesting plate of food at a far better price. Mr Ramsay has his work cut out for him if Maze Cape Town intends being there after the novelty of eating in a RAMSAY establishment has worn off. I have been fortunate enough to eat at his place in New York which was a fantastic experience unfortunatley I cannot say the same for Maze Cape Town.
Come on Gordon lift your game
April 15th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Hey Brent
We were there on opening night, so maybe the restaurant is going down the drain already? HA!
Maybe I am easily pleased, and too much of a fan, but for us the night was fantastic. Our friends who accompanied us are infamous for ALWAYS complaining in restaurants, and that night they had absolutely nothing to complain about. It was a new and weird experience for them.
Ons question though, is it true that his other restaurants are a lot smaller than Maze Cape Town?
April 14th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Mrs Monkey, I can taste the dessert in my mouth while typing this reply. Thanks for letting me know how much you enjoyed the restaurant, it seems I am not the only Maze fan.
April 12th, 2009 at 7:06 am
Our first experience was a very good one last Friday night. We Have already booked a return as there is so much more of interest to order on the menu. In addition my plan is to also order more of the same as my eyes were bigger than my tummy! Despite not finishing our starters and main courses we did order dessert. A lighter choice – selection of sorbet. The best we have ever tasted in the world thus far! Then coffee and received complimentary delights with the coffee which we promptly gobbled up despite already having had an elegant sufficiency!
April 5th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Hi Rubin
We paid R2900 for 4 people….
You can get away for less if you want.
April 5th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
ohhhhh!!!! The excitement is building….
Waiting for your feedback.
April 5th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
60 mins to Maze….will report back later this eve…
April 5th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Hi there,
i do care about the price as this friday i am arriving CPT for a week and maybe they will find me a table.
Thx.
April 4th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Allison, I am seriously jealous!
Please let me know how you experienced Maze, would you please?
April 4th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
my turn tomorrow eve…can’t wait to experience it~