Three weeks ago Brent and I celebrated our 13 year wedding anniversary with a weekend stay at The President Hotel in Bantry Bay. This award winning 4-star hotel with it’s superb location has incredible views of Lions Head and the Atlantic Ocean. It offers luxury facilities, gourmet style cuisine and fantastic guest relations. Sunday past we headed back to the hotel. With compliments of the President Hotel, we (including the girls) were invited to experience the Sunday lunch buffet at the hotel’s Island Restaurant. We knew that the food was going to be good as we’ve already experienced the restaurants’s cuisine during our stay at the hotel. Sunday lunch away from home is always a bonus as it saves us from cooking.
We received a warm welcome from the doorman and porters on arrival. On entering the Island Restaurant, friendly staff greeted us. The hostess escorted us to our reserved table. Our table was situated perfectly with the sun streaming in. Giving us a full view of the pool and patio area. The ambiance of the restaurant was cozy with it’s contemporary style. Making it the perfect setting for a Sunday lunch. We received warm greetings from the assistant hotel manager, Reinard Korf and Ashley Neff, the guest relations officer. Who visited our table. With all the attention given to us and the staff faffing over the girls; this made us feel very special.
The waitress took our drinks order after which we made our way to the buffet table. The layout and presentation of the food was beautiful. Attracted by the variety of mouth-watering options, you want to start tucking in immediately. Executive head chef, Craig Patterson, is responsible for creating this scrumptious feast every Sunday.
Starter options included delicious creamy butternut soup, complimented with a variety of cocktail bread rolls, butter and spreads. Presented on platters was an array of salads. The selection consisted of beetroot-, butternut-, waldorf-, diy salad, crab salad with it’s big chucks of grab meat topped with slivers of ginger and blue cheese and pear salad.
Unable to make a decision on what to select first, we dished small portions. Enabling us to experience a taste of everything. Brent and the girls packed away on the grab salad. Having a good helping of three portions. The girls constructed their own little salad with lots of feta cheese and olives (which they absolutely love). I started by having the butternut soup which was nutty, creamy and hearty. My ultimate favourite was the blue cheese and pear salad. The salad consisted of slices of soft poached pears scattered on a bed of spicy rocket leaves. Complimented well by the creamy blue cheese. It was absolutely divine.
As we enjoyed our meal, we listened to the sweet sounds of a talented local musician who provided the live entertainment.
I liked that the waiters and waitresses were very attentive. They cleared our plates immediately after each meal. Providing us with clean cutlery immediately.
Starters
The main course was as delectable as the starters. Presented in the form of a hot buffet and served in silver trays. Steaming with wholesome goodness. The main course featured the likes of roast chicken, succulent tender sirloin steaks, roast lamb, seafood ragout, chicken curry and fragrant basmati rice. Vegetables included cauliflower and broccoli drenched in cheese sauce, a medley of seasonal vegetables and roasted baby potatoes. Well seasoned and cooked perfectly made the food tasty. The girls enjoyed the creamy seafood ragout. This dish consisted of a generous amount of mussels, prawns and hake fillet pieces. The creamy chicken thai curry was flavourful. It had lavish amounts of tender chicken breast pieces, aubergine and baby marrow.
Main Course
After we enjoyed the main course, we took a bit of a break. We sat outside on the patio to enjoy the glorious weather. Set up on the grass patch close to the pool area was a jumping castle for the children to play on. The girls even lazed around at the pool area. Dipping their feet in the water to cool off.
Feeling ready to tuck into the dessert. We headed back inside to peruse the delectable offerings of dessert. The dessert assortments included individual sized lemon tarts topped with granadilla pulp, cups of panna cotta with a berry topping, cups of chocolate mousse, trifle, bread and butter pudding with custard and a cheese board. The chocolate mousse was rich and velvety topped with a splash of soft caramel toffee. It was nothing less than heavenly. We tried the panna cotta which was melt-in-the-mouth goodness. The panna cotta had a smooth, creamy texture. The berry sauce complimented it well. It was so good, we kept going back for more.
Dessert Table
We ate so much it was ridiculous. With our tummies all stuffed, we surely needed a bed to sleep on.
In all, it was a wonderful experience. A Sunday afternoon well spent at the President Hotel. The warm, cozy atmosphere and the food just completed the package. Compliments must be given to the Island Restaurant staff on their professionalism, Chef Patterson and his staff for preparing a delicious Sunday lunch buffet.
The Island Restaurant now offers the Sunday lunch buffet for only R199 per person and children under 10 eat for free. This is an absolute steal! The family-friendly Sunday lunch buffet comes highly recommended and it is the perfect excuse to head on over to the President hotel and spend your Sunday afternoon in style. I suggest you go hungry as there are so many delicious selections on offer.
Please note that bookings are essential on 021 434811 or email events@presidenthotel.co.za
A heartfelt thank you to the President Hotel for hosting us. We are looking forward to returning one day in the not too distant future!
***Disclaimer: Although we were hosted by the hotel, my opinion of the Sunday lunch buffet is that of my own, truthful and honest.
