 | G/F, Garley Building, 48 Peel Street, Soho, Central 中環卑利街48號地下 |
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 | South African | Bar | Casual Drink |
| 8  vs1 vs5 |
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| G/F, Garley Building, 48 Peel Street, Soho, Central 中環卑利街48號地下 |
|---|---|
| South African | Bar | Casual Drink |
| 8 vs1vs5 |
 | Taste  | Environment | Service | Hygiene | Value for Money |  |
 Alcoholic Drinks |  Phone Reservation |
 Live Music |
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African food in Hong Kong? Sounds interesting  , and given Open Rice's initial positive reviews we decided to give it a try. Having made the trek all the way up the slope (we wanted to build up an appetite, so we didn't take the escalator) we arrived just as they were opening, only to be told that the place was fully booked for the night and the following week and we would need to make a reservation next time. Tired and hungry were disheartened and more determined than ever to try Makumba... after all, it was popular enough to be booked solid a week in advance!Next time, we booked a table and arrived right at 6. The place was empty and the staff were busy getting the place ready. There was no table set aside for us and we were told to sit anywhere... so much for booking in advance. After reading the menu we waited for somebody to take our order... but nobody came for about 20 minutes. We just sat there and played with our cutlery and admired the spooky tribal decor. After we finally got their attention, our orders were taken... and we waited another 20 minutes for our food to arrive. With no other patrons in the restaurant, we could only assume the chef hadn't begun his shift yet, or was still drunk on the floor. The appetizers were kinda lame. Spicy meatballs looked to be deep fried and hard as rubber. The mini eggrolls were crispy, but I couldn't tell you what was in them without looking at the menu description. Our main courses consisted of a chicken stew, and fried fish. The stew was bony and the portion was very very small, served with rice and a very small bit of cabbage (for color, I assume, because there was no way it could even be considered a side as the portion probably amounted to a cabbage leaf the size of a post-it note). The fish was probably the boniest fish in the entire ocean. After picking out all the bones, we probably had enough meat to fill a shot glass.  The positive reviews really puzzle us, and we were left thinking that an authentic African culinary adventure had somehow eluded us. But then again, if an "authentic" African meal requires that you leave hungry, then this is your place! Recommended dishes: Meat-flavored Rubber Balls, Mini Eggrolls with Mystery Filing, Nearly Vegetarian Bony Chicken Stew, Fried Fish Skeleton with Limp Cabbage Garnish Table Wait Time: 0 minute(s)
Date of Visit: Aug 05, 2011 Spending per head: Approximately HKD200(Dinner) Other Ratings: Taste 1 | Environment 2 | Service 2 | Hygiene 2 | Value for Money 1
Recommend 0 |
Reading the previous review - it was a shame we didn't know abt the Group On offer - we paid almost $250 per person and vowed to come back with it, but after our visit the only thing I'll come back for is the live band. The food The 1st thing we were asked by the waiter was "did we have the Group On voucher" and were disappointed to hear that there was a "special menu" for those customers. So, we chose a-la-Carte. I remember from my 1 visit to an Ethopian restaurant (in North London) the interesting dish of this pancake-bread with bowls of food that you eat with your hand, by tearing off the bread. To me delight they did have this on the menu, but they then said we had to order in advance..! So we ordered a 3-stage platter of snacks. Spicy meatballs which were fine, spring rolls and also battered plantain. They were ok, not very filling and pretty pricey for what you're getting. We were told that pretty much half the menu we had to order a day in advance?! The drinks Drinks were African-inspired cocktails and the usual selection. Tried 4 cocktails between us they were fine but interesting how it was Happy Hour and still ended up costing $73 each (abt $95+ normal price). Service, decor and music This was a highpoint, the band is very good. Decor is well-done and looks great. Lighting is dimmed, good for couples on a date but also some areas used for large group gatherings. Date of Visit: Aug 05, 2011 Other Ratings: Taste 2 | Environment 3 | Service 3 | Hygiene 3 | Value for Money 1
Recommend 0 |
I go to this restaurant by using group coupon spending nearly $80 per person What I got is 1. The food size is too small, I think I need to eat cup noodles when come back home 2. The taste is bad We ordered the spring roll which is ok, but the noodle with pork was cooked for a long long time. It is too soft and no taste at all 3. The service is not good, the waiter ask us to seat at bar but there are plenty of seats elsewhere  4. The drink is a small cup only, need to order extra beer otherwise feel so thirsty I don't think such kind of food and service is acceptable in Central. Especially for the hygiene, the dirty food makes me no mood to eat at all  Other Ratings: Taste 1 | Environment 2 | Service 2 | Hygiene 1 | Value for Money 1
Recommend |
My friend from a business chamber recommended this place for my wife and I to have an Africa experience. We have arrived this place around 7:00pm and it was really an amazing experience. We have ordered the food and drinks the waiter recommended (mind you we had no idea what they will look and taste like). We were very impressed with the food, drinks and also the live music. We will definitely go there again in the near future.  Date of Visit: Jul 21, 2010 Other Ratings: Taste 5 | Environment 5 | Service 5 | Hygiene 5 | Value for Money 5
Recommend 0 |
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