Others seem to love it, so I recommend trying it out yourself.Verdicchio Restaurant and Wine Cellar is situated in the heart of Montecasino based in Fourways, Sandton, Johannesburg. Also, I believe this is a new restaurant and the menu online didn't match the menu in the restaurant, so perhaps they are trying out things to see what works. However, I think it comes down to weighing out the pros and cons. We have eaten in fine dining restaurants in other places, so I can compare prices and portion sizes to those. The side salad (which was $6 or $7) was ridiculously small.
The entrees came with only one small side and did not include a salad. Gross, but I didn't want anyone to have to do the Heimlich on me. It was so tough that I chewed and chewed and chewed, and then I could not even get it chewed enough to swallow. I actually should have complained, but I didn't. While the filet was good, the bistro steak was horrible. The hard bread with olive spread that they brought wasn't good, and I'm not a picky person. Remember, this is an extremely small restaurant so we were clearly visible. We finally approached the cashier, who was directly beside us.
No one acknowledged us when we went into the restaurant and for a full 5 minutes after standing inside the restaurant. was very good, and the potato souffle', consisting of both white and sweet potatoes, was delicious! We are not wine drinkers, so I can't comment on that, but I'm sure that would also enhance the experience if you were a wine lover. The atmosphere is nice and cozy with candlelight and cloth tablecloths. There were good things and not so good things during our particular visit. It's so nice to know we don't have journey to other towns to enjoy chef prepared meal with fresh, quality ingredients. We will definitely be back & hope others will recognize & support this establishment. Our server was exceptionally attentive and knowledgeable to answer questions. The pricing was also reasonable for a 4 course meal and bottle of wine. Victoria & Gerald have created a hidden gem for a fine dining experience in our small hometown of Lexington.
The entire evening was a pleasant surprise. We ended our meal with a cream brulee and coffee. The scallops were seared to perfection yet delicate it as like cutting into butter. The salmon was phenomenal and presentation made every bite a delight. Stunning plates, packed with flavor and texture. My husband had the scallops over rice with sauteed green beans. For our entrees, I had the salmon over a mash with pickled red cabbage and sauteed green beans. Once again, a beautifully presented plate and the flavor met the visual appeal. We followed with a nice Napa Salad with fresh mixed greens, avacado and a light vinaigrette. It was an absolutely gorgeous plate and the tastes & textures exceeded our expectations. We had the crab stuffed shrimp with saffron aioli & micro greens for an appetizer. We tasted a couple varieties and selected a nice cabernet. My only regret is that I didn't snap some pictures of. We often travel to neighboring cities for the type of fine dining experience we had there. The hubby and I had the opportunity to visit this hidden gem last night. Overall, we had a special dining experience while catching up with good friends in a perfect setting. The owner stopped by during our meal to make sure we were happy with the food and service. For dessert, we shared a wonderful cheesecake. I had the pan blackened grouper with spicy lemon remoulade which was delicious. My wife raved about how good her entrée was … seared Ahi Tuna crusted with sesame seed and black pepper and a wasabi ginger sauce. Next, we split an excellent Caesar salad. My wife and I started with a delicious appetizer of bacon wrapped Medjool dates served with sharp cheddar, pesto, and Thai sweet chili. Our service was prompt, cordial, and attentive thanks to Logan. where we could catch up after months of not seeing each other. The owner, Victoria, seated us in a private dining room. We all enjoyed an amazing gourmet dinner in a beautiful setting.
While there, our friends took us to dinner at Wine Sellars Bistro. Recently, we visited life-long friends who now live just outside Lexington, NC.