Wining and dining at JennaVIVA
21 Apr 2009
If you're planning to propose to your loved one, celebrate an anniversary, or need an intimate setting for a night out with the significant people in your life then JennaVIVA will provide the perfect atmosphere for that special occasion. Based in the cosy laid-back town of Somerset West it is a bit of a drive from the CBD, but if you need to get away from the constant buzz that is the city, then make your way North to this boutique restaurant.
It is a serene, warm atmosphere with a colour scheme of black and white. Delicious mouth-watering aromas filled the air so I could barely wait to have a look-see at the menu and what was on offer. To start us off, Ruth and I ordered a bottle of Elgin Vinters 2007 Rose. It had a crisp taste with a tad of fruitiness that left a lingering aftertaste - great wine. For starters, Ruth ordered a sweet chilli prawn salad which according to her, was delicious. I decided to try out the tomato and celery soup, which turned out to be the best of my three-course meal. It was thick and divinely flavourful. I had to resist from having it all or else I would have had no place for the main course.
Ruth then ordered a medium-done beef fillet with mash potato and I, after mulling through the various options - from fish to pasta to salads - decided to go with the lamb shank with mash potato and vegetables. We both agreed that the red meat dishes did lack spice and flavour though my meal was well prepared with the lamb succulently tender. Ruth however found her fillet unsatisfactory as underneath the medium-done outside, the beef was still rather rare on the inside. She looked at me with discontent as her mash changed from a fluffy white mass to an unappetising red. We were both disappointed with the main course meals as the mash turned out to be the best-tasting dish on our plates.
I, for one, was looking forward to dessert as no matter how bad your day has been, something sweet and tantalising always manages to make everything better. Ruth ordered the chocolate tro delight - chocolate mousse, a brownie and chocolate rice pudding. She was very happy with her choice enjoying every last bit of it. I ordred a chocolate brownie in hot cream. While the brownie was divine in taste it was really hard to pierce a fork through and I managed to make quite a spectacular mess of the table cloth in my attempt to devour it. I gave up half-way through so as not to embarass myself or injure any passerbys who might be struck by a brownie in flight.
It's a lovely restaurant though, it has a great feel and vibe. The terrace is great for enjoying sundowners with friends.
Service - 4/5
Food Presentation - 5/5
Food - 3/5
Hygiene - 5/5
About Sindy Peters
Sindy Peters (@sindy_hullaba_lou) is a group editor at Bizcommunity.com on the Construction & Engineering, Energy & Mining, and Property portals. She can be reached at moc.ytinummoczib@ydnis.
