The restaurant fell short of my expectations in many regards.

The double volume area, where we were seated upstairs is more like a discotheque than a restaurant. The result is that the mezzanine level is so loud any attempt at conversation is completely drowned out by loud club music. One could argue that I should know its a vibey place and thus could chose someplace quieter if its conversation I’m after.Granted. But this place is so loud that the American waitress (who I am willing to wager; has no work permit for South Africa) could not make herself heard above the din. It was impossible to order drinks and when it came time to place our food order, the best she could manage to explain the menu, was a limp-wristed and half-hearted gesture, pointing at a stamp on the brown paper table-cloth. Which explained in a Henry Ford kind of way that steak and chips was all that was available. The two vegetarians at our table, were left with a mushroom and chips alternative. One ordered it and the other passed, having dined at HQ before and knowing that R140.00 for three table spoon sized mushrooms was just not on.

The quality of the meat was satisfactory, although it was difficult to enjoy, due to the smoke filled atmosphere in which we had to dine.(Not to mention that R140.00 buys a good steak in virtually any restaurant in town).The double volume area, which has diners eating upstairs and party-goers cavorting downstairs has no demarkated smoking area. So those puffing away on the dance floor, are doing it in the same room as those who are sitting and eating. It is disgusting.

The worst part of the HQ experience, happened after dinner. We were a party of ten people and spent about R2000.00 on nine main courses and drinks, apart from what we had ordered before dinner in the bar. Once we had settled the bill, we planned to have a celebratory drink, in the bar section.

Our party was momentarily split up, as I went to greet a friend in the crowd, some went looking for a bathroom and my wife, who is five months pregnant, stepped outside the entrance door for some fresh air, the smoke from the dining area was getting to her. I saw her standing outside the door when I came down the stairs and said to the “bouncer” that I would like to step out to her, before returning for an after dinner drink. He smiled smugly and shook his head. I told him that we had just spend R2000 on dinner and would like to re-join our friends inside. This time he simply answered “No”. No explanation just a dead-pan “no”. One of the other couples who had dined with us, were also not allowed back in after stepping out for some fresh air. I am not in the habit of pleading with idiots,and accepted that this was the end of my brothers birthday celebration. My pregnant wife was standing in the street I was mortified at this treatment after spending a good deal of money in this “low quality” environment.

HQ needs to decide whether they are a restaurant or a nightclub. So I caution anyone who is planning to spend their hard earned money at this themed, scam of a restaurant. And I pledge that i will never visit this establishment again and make it my business to warn as many unsuspecting diners as i can of the utterly unacceptable, downright rude treatment that they are potentially about to endure.

Falk Eggert

I am the poor man that is going nearly mad, please edit this post, please!

I see that Dax is claiming he is the originator, well I have words for Dax, but this isn’t the forum for those expletives

I see you’ve made a couple of additions and 1 or 2 changes, but this list is originally from my post at Relax with Dax.

So if you’d like to give me credit for my hard work, here is the original post:

http://www.relax-with-dax.co.za/?p=1179

I have since added about 10 specials and made some changes as some of the specials are not completely accurate.

Nice touch to list all the winter specials for restaurants. Only problem is some poor chap is getting all the phone calls for Catharina’s as the phone number is incorrect… It is 021 713 2222. Every website about food has it wrong and this poor man is going nearly mad. Please will you change yours? lots a luv Sandy