REVIEW: More Cravings dining experience – here’s why it’s worth it

Marriott Bonvoy, the highly awarded loyalty travel programme from Marriott International, has launched a new popular dining platform and experience called More Cravings in South Africa, which is definitely worth every single cent.

Guests can enjoy an exquisite three-course dining experience at just under R400 per person, excluding drinks.

This dining platform allows locals and visitors in South Africa to discover a wealth of amazing food and social experiences at 24 different venues in eight different cities across the country, such as the Bull Run at Protea Hotel by Marriott Balalaika Sandton, the Keystone Bistro at Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch or the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban Umhlanga Ridge.

We popped into Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! restaurant – Protea Hotel by Marriott Menlyn – to experience its new and popular dining offering.

As soon as we entered the venue we were met with the biggest smiles and kindest greetings, just before being ushered to our table which was situated next to a wide window which showed the gorgeous view of the hotel’s swimming pool and outdoor area.

A lovely waitress then handed us menus and assured us we were in good hands.

Seeing as though it was the end of a fruitful week and the beginning of a lazy-do-nothing weekend, I decided to indulge in a gorgeous, fruity pink cocktail which had bursts of floral gin and a lemon, zesty kick.

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Deciding on starters was not an easy task, because the simpleton in me was dying for the usual starter of chicken wings, but the me who was on an adventure won the battle and ordered the Spicy Tiger, which had a mix of smoked cheese, Portuguese chicken strips and sesame grilled prawns on a green salad.

The Spicy Tiger exceeded all expectations. The entire dish was prepared to perfection, the portion was plentiful and each element of the dish was spiced perfectly, creating a flavourful experience which confirmed I would definitely be returning for more.

My best friend succumbed to her usual cravings and opted for chicken wings as her starter. The wings were deep fried and fell off the bone, perfectly coated with a barbeque glaze.

In no time, shocked but impressed, we were served with our mains. I had ordered the Man Eater, a 300g matured rump steak with parmesan potato bake, seasonal baby vegetables and a whiskey-infused mushroom sauce.

I wanted my steak to be prepared medium to well, and that is exactly what I got. It was incredible – seasoned to perfection and no match for the steak knife as it cut like butter.

The potato bake was the perfect portion, deliciously creamy, with a roasted, crunchy outer crust and soft, melt-in-your-mouth inner texture.

My partner in crime ordered the La La Lamb, which were lamb cutlets with roasted tomato, gremolata and black pepper mash.

In the spirit of experiencing the wealth of amazing food that More Cravings had to offer, I got to taste a small portion of the lamb chops as well as the gremolata and black pepper mash, and it was truly impossible to confidently say which dish I loved more.

The mash potatoes were creamy and smooth, and had an burst of different spices and seasonings which I absolutely loved.

Defeated by the main course, we decided to take doggy bags which we later feasted on as a late-night snack at home.

We then dived into dessert to complete the three-course meal, and the one which grabbed both of our attention was the glorious Organ Failure, which is a warm organic-chocolate fondant.

Labelled as “might just be too much to handle” by the restaurant, we took it upon ourselves to give it a try, and I am happy to report that we won this round of women versus food.

As a cake lover, I can fully attest that this chocolate fondant is definitely a must-have. The crust was slightly hard, but was warm and soft on the inside.

When breaking into it with my dessert spoon, a pool of chocolate sauce – which perfectly complimented the fondant – ran out onto the plate to meet with what I think was vanilla-flavoured ice cream.

Dessert was amazing and not “too much to handle” at all.

We ended off our best-friend date by being lead out of the restaurant and into the hotels lounge, where we were entertained by a selection of female DJs who are a part of the hotel’s Fabulous Fridays event, which is a women-only DJ event that takes place weekly at the hotel.

To celebrate the launch of More Cravings in South Africa, a 20% off voucher, valid at any participating outlet until 31 October 2021, can be downloaded here and is available for download at each visit.