Delicious food at an affordable price

Restaurant: Mike’s Kitchen

Reviewed by: Anna Robertson

The restaurant, located in Springsgate Shopping Centre, recently underwent a complete facelift, inside and out.

The restaurant is quite popular for its carvery and buzzes with activity on a Sunday.

Although my husband and I decided not to join the excited carvery-crowd, we watched as people passed our table with full plates of exciting food.

I started with Mozzarella Mushrooms, black mushrooms, covered in creamed spinach, and melted mozzarella cheese topped with bacon bites.

A good portion size and it tastes truly remarkable.

Our waitress Alta van Jaarsveld was friendly and catered for our every need, from food to thirst quenchers.

For the main course, my husband ordered the 200g fillet and peppered sauce, served with chips.

The flavour of the peppered sauce balanced the richness of the tender fillet very well.

The fillet was perfectly prepared to his medium to rare taste and was juicy and tender.

I, instead, decided to go with the 12 grilled prawns served on a bed of rice and vegetables.

The bright colours of the vegetables made it a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach.

I did find the vegetable serving a bit much for my liking, but I know a lot of people would be willing to pay for a dish like that.

The servings were big but not pricey at all and were well worth it.

There were a few dessert choices, but I went for the Mike’s famous cheesecake, garnished with a red cherry and peppermint leaves.

This was simply divine.

This family restaurant recently won the Franchise of the Year trophy as the best in Africa.

They also received a trophy for the best children’s area, back of the house (kitchen), best salads and best carvery.

This was presented to the owners, Jacques and Marianne du Preez and Hennie and Lara Oelofse at an awards gala ceremony held in Midrand.

Jacques says they have been competing for this award for the past five years and had to be satisfied with second place for the past three years.

But this year they snatched the trophy from all the other entrants.

They are very proud of their newly revamped children’s area and have employed two people to look after the children while they play in the safe surroundings.

These employees are trained to keep a watchful eye on the minors and to teach them about health and safety while playing on the climbing tower and safe trampolines.

The five trophies have found a special spot in the newly renovated family restaurant and are on display for all to see.

“We are truly proud to be the Africa franchise winner, but most of all, proud to have the floating trophy in Springs, where it will stay until the next competition,” says Jacques.