Hidden Reef – A wonderful French dining treat !

We have a tradition to go out to dinner to celebrate any happy occasion. This time it was our wedding anniversary. Since we live in Pointe aux Canonniers, we had a full range of restaurants to choose from, all found very short distance from our home. My husband was the one to decide on where to go to and he chose one of his new favorites – Hidden Reef. Hidden Reef quickly became one of his favorite restaurant due to its great atmosphere, beautiful setting and top cuisine consisting of slow-cooked meats, flavorful fresh fish dishes, and sweet plantains.

This was our third outing in Hidden Reef. At the first two visits, we noticed there was a very pleasant “buzz” to the place. Before our first visit to the Hidden Reef, we had heard that we’d be lucky to get a table without advance booking. This turned out to be true; there was no chance to get a table without prior reservation, and we were happy that we indeed did so. The restaurant was busy with locals and tourists.

Both times we were in the Hidden Reef we had the heart of palm salad with citrus French sing (240Rs), the crab gratin (250Rs), and the beef steak (410 Rs). All dishes were delicious, – Super value for money. So based on our previous experience with Hidden Reef, we were looking forward to a great diner. .

This time, we have decided to go for something different and to try some of the other dishes on the medium size menu (about 10 starters, 15 main courses, and several desserts).

For the drinks we had the Bloody Mary (170Rs) and a cold beer. (69Rs). The Bloody Mary is a popular cocktail containing vodka, tomato juice, and Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, salt and white pepper on the side. It was great, so good and after two drinks, I was already tipsy and happy.

Mr” C”’s beer was cold and refreshing.

After finishing the drinks, we moved from the main open sky lounge area of the restaurant to the table.

As for the dinning tables you have the choice between sitting outside at the terrace under the covered deck or inside the main restaurant space. We decided to sit outside because of the breeze and more romantic atmosphere with dimmed lights. The interior of the restaurant is also wonderful, with a very elegant décor.

When choosing what to eat, we noticed that a wide range of sea foods is available; from shell fish and oysters through to whitefish and crustaceans such as lobster and crab. The menu Cheap Brand Levitra is changed on a regular basis and daily specials are also offered. As for the meat selection, there is pork, chicken, beef and lamb.

We chose the dishes, and then we received delicious bread buns and butter. The bread was very nice, but there were a few small things I found rather disappointing. First, the butter was cold, which made it rock hard and impossible to spread on the nice fresh bread which was very tasty. At a fine dinning restaurant I would expect to be served a nicely herbed or otherwise flavored butter, and at the very least plain butter that is warm enough to spread without ripping the bread to pieces.

The second thing was that our table was not steady so it rocked back and forth depending where we placed out hands. I wish someone would have noticed it before, and had put something under the tables leg to fix it prior to our arrival.

We received our appetizers which were “Mr C”’s white chicken breast salad (240Rs) and my heart of palm and prawns au gratin (330Rs).

The white chicken breast salad is made with zucchinis and grilled aubergine, Parmesan chips and slivered almonds.

This Salad is Mr “C”’s favorite of the salad offerings. The main reason is our favorite kind of chicken that comes in the salad: the kind that has a crispy and seasoned exterior, and great vegetables that go well with it.

The heart of palm and prawns au gratin was nice, but while referring to the other alternative, the crab dish which I had during my previous visits to Hidden Reef, I can definitely recommend on the crab gratin dish which is amazing.

For main courses, we ordered the saffron flavored scallops with “emince” (thinly sliced) of fresh mushrooms (420Rs) and lamb shank with oven baked potatoes and grilled vegetables on the side (420Rs)

The saffron sea scallops hit the spot for us. It was a small dish, but a delicious one.

On any given “meat craving” evening, Mr “C” is prone to order hearty things like ossobuco or lamb shank for dinner. It’s superb comfort food and, in most good restaurants, it’s a safe bet. The Hidden Reef serves up a very good lamb shank, with well-integrated flavors and decent portions for the price.

For the meat lovers while referring two my previous two visits to Hidden Reef, I can highly recommend on the Beef Fillet steak which is just divine.

For dessert, we ordered the cheese cake with red fruit puree (120Rs) and the soft centered chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream (120Rs) which is baked at the restaurant. The chocolate cakewas like a mini mountain whose hard exterior was solid chocolate cake. After cracking open the exterior, we were transfixed by the rich chocolate lava which flowed out. It was fabulous together with the vanilla ice cream.

The cheesecake was VERY rich, and VERY good.

The service was exceptional – attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable and agreeable. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming – we felt very much at ease. And important to mention; the toilets were very clean .

Hidden Reef has generic cialis buy online a menu that offers enough options for those on a budget to be able to benefit from the atmosphere of a fine dinning restaurant without having to spend a fortune. The prices are reasonable or even to say quite cheap for the level of food and for the dinning experience.

From wonderful soups, seafood plates and main dishes, there was plenty to choose from. We both confirm that Hidden Reef has almost all of Life’s simple pleasures: A beautiful, intimate space, personal professional service, gourmet good, remarkable wine selection, and all these for very attractive prices!

Comments:

• All the prices mentioned in this review are VAT exclusive.
• Hidden Reef accepts all credit cards and cash in rupees, euro and US $ – Cheques are not accepted.

We were guests of Hidden reef.