tortoise logo RedHeads - an account of the opening night

On the strength of a flyer in the caravan park office, we had booked a table at the opening night of a new restaurant in McLaren Vale called RedHeads.

The Flyer exhorted us to

7.30pm
Enjoy an exotic evening with fabulous food, fine wine and fiery dance
Come appreciate the atmosphere, music & palate sensations!

We arrived at about 7.20 and were greeted with complimentary pre-dinner drinks.

The room was newly decorated in "international" style with a touch of North Africa.

The bar stools being uncomfortable, we asked to be shown to our table at about 7.30.

There was unleavened bread with three dishes of accompaniments, including two dips and a plate of olives and seasoned cold vegetables. The waitress called the dips "capsicum paste" and "bean and something dip without the something for which pears had been delivered by the supplier instead of the something". Notwithstanding, we ate this with some enjoyment.

With some expectation, we ordered a bottle of "Not Red Too", the house white. It was drinkable but not memorable. Some time passed and, when questioned, the waitress promised that some more food would be forthcoming sometime, "There is a strategic plan set around the appearance of the belly dancers" she commented.

Patrons continued to arrive and at about 8.30 the next dish was served. It was interesting to note that though four tables of patrons had been patiently waiting since 7.30, the food was served to the latecomers before those who had the courtesy to arrive at the time requested in the invitation. This course was an entree of meatballs, bean balls, fish and capsicum kebab, and stuffed vine leaves with a small dish of some kind of innocuous sauce. While some of this had gone cold, it was interesting and pleasant enough.

Another long wait ensued during which the owner asked us if all was well. When the reply indicated a certain unhappiness with the arrangements and the service, her answer was that everyone else was enjoying themselves. When some other unhappy patrons were pointed out to her, she huffed. I suggested to her that the lack of consideration of the early arrivers showed a lack of customer care and she said she would pass my observation on but I didn't notice any improvement.

We had plenty of time to observe the other patrons including a visit to our table by a very, very drunk young woman who confided to us that "Teresa had done a wonderful job"; we managed to get the young woman's friends to take her away before she disgraced herself at our table. We concluded that all the patrons except the four tables of early arrivers were friends or family of the owners.

Some considerable time later, very spicy, cold sardines were served, just the thing to settle the growing pangs of desire for a main meal.

We were informed that the main course would be served after the entertainment.

The belly dancers duly arrived and whirled their way between the tables. In the pursuit of entertainment, they dragged more or less willing patrons to dance with them, to the amusement of the "friends" but not all of the "paying guests".

Eventually the main course was served, friends first of course. With some anticipation we started to eat, but it was so unpleasant that we left instead.

This had been a relatively expensive way to find out where not to eat.

We certainly won't be patronising RedHeads again and would not recommend it to anyone else.

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Created on Sat, 31 Oct, 1998 - Last revised Sat, 31 Oct, 1998