Birthday, dijo & good times.

Monday May 23, 2022 19:08

Here is to wishing Rhapsody’s Sebele a Happy first Birthday. The establishment turned one on Sunday May 22 and did so in style. Our dining experience with them was nothing short of amazing. Ebile I am gifting them with my patronage as I can easily understand why it is they can boast of having loyal customers, some of who made the move from the now closed APJ branch, which found a home at Sebele Centre Mall.

I do quite a bit of shopping at Sebele complex and often times see people having a meal or clinking mimosas at Rhapsody's on the patio seating. The exterior gives nothing away as the establishment is secluded in its own corner with ample parking space in the frontage. The stunning interior, simply put, is enchanting. The restaurant was one of the first to adopt strict COVID-19 protocols and this kept them going during a time where people were uncertain about dining out in uncertain times. Now with restrictions slightly loosened, its all systems go for a great dining experience. The spacious restaurant has utilised the layout very well with elegant decor, unique structures that include the Sushi Bar where one can watch their sushi being made, which is a very vibrant and engaging serving approach. Another striking feature has to be the black and gold enormous bar that's built both from the ceiling and the floor. The general ambiance is lively yet effortless, stylish yet relaxed. The hanging foliage and background music gave us a tropical feel. It’s a good space to be in.

Joan Richardson, events and marketing manager at Rhapsodys, arrived and scanned the room ensuring everything was in place, and as she made her way over, she greeted some of the already seated guests with a warm smile. This personal attention goes a long way in making patrons feel special. We got to chatting whilst our attentive server Gosego, brought us our menu to peruse while waiting on Head Chef Ngoni Gondo to bring out the dishes he had selected. As our visit unfolded, he also took us on a culinary journey of the variety of starters, mains and desserts. All the dishes they selected for our dining are found on the standard menu. His choices offered us an opportunity to review some of their bestsellers such as the Chicken Espetada, a more common dish, Grilled Calamari and Fragrant Rice as well as the multifaceted Chicken and Avocado Stack.

Rhapsody's is a fine dining establishment that offers a stylish and relaxed venue for an unforgettable time out with friends, family, and is perfect for business meetings. It really is comfortable and fitting for different occasions. I believe it is intentional that there are various specials to choose from throughout the week, they are one way of thanking loyal patrons, giving back in a sense. These include Sushi & Sake from Monday to Wednesday, a buy six Castle Lites for the price of four on Saturday and Sunday, breakfast served with complementary Bubbles Friday to Sunday, while there is a 10 percent discount for senior citizen lunch on the weekend. Absolutely customer centric! These specials speak to appreciating each and every individual and ensuring they have an experience, which speaks to them. Rhapsody’s has also earned its right as a destination of choice for Gabs Night Life. Weekends come alive with resident DJs and once a month they host a “Big” event that draws in diners and revellers alike with local and international acts.

I appreciate the time the chef took to take us through the menu and wine pairings. The two starters, which stood out for me were the Smoked Salmon Tian and the Chicken-Avo Stack. The salmon dish presented very well while all the elements of the dish came together in a culinary love dance. It was, however, served with toast and on checking the menu, I realised it should have been served with crostini slices or (little crusts/toasts in Italian). It is basically a type of Italian toasted bread, so I felt the normal toast took away from the elegance of the dish. The Chicken and Avocado Stack, I could have over and over again. I have never seen a chicken breast so transformed, shredded and combined with powerful flavours such as pesto and sun dried tomatoes to create something so divine. This was served on a bed of lettuce and was so satisfying. Taste bud gratification on 100%! The chopped cashews aesthetically added texture to the dish. However, I can’t be sure they enhanced the chicken at all because it was just that good. For the mains my guest had a fillet stuffed with brie, it was so tender her knife slid right through. I tasted the entreiging peppercorn sauce on her dish on its own and was pleasantly surprised at how soft the whole peppercorns were. I guess I’m used to black pepper from the pepper mill. My main comprised of a Red Pepper Kingklip, which was fresh, succulent and cooked perfectly. The mash decadent with crunchy vegetables was also delightful. Some height in the plating of this dish would make it that much more magical, but all the same, the meal itself was superb. I would say that I will have it again, but I cannot wait to explore the other dishes on the menu. It’s good food, a good mood, and a breath of fresh air ko Rhapsody’s Sebele. O ba cheke.