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I have been going to Nelson's Eye for special occasions for many years. But my last experience there was not too good. We waited at least 45 minutes for our order to reach our table. People who arrived after us were almost finished their food and ours had not yet arrived. We were told to be patient it was on its way - this happened several times. Then two of the party of four got their food and were almost finished before the other two received theirs. The steaks are very good if somewhat overpriced. Overall not a good evening. But I will not be back there in the near future. The management is very arrogant.
Kathy : June 20, 2008
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Always a winner!
Karin : May 15, 2008
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One of the best steakhouses around, good service and high quality food.
Roy : April 15, 2008
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Terrible service. Dark dingy place. Streak use to be lovely but they seem to have lost the person that prepared the steaks. Who ever makes the steaks now, is not doing such a great job.
Ansie : April 15, 2008
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The Nelson's Eye in Cape Town, is the best place for a steak in Cape Town. I have eaten there numerous times and the quality of the meat, aging, cut and preparation is outstanding.
A bit pricey, but worth it.
Gus : April 14, 2008
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Stunning. Always the best quality
Nicolette : April 14, 2008
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Nelson's Eye is an overrated rip off.
Steak was so pricey that four of us went halvies on two pieces. We placed our order only to have the chef berate us for doing this. He demanded an extra R20/head for sharing.
He shouted at members of staff throughout our meal, making his critique audible for all. When we asked if a friend could join us for drinks (no food) we were told it was policy to ensure anyone not eating had to spend a minimum of R80. We told our friend not to join us.
The steak was nice and thick, but was slathered in something suspiciously like Spur basting sauce. Veggies were standard and not unlike those at Mikes Kitchen.
The eve was a disappointment. For a place that serves production-line food at ridiculous prices in a space no better looking than a pub Nelson's eye is an absolute rip off.
For the best steak in town. Go to 95 Keerom. You'll get a t-bone so big that two people won't finish it. Prices are fair and best of all they welcome you sharing.
Laura : March 05, 2008
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I have been going to Nelson's Eye my entire life. We celebrate all our special occasions there. I would fall asleep on the couch at the end of the night. The wine may be over priced but the food is not compared to other steak houses and it's the best steak and ribs I have ever had anywhere in the world. I know Steven well and he may be rude sometimes but some people are like that. He doesn't kick people out to make a quick buck. Maybe he wants to satisfy more customers? Do people want to always seem so negative? Some people can deal with his obnoxious behaviour and find it amusing and part of the place - which I think it is, and some people can't. Deal with it people. I may know the owner which can make me seem biased but I'm young and a student and will go there with my own friends and pay with my own money because it's that worth it.
Regular : March 03, 2008
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Top top top excellent by far the best steak ever... Tonight we go again and we will go as often as we can... The best steak we ever had in our whole life's!
: February 27, 2008
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The Best Steak in the World!
Karin : January 30, 2008
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Best Steaks in CT
Kate : January 28, 2008
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Long-standing consistently excellent reputation for the best quality meat in Cape Town(even if considered relatively pricey, Steve!) . FBG at Sandton Square in Jhb in Sept 07 was unfortunately a letdown by comparison (Sorry Alan!)
Tony : January 28, 2008
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Best steak in Cape Town by far! The Rump with the Cafe Chili Special is in a class of it's own! And the owner and managers are part of the entertainment! He has to rush people out cause there's always people at the door waiting for tables! If it were you waiting for a table you'd love him doing that! Rock on Nelson's Eye!
Nat : January 23, 2008
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I have worked at the Nelsons Eye before for about 6 months. I have seen the owner kick out customers after they have paid (using very rude words in front of children) to get more people in. He treats his staff disgustingly and on one occasion a customer found a dead cockroach at the bottom of her Irish coffee, after she finished drinking it. All they got was a free dessert. My advice to any steak lovers, there are loads of far better places to get a good steak in cape town plus you will have a better evening over-all.
dan : January 23, 2008
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Absolutely awful experience. We had booked non-smoking, and when we asked to change, the manager first ignored us, and then told us "Life is lousy, Just go" numerous times, and waved his hands in the direction of the door. (And this is just the edited version ).We were absolutely shocked. We were 4 girls in our mid 20s, dressed casually, and are not sure if the manager thought we couldn't afford the place. We are actually 4 CA's. We got up and left, paid our bills and went to another restaurant, where we had great service. We have since been telling everyone about our awful experience, and will never go there ever again. If we had been 4 old men, or tourists, this might have been different.
Gemma : November 20, 2007
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I definitely feel that waiters should NOT have to pay for breakages. Breakages are an operating cost that the restaurant owner (who is probably making a good profit) should bear. Waiters who break things often, have more than likely not been properly trained. There are ways to clear tables, stack plates and carry classes so that they do not fall over. I'm sure most waiters in SA have not been given this knowledge. It's time restaurant owners (including chain restaurants) step up to the plate by giving their staff proper training so the customer can finally get some decent service.
Sean : October 30, 2007
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My husband and I have been going to Nelsons Eye since we met about seven years ago. My husband know the owner. I can say that we have never had a bad experience at Nelsons Eye. We usually go there to celebrate a special occasion and we have taken a lot of friends there that can never stop complimenting the place. I can't see how everyone can make such a fuss because there is waiters working there that I have seen for a long time and if they had any problems with their money they would have left. If they are happy what is the problem. This place has the best Steak ever and the Old Man Sauce is absolutely delicious. If I want a decent piece of steak I will go no where else. THUMBS UP FOR NELSON'S EYE STAFF AND OWNER.
Andrea : October 30, 2007
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Maybe the owner of the restuarant should stop thinking about always getting a quick buck in his pocket than to let his staff suffer under sercumstances the restuarant should be liable for. These waiters pay little enough and work long and hard hours.
Manda : October 30, 2007
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I am NOT in the business, but I feel all the staff should pay for breakages, if they don't feel it were it hurts "IN THE POCKET" they will be less diligent in their job. I have seen many accidents in restaurants and every one is staff negligence. Who must pay "THE CUSTOMER" price are very high already.
nick : October 30, 2007
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The minimum wage for all Restaurant staff: R8.46/HOUR.
as from July 1, 2007.
Marius : October 30, 2007
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I do not agree with charging for breakages unless a person does it on a regular basis. It is a free world if a person does not like being charged for breakages move on.
douglas : October 30, 2007
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Have eaten at Nelsons Eye a few times, find it overpriced for a steakhouse, know Alberts from his days in Observatory, he can be rude and obnoxious, so don't make a habit of eating there! As regards splitting the bill with the kitchen staff, are the restaurant implying that they don't pay their kitchen staff either properly, otherwise they wouldn't need to receive tips as well as a salary / wage?
Paul : October 29, 2007
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Restaurant breakages should be based on how often a waiter breaks stuff and if it was done because of negligance or done because they just don't know what they doing however being in the industry myself I must say that most waiters break stuff and they just don't know how it effects them, at the end of the day I think that they should pay not only will it make more responsible but it will improve service in the restaurant it self no shortage of glassware no waiting for drinks
niren : October 29, 2007
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I always wonder about business operators who feel it necessary to try make money out of their staff. Surely your margins should already cover such things as breakages, wastage etc.
Neal : October 29, 2007
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It seems ereyone is living in a country different than South Africa, cause last time I read the labour laws of our little country it said that deductions can only be made in the event that a person acted negligently and also if there was a loss to the the employer. However it has been common practice all over and dept of labour has given the blind eye to the fact that employers deduct from staffs salaries for breakages, to my opinion staff steal the crockery knives and forks etc. We must really please remember that cutlery in a restaurant is expensive bussiness and to replace a 100 glasses and a significant amount of cutlery sometimes a month becomes real money, therefore the employer must have some recourse. I would say that mr nelsons eye you must deduct from everyone not only the waiters as everyone is in the practice of stealing and breaking you blind not only the waiters, oh and please check your grill they might be eating you bankrupt from the grill. And please remember if they refuse that deduction please do hearings for negligence and stealing and fire the bastards.
ruben : October 29, 2007
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Hey Steven, I hope this stupid debate doesn't break your business. I haven't been to Nelson's Eye before, but will make a point to have dinner there soon. All the best to you.
Anon : October 29, 2007
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This is so funny! I don't know the owner and I haven't been to Nelson's Eye, but I have owned a restaurant. IT IS STANDARD PRACTICE to let waiters pay for breakages. I had it in the employment agreement, they had a choice of whether they wanted to work there. And for those of you who say waiters are underpaid: My good waiters used to walk out with more money than the manager on busy days, and I don't think they told the tax man about their tips. Yes they work hard (just like everyone else), but good waiters earn good money.
Anon : October 29, 2007
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I worked as a waiter in France and Switzerland. My opinion is that if the same waiter keeps on breaking things on a very frequent basis, then there should be a chat.
However, if this continues then deductions should be introduced.
Peter : October 29, 2007
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had good times @! nelson's - good food please check on on of ur spurs
Russel : October 29, 2007
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I agree with Anon. It looks as if most comments came from those who don't know the business. As an owner, I pay for my mistakes and or mishaps. If I do not make enough turnover to cover costs, the waiter still earns money! We can easily pay a bigger wage and increase our prices. Customers will then not have an influence on the waiter's performance. No-one complains when waiters just abscond when it suits them, but the restaurant must still give service!
Hennie : October 29, 2007
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I am a regular & very happy diner at Nelson's Eye.I approached Stephen Albert this past Sat eve. about all these allegations. He denied that he takes any percentage of the tips from his waiters. However as is common practice I believe, he confirmed that the tips are pooled & redistributed in there entirety to include the kitchen staff, who play an important part in ensuring that ones meal is enjoyable. I am happy with that arrangement. I am surprised that no comment from Stephen Albert has been printed to rebuff the unfounded allegations. Nelson'e Eye in my opinion serves the best steak in Cape Town & probably South Africa.
Joe : October 29, 2007
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Life is about choices. If you, as a waiter, don't like the way Steven treat and/or pay you, get the hell away from him and his business. For the other moaners who want to tell Steven how to run his business, take your "knowledge" and your money somewhere else. Never been to this establishment and never met Steven but he has a business to run and is doing it the way he thinks best. Is someone telling you how to make your money and to spend it? If so, then you are a WOOS! Keep it up, Steven! I like people with guts, and a business-sense!
Andre' : October 29, 2007
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All these comments are really getting pretty pathetic. We have visited Nelson's Eye on numerous occasions and all I can say it has always been excellent. Why on earth is everyone 'attacking' this place. I really think we have had enough it's starting to get rather childish - grow up guys and stop trying to destroy the place.
anon : October 29, 2007
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A friend of mine is a shareholder in a well known franchise restaurant in Pretoria. He told me about a year ago that the manager of the restaurant, who is also a shareholder, deducts a percentage from the waiters for breakages. This money is then given to the shareholders as a tax free bonus each month.I presume this is an old scam that happens at many restaurants, not that I would complain if I were a shareholder.
stephen : October 29, 2007
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I wonder if anyone's bothered reading any of the comments before giving their opinion? Has anyone noticed that the owner of this "terrible" place has left several comments here inviting anyone who wants to, to come and get their facts straight?
Bibi : October 29, 2007
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Just a few comments regarding waiters. Firstly, when it comes to breakages, they should pay if the breakage is blatantly their fault. If it was a pure accident then the restaurant should absorb the cost.
Secondly, as far as tipping is concerned. Waiters get paid an extremely minimal wage, i.e about R4-5/hour on an average. Which is just about nothing. They may be getting paid to do a job, but they're getting paid a crap salary. Their incentive to deliver good service to you the customer is the tip they may get. If you get crap service, don't tip, but then tell your waitron why too.
Danielle : October 29, 2007
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This is not unique to to this place. I used to work at Balducci's at the V & A and on some doubles I would earn R100 in pay but pay as much as R200 for breakages and bar staff. Seems to me the company can't afford to pay us hard workers wages and want us to pay to work for them. Thank god I am not in that industry anymore and I hope this eats some of the clientele. Shame on them and I hope one day they get caught as what they are doing is clearly illegal.
Yucca : October 29, 2007
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I'm visiting cape town this weekend and was looking for some restaurants to try out.
And I found these comments and articles. And it has really put me off this restaurant.
I'm really disappointed at Steven's comments about this issue.
I too have waitered when I was young and yes I do sympathize with the waiters.
I don't think its fair to redistribute tips at all. For a example
I know I work hard for those tips why should I share it with someone that served half the tables and did a crappy job.
I feel that waiters should be responsible for there breakages and only pay for there's and not to share the cost.
I know for a fact that a lot of breakages happen in the kitchen and not mainly by the waiters so the kitchen staff should also be held responsible for there breakages.
You are really exploiting your staff, jobs are scarce to come by and we hold onto them for dear life.
So please treat your staff with some respect and take responsibility for paying them a set rate per hour.
mandy : October 29, 2007
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My family and I have been going to Nelson's Eye for years and I have never had a bad experience. The wine list is grossly overpriced, but we choose to take our own. The food and atmosphere have always been superb. I also think it is very unfair to crucify one restaurant owner when many others are doing exactly the same thing. Don't worry Steve, your loyal customers know the true worth of Nelson's Eye.
Susanna : October 29, 2007
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I would like to make the following commments :
1, Waiters are employed to do a job, if after they have been warned re breakages then they must pay.
Why should the customer give tips for people to do what they are being paid for.
2. when selecting staff make sure they are honest and reliable.
I was recently the victim of card scam at a restaurant in JHB.
Mohamad : October 29, 2007
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I am stunned by Steven's arrogance! The attitude displayed in your responses has convinced me that I have had my last meal ever at Nelson's Eye, because it reflects what we experienced in the restaurant too. Besides, I tip a good waiter more, and less for poor service. Why should my money be "redistributed?"
Pieter : October 29, 2007
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Waiters are the face of any restaurant. Whether it's Spur or Nelson's Eye, if you have a bad waiter you generally leave with a bad impression of the place you went. I think restaurants need to stop treating their staff like this and actually pay them minimum wage. It's also time to take responsibility for your cutlery, crockery and glassware. If you can't afford to pay it yourself, surely you should find another career?? Waitering is as important as any job and in the USA they recognise this. If SA wants to be world-standard restauranteurs need to cotton on to the importance of their staff. It's not like they'd serve customers themselves...
Justine : October 29, 2007
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Waiters are the face of any restaurant. Whether it's Spur or Nelson's Eye, if you have a bad waiter you generally leave with a bad impression of the place you went. I think restaurants need to stop treating their staff like sh!t and actually pay them minimum wage. It's also time to take responsibility for your cutlery, crockery and glassware. If you can't afford to pay it yourself, surely you should find another career?? Waitering is as important as any job and in the USA they recognise this. If SA wants to be world-standard restauranteurs need to cotton on to the importance of their staff. It's not like they'd serve customers themselves...
Justine : October 29, 2007
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Waiters should definitely NOT have to pay for breakages. They are expected to do so much so quickly.
I have never waited and would hate to have that thankless task by owners and patrons.
phyllis : October 29, 2007
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It is time that restaurant owners pay the waiters a proper salary and get it over with. Why should the public pay for the food and then for the service as well? Who is the employer? The customer? Nonsense. Restaurants are so expensive, they ask R14 for an Ice Tea you buy for R6 at a chainstore, not even talking about other drinks and overpriced food. Pay the waiters set salaries and stop begging from the public to pay your workers. How would you feel to give a tip to the guy issuing your drivers licence after you have paid your R350 initial fee huh?
Bernie : October 29, 2007
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While a restaurant should cater for the training of its staff (to be able to handle dishes, serve etc.) If it is not hiring qualified waiters, it should allow for breakages as this is normal practice.
However if certain staff are "regular" in breakages the particular staff may be charged after a few warnings only for the item broken and not a percentage of their salary. This is exploitation.
FAY : October 29, 2007
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Staff working long hours and getting the frustrations of the public.
I think Restaurants need to rethink their business.
Surely a restaurants budgets for shrinkage?
I would turn upon myself if someone told me I had to pay for something I didn't do.
Pay for other staff members to do drinks?
Who' s is the employer anyway... the staff? Sounds like it!
Hermann : October 29, 2007
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To all those out there ..this is my last comment regarding this issue ..those that dont understand the redistrubution of tips ..to the point that waiters make an average of R 500.00 per night and staff need to to be treated on an equal distribution prossess. .as long as food keeps going up ..so will gratuities .. it is the only job that is positively linked to inflation..a lot of what is said by crits has not been evaluated properly ..as in Sigrid case .. any body is welcome to come and see how tips are redistrbuted ..to the needy .. eg drug rehabilitation .. I call this matter now closed
Steven : October 26, 2007
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perhaps offices will start renting out desks to office staff, charging them for wasting paper, rent them a pen and so on. the restaurant can deduct breakages against tax and increase prices if they aren't making sufficient profit.
Nick : October 26, 2007
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I have been to Nelson's Eye in the past and all I can say is that I must have been really intoxicated that night because for the life of me I didn't see the shackles on the waiter?s ankles
Frank : October 25, 2007
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I've been a waiter for a good few years while I was a student, and I only ever paid for breakages when I was at a Spur, and there we only paid R5 a shift! Taking 15% of a waiter's tips is blatant exploitation. On what grounds do they base this amount? And honestly, breakages are an expense that come with all restaurants, so deal with it and cover it youself like you're supposed to! All that Nelson's Eye is doing is charging their waiters commission as if they were renting the space in which they work. Disgusting!
Peter : October 25, 2007
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I have been waitering for years around the corner from Nelson's Eye and we have some of Nelson's old staff working with us. From their mouths we have heard about the shocking behaviour of the owners and managers of this steakhouse. While it has suddenly come to the attention of the press that Nelson's exploits its staff, we have known this for years. The management even came up with the brilliant idea of 'renting' sections to waiters - from R8- - R200 depending on the section. Only mass revolt on the part of the staff stopped them.
As much as I like a good steak, I refuse to visit Nelson's. They represent everything despicable in an employer and this impacts on their restaurant.
Sigrid : October 25, 2007
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Although I have never eaten at the restaurant I am, like many others, disappointed to hear about the 15% for breakages. I have waitered for 4 years and also eaten in some of the top restaurants on this earth: Raffles, Le Chartier, River Cafe, and many more.
A couple of years ago I was working at the Butcher's Grill in Greenmarket Sq. We were paid on a 3% commission basis, paid R10 for breakages and also paid R25 every night for kitchen staff. Isn't it the job of the employer to pay their staff and for breakages? Because of this I often found that I wouldn't even have enough money for transport and was then penalised further for my tardiness! It's bollocks! Pay your staff fairly...
Jules : October 22, 2007
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I am surprised by the outcry over Nelson's Eye - surely everyone knows that taking a percentage of waiters' earnings to cover breakages, is standard practice in the industry, and has been for years? When I worked at vilamoura in the mid 1990's, we were paid a wage of R2.50 per hour, but had R10 deducted for breakages every night - and if you were seen breaking something, you wre still charged for this on top of the deduction. PLus we paid a further R10 to the bar staff who poured our customers' drinks for us. By the end of the night you were actually in the red - but nobody dared complain as they would simply lose their jobs and in any case, you earned such good tips that it balanced out. It's a nasty practice, but seems a bit unfair to hang one restauranteur for a practice they all engage in.
Pippa : October 21, 2007
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Hi Johan
I would like to thank you for that imput ..I classify this as irrisponsible journalism ..the lady that did the article owes us an apology which might not be good enough .the discicion to take monies off was based at our monthly meeting of staff all discicions regarding our staff are done per vote.. anyone is welcome to come and see how we base our deductions which by the way is not a new arrangment as the press put it but been an ongoing thing vetoid by them .
Thanks Steven
Steven : October 21, 2007
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Having eaten at Nelson Eye, I find their food and ambience great. It is just plain crazy to single out this restaurant for criticism regarding the 15% that is taken from waiters tips for breakages etc. Why doesn't the press criticise the Spur group for paying its waiter only 3% of their takings as their wages. That means if a waiter sells R1000 worth of food, he/she gets R30, which to me, amounts to slave labour. There are thousands of restaurants that exploit their waiters. Seems like Nelson's Eye got criticised for telling the truth and if this was investigated properly by the press, it would become clear that taking a percentage of the waiters money is rife in the industry!
johan : October 21, 2007
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I look at this article with great sorrow as we have built up a huge client base over the years .. as they say no smoke without fire but this is a far fetched article with huge errors ..anyone reading this is welcome to make an appointment to see me as I told the papers ..i will then show them the true facts .. which is a far cry from how the article has been put forward .. i value all the support from my clients ..Mr Esau thanks for your support ..looking forward to seeing you as you know me personally...Steven
steven : October 20, 2007
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It is with disgust that I read the article on the IOL.co.za website regarding the Nelson's Eye owner, Steve Albert's policy of taking 15% of the waiters tips.
Until such time that he apologiges to all the waiters involved and reimburse them in full with interest, I will actively campaign that the Nelson's Eye be put on a list of bad business practices and to that patrons to boicott this establishment.
I would like to sollicit your support in this matter.
Regards
Esau Roberths (former patron of Nelson's Eye)
Esau : October 20, 2007
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If you want a really good Nelson's Eye, Try the Nelson's Eye Restaurant in Jersey Channel Islands.. It's Fantastic
Gareth : September 26, 2007
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