Mauritius Dining Reviews

This was not my first visit to the Cafe des Arts.Iam not a great writer of reviews because I think one can get carried away with an exceptionally good (or bad)experience. In this case I just feel like Ihave to write a review to share this place with others and since I am new at this I will follow the guidelines. Be aware this is a high-end place,no fast-foodlovers here:but then you will feel the atmosphere as soon as your driver turns the car into the garden of this old and superbly restored sugarmill(la petite Victoria)Just the sight of the immense and cleverly lighted banyantree is awesome.The guests are greeted by the owner himself or one of the elegant hostesses dressed in sari and that is just the beginning of a wonderful evening.An evening which I find a welcome relief of fivestar hotel routine. You make your selection from the menu seated in a cozy lounge ,surrounded by the colourful paintings by Yvette Maniglier.Don't expect to find a very elaborate menu but everything is exceptionally fresh and you will find of the highest standards of food.Iloved the lobster which seemed reasonably priced when compared to my hotel where the supplement for the lobster was the same as the asking price here,le coeur de palmiste braisé accompagné de gambas to die for,carpaccio de daurade as an appetizer-it is all coming back now-le trio de chocolat(as a Belgian I know my chocolate),poisson en croute de sel and I could go on.Everything presented on personnalized plates,little works of art competing with the ones on the walls. The service is outstanding,becoming quite seldom these days outside 3star-restaurants.Eventhough the most important in a restaurant may be what is on your plate,this kind of service gives that extra bit of glitter to a wonderful evening.No need to look for a waiter to refill your glass,but no pushy waiters either trying to get you to open a second bottle if you don't want to.Beyond all this is the savoir-faire of Jocelyn Gonzalez master of the house and host extraordinaire,taking into account the slightest details from namecards on the tables to the choice of the music,always supervising everything and entertaining you with amazing stories about his artcollection. Speaking of the music it is not seldom that people ask if they can take home with them the music of The Cafe des Arts.Mr Gonzalez might have a nice surprise in store for you there,but let's not spoil it! Last time I went we had a private evening and a jazzquartet playing live music.Before I would have told you jazzmusic is not really my thing now I wouln't say that again.It was the kind of evening that ended all too soon but it made me feel very privileged ! Do not expect a very crowded place,nevertheless if you don't make reservations in advance you won't get in.Prepare yourself for an intimate or romantic experience.But if you want to organize a private function like nowhere else in Mauritius and have an evening everyone will talk about, there is no place like "le Cafe des Arts"at Trou d'Eau Douce.And Jocelyn he will do the impossible to realise all your requests. I am looking forward to having my next birthdayparty there!

This was the dining highlight of our trip to Le Toussrok, it is wonder why more people don't venture outside the hotel, this is such a wonderful restaurant, I wish we had discovered it earlier in our visit so we could have gone a few times. Highly recommended and a great salve after buffet food! Definitely worth the trip, and whilst a little on the expensive side, well worth it.

truly a magical place I visit each time Iam in MAURITIUS,MAGICAL SURROUNDINGS and as a bonus the wonderful works by YVETTE Maniglier to be admired.It is like a well kept secret.The place does not come cheap but what can be expected at this level.Before dinnerdrinks are twice the size of what you get at your 5star resort for instance.So I 'd sayoverall an honest price-quality rate.4course dinner-including lobster-is 4000rupees. for this price you get a marvelous dining experience.If you like fine dining do not miss out.To unconditional fans of fastfood;stay away

Staying at the Royal palm, I was really recommended to go see this place by the concierge. I really don't know what to say about this place. I am happy I discovered this restaurant, as the food was really excellent. The only problem that in any standard the prices are very high. Cocktails are about 1000 Rs and the dinner for 4 of us was total 28000 Rs!!! which is what I paid for one night at Royal Palm. If the prices don't scare you, then you should definitely try this place - a true one of a kind