(2012-02-27) Diners are urged to make a booking at the Delagoa Restaurant at the Polana on an advert on LM Radio to ensure that a table is available.
A booking was certainly not necessary as my dining partner and I were the only diners the entire lunchtime. We went there as I wanted to try the Business Lunch. As I waited for my companion to arrive, it gave me time to look around the restaurant and peruse the menu. I was not offered a drink in the time that I waited.
In the front of the menu it boasts that the chef won the Chef of the Year Award in 2011, although it does not say in which country or under whose auspices, and there was also a mention of 2 Michelin Stars although the name of the restaurant where the same chef presumably worked was not mentioned.
The Business Lunch was a 2 course affair costing 950 meticais , including coffee, with the option of a dessert being an additional 250 meticais. The choice of starters was a Celery Cream Soup or a Garden Salad with a Coconut Vinaigrette. We both opted for the salad which came without the coconut vinaigrette, and was very ordinary, but the accompanying home baked rolls with cheese, garlic or, olives were very fresh and a delight. The soft lump of butter served with the fresh rolls which started out life as butter curls let the bread down a bit.
The choice of mains were Poached Chicken Filled with Spinash, Pesto Sauce and Mush Potatoes, or Tempura of Red Snapper. Spelling mistakes like these are unacceptable in an establishment like the Delagoa. Not feeling like mush potatoes or spinash, we chose the latter. The portion of Red Snapper was large with a decidedly untempura like batter as it was a soft batter, and not light and crispy, and it was served without any accompaniment.
We were not willing to pay the huge prices asked for the wines so opted for 2 glasses costing over 600Mt each for the same bottle costing 350Mt locally. The wine list is divided into countries, with France having the most entries. An impressive list but on closer inspection, held a number of errors, despite the Spectator Award of Excellence it received in 2011.
I found the decor to be unbalanced with different patterns and colours in the carpets, chair upholstery, wallpaper, ceiling and floor. After receiving a bill of over 3000 meticais for a very mediocre meal for 2 people cooked by the Chef of the Year, I left the Polana very disappointed.
Maybe the Chef was having a day off.
Delgoa Restaurant is located inside Polana Serena Hotel, on Av Julius Nyerere, 1380.
By Cuisine Queen Quisine Queen is a qualified food critic. S/he works incognito and pays his/her own bill. Quisine Queens culinary appreciation is her own, and does not necessarily reflect the tastes of Club of Mozambique.
From: Joao I agree with the review, we went there on a sunday for the brazilian feijoada buffet which was very average and cost 1,800 mt per person. No ambiance, no service definetly not 5 star dining. Do yourself a favour, dont waste your money going there. 2012-02-28
From: Mozambican and Food Enthusiast Polana has now officially reached "rock bottom". About the Delagoa: the Michelin Star Chef is THE TEACHER OF THE CHEF THAT WAS WORKING AT DELAGOA 4 MONTHS AGO! And even more incredible: THE CHEF THAT "DESIGNED" THE DELAGOA RESTAURANT'S MENU RAN AWAY FROM THE COUNTRY! And you pay a lot for all this history in your plate! :D 2012-02-28
Welcome Visitor 9569393. Today is Friday, May 24th 2013
(2012-02-27) Diners are urged to make a booking at the Delagoa Restaurant at the Polana on an advert on LM Radio to ensure that a table is available. 
