In the mood for a Buffet? Waseema Reyazuddin tried out the Hyatt House Curry Night Buffet and gives us the low down.

On Friday, 14th July 2023, we attended the “Friday Curry Night Buffet” at The Medley, a restaurant based in Hyatt House, Sandton, Johannesburg. My husband, Zakariyya, and I were happy to attend as we had heard about Hyatt House from friends. As we generally prefer hearty home-cooked meals and curries to fast food, it was a pleasant detour from our usual dining out routine.

It was also a great excuse for a date night, so we dressed warmly for one of the coldest nights in Johannesburg and headed off to Hyatt House, located at 125 Ann Crescent in Sandton. Once we were on Grayston Drive heading towards Sandton, we took a right into Linden Street and then another right into Ann Crescent. Hyatt House was just on the left, a short drive away. It was gated with guards on-site.

There was a decent amount of parking in front of the entrance and on the sides, leading to the back. We chose to park at the back, which was still a short distance from the entrance. At night, we were pleasantly surprised by the tall tree adorned with fairy lights, an open deck with table seating, and charming lanterns adding to the ambiance. I also spotted some hookahs.

As we walked towards the entrance, we could see into the restaurant through the large grid windows. We were warmly received and treated to a selection of juices, as well as an excellent cup of hot chai. The air conditioning provided relief from the cold. Inside the restaurant, there was an open-plan setting with a mix of round and square/rectangular tables, spread out to accommodate both small and larger groups. Comfortable leather couch seating adorned both corners of the room, with low lighting adding to the ambiance. The decor was minimal, featuring a neutral color palette and framed artwork ranging from urban, geometric, abstract, to Islamic art hanging on the walls. The table setting was also minimal but included comfortable chairs.

The food was served buffet-style for Curry Night, located at one end of the restaurant. All of the cooked food was placed on individual induction plates to keep them warm, perfect for the cold winters. We started off with pakoras, homemade samosas, vegetable korma, and curry-style roasted vegetables, accompanied by roti and Naan bread.

The pakoras and samosas were well-prepared, crisp, and flavorful without being oily or overly spiced. The vegetable korma had a traditional curry base but was thicker and more comforting, as expected from a korma. It was delightful for me, and I could have happily enjoyed it for the entire evening. The roti and Naan breads were warm and crisp under the heat lamp. There was also a selection of accompaniments, including salads, pickles, hummus, dahi (sour milk), and olives with feta and vinaigrette.

For drinks, we were offered a selection of popular cold drinks and Sir juices. Zak chose to have orange juice, and I opted for strawberry.

For our main meal, we enjoyed both the Chicken Karachi Curry and Durban-style beef curry. Both curries were medium-spiced yet flavorful. The beef was tender and easily tore apart, resembling lamb. The chicken was cooked until tender. The Durban-style curry reminded us of the spices from home, as both Zak and I are originally from Durban. The chef confirmed that only homemade spices were used for all the curries, with garam masala being a prominent note in the beef curry. The flavors were well incorporated into the meats and not just in the curry base.

After a satisfying main course, we chose the malva pudding instead of fresh fruit. It was slightly drier compared to the more syrup-soaked malva, but the homemade custard added sweetness without being too rich. It provided a good balance, considering the rich and hearty curries we had earlier.

The staff and management at Hyatt House, including The Medley, were warm and friendly making our evening a relaxed and pleasant experience.

The Friday Curry Night Buffet costs R250 per person.
Make sure you reserve your seats at one of the 2 Hyatt House Hotels in Johannesburg!
The Medley Restaurant Hyatt House Sandton: Book on +27 10 601 1234 or online at https://bit.ly/44QhAMv
The Collective Restaurant Hyatt House Rosebank: Book on +27 10 476 1234 or online at https://bit.ly/3px0OC4

Review by: StyleXplora Waseema Reyazuddin
Muslimah Wife and Mother of 2, Bcom Accounting Graduate, Fashion Designer, Makeup Artist, Hijab and Apparel stylist, Owner of the Stylexplora designer label, interweaving you in the amazing threads of my love, knowledge, experience and flair for fashion, hijaab, makeup, decor, travel, food, and more. Driven to inspire you to lead a life that’s as beautiful and unique as you are! It’s about taking the plunge and kicking up a gear, facing fears and welcoming changes. Also blogging at www.stylexplora.blogspot.co.za