Guests enjoy a different kind of tickling

MAGALIESSIG - Bold and spicy flavours enjoyed at the tasting of Aarya's new menu.

SMILES ALL ROUND: General manager of SunSquare Hotel, Kaliq Essop; marketing manager of Tsogo Sun, Deirdre Caine van Staden; public relations manager of Montecasino, Sian Bailey; and group sommelier of Tsogo Sun, Miguel Chan.

Guests got their taste buds tickled as they tried out the newly-refreshed menu from Aarya restaurant in Montecasino on 6 July.

They enjoyed the bold flavours which reflected the restaurant’s focus on offering tastes to suit all palates. The renowned restaurant has become a firm favourite with many who visit Montecasino, with the timing being right to introduce a range of new items to intrigue and delight both regular and new patrons.

Aarya’s restaurateur, chef Deena Naidoo won a partnership deal with Tsogo Sun to run the restaurant when he took home the crown in MasterChef South Africa in 2012. Naidoo is a proudly South African chef and Aarya’s menu reflects this as it draws from diverse South African cuisines while also capitalising on chef Deena’s extensive knowledge of spices.

“We have created a range of new dishes across the menu to add new taste experiences while retaining our focus on our wonderful South African fare,” Naidoo said.

The starters menu has grown to include salt and pepper calamari tubes and spicy seafood hot pot. Also added to the menu is an oak-smoked salmon trout salad and a lamb pizza.

What can also be noticed on the main course menu is spaghetti or penne with basil pesto made of oil, garlic, nuts and parmesan with chicken or prawns; a homemade burger with roasted onions, pickles, salad and melted mozzarella; king prawns, biltong spice crusted 250g beef fillet; red wine and rosemary braised lamb shank and chef Deena’s famous curry trio.

“The Aarya team took great pleasure in developing new dishes for our menu that would have great appeal for both South African and international customers and would showcase the multi-cultural South African nation,” Naidoo said.

Naidoo added that Aarya, named after his daughter, has been a wonderful success story, even better than he could have imagined. “Our new menu offerings will add new zest to the restaurant and to Montecasino as a whole, and we look forward to welcoming guests to try out our new items.”