Alēia is one of Pretoria’s latest fine dining spots and a must when in the Jacaranda City. Run by Executive Chef Ramon Gouws, director of Double Dutch SA and co-founder of the Appetite Fest, and renowned entrepreneur, Armand Greyling, this restaurant and wine bar is one of a kind. Alēia, together with Jenna Clifford and Quaintrelle Studios have created a lifestyle destination for those looking for more that just a dining experience. At their new space, previously occupied by Harley Davidson, you can expect delicious food and wine, exquisite jewellery, and fashion. The restaurant also doubles as an art gallery treating patrons to works by artists like Marion Agenbach and Mbongeni Fakudze. Although Alēia offers fantastic light lunches, their seven-course evening menu is their claim to fame and an experience I recommend wholeheartedly. Each of the seven courses are masterpieces. The whole menu is well thought out, perfectly executed and served on beautiful signature Jenna Clifford homeware pieces.
When the meal started with freshly baked corn bread served with a bacon relish and tomato butter we knew we were in for a treat. But nothing could have prepared us for the taste explosion that followed. I could happily have only eaten Chef Ramon’s next course of Chevre pillows, paired with L’Avenier Méthode Cap Classique Brut, for the rest of the evening. But there was more! The next two delectable seafood courses left us dumbstruck. They both were perfectly paired with two South African white wines and served in long-stemmed Jenna Clifford glasses. Next we indulged on one of the best lamb dishes I have ever eaten. The La Motte Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 paired perfectly with the tender lamb served with parsnip and Pomme Anna. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better Chef Ramon treated us to a dessert of rice pudding, but with a fruity twist (of course).
If you love exquisite food and décor you are definitely going to love Alēia.
xxx
