Alēia

We heard about a new fine-dining restaurant in Pretoria called Alēia and decide to try it out. We arrive early and get some photos outside while it is still light. I order a single Jameson with soda and Amanda the Aperol Spritz. We sit down and unwind, by Thursday evening we need some unwinding.

The interior of the restaurant is a modern French design with lots of wood, glass, and large windows. It also happens to be the Jenna Clifford showroom. The jeweler has launched her own crockery and glassware range and it is used in Aleia’s table settings. Along the walls, there are art pieces on display from local and international artists.

They have a set menu for dinner which they start serving at 19:00. A little rain combined with load-shedding causes a few of the other guests to run late. The host of the evening asks if we wouldn’t mind waiting for them. Being a generous person he offers everyone complimentary sparkling wine. After a short while, no one is feeling bothered and soon enough the proceedings commence.

I decide on the set menu with wine pairing and Amanda without the pairing. Not going to go into too many details about the menu as it is 8 courses and changes after 2 weeks. But I will say you can expect Liver Parfait, Chevre, Crudo Salmon, Duck, and Wagyu, to name but a few ingredients. They are all smaller dishes that tantalize the taste buds leaving you satisfied. But longing for more. The waiter presents every plate with flair and an explanation of what you can expect. Pairing it with excellent wine. My favorite for the evening is the duck. Distracted by the variety of tastes, each needing some consideration and deliberation. The evening passes us by once again and it is time for our night-caps. A glass of port for me and a cappuccino for Amanda. A small plate of sweet treats to enjoy with our drinks. We thank our waiter and hosts and embarked on the journey back home.