It had to be a warm summer’s day. One of those typical Pretorian summer days. Scorching hot at noon, with 16:00 seeing dark clouds roll in, delivering the rhythmic rumble of thunder and the rush of a late afternoon downpour. One of those days where you can’t wait for that cold glass of white wine over lunch. Everything had to be perfect for the occasion – the stars had to align. When they finally did, I could barely contain my excitement as I walked up to Raya, Pretoria’s premium dining spot for Asian-inspired cuisine (and possibly also its best-kept secret).
George Mentis, founder and owner of Raya, says his eatery has been on Hazelwood Drive for the past three years. And, the cuisine on offer continues to surprise. In fact, those who have dined there before (like my hairdresser, Mel, from Hairvolution on Brooklyn Road) easily refer to Raya as one of their favourites in the Jacaranda City. Why? Well, for Mel it is their Stir-Fried Noodles and their Espresso Martini (which she says is the best in Pretoria). For me, it’s that and more.
Classically consistent
I’ve found that in the hospitality industry, the one thing that makes you stand the test of time (and transcend the trends) is consistency. Whether it’s through the service offering, the quality of ingredients, the flavour combinations or the passion for the place, consistency is key. And, Raya’s got that right. Every time I’d been, the service had been friendly and professional. George and his team also take the time to plan the menu items properly, simultaneously ensuring that they operate as sustainably as possible, with as little waste as possible. While the flavours are mainly driven by the Asian culture, George intertwines it with his passion of experimenting with food, flavours and textures. Being rather pedantic about what goes out on Raya’s plates, he has ensured that every dish on the menu is of the same standard as the next. That’s what I’ve experienced the first time I visited, and it’s also what I’ve experienced recently – a classic consistency that constantly sees those who appreciate quality, coming back.
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Summer vibes at Raya
Of course, with my last visit revolving around Raya’s summer offerings (with some exciting cocktails that were also soon to be launched), it was the fresh, summery dishes that caught my attention. Apart from Raya’s all-time favourites, there are some dishes that I would highly recommend you try this season. But first, be sure to make it an early lunch (they open at noon), or make it a late lunch and let it linger into the evening. It’s a spot where you’re meant to savour every moment, with an elegant Asian streetside vibe attached to it, elevated with stunning interiors and elegant drinks. With a choice of streetside seating or indoor seating, you can decide which you prefer, sit back and let the food to all the talking.
My highlight of the afternoon was undoubtedly the citrus-rich Ceviche. Resembling a colourful floral dress, layers of tuna, salmon and prawn lay amidst delicately cut lime and radish slices and slivers of lemon and lime zest. The side dressing – a Soya Honey Vinaigrette – elevated the dish even further and had me savouring every bite.
The classic Grilled Calamari came in a unique Tempura batter, complemented by a Creamy Lemon Sauce.
In addition, we also tried the Korean Fried Chicken Bites, served with fried rice and garnished with spring onion, cucumber and sesame seeds. Although very spicy, it’s definitely worth a try. Especially if you’re fond of food with a bit of fire!
For mains, the Spicy Thai Red Peanut & Beef Salad’s level of spiciness was akin to the above, but still divine. What I appreciated most about this dish, was that I could still enjoy the other flavours in it as the spiciness was complementing, rather than overpowering.
Raya’s Teriyaki-Glazed Salmon is truly something to be had too. Not only is the portion size incredibly generous, it also has something unique to it, with a special ingredient that balances the sauce brilliantly. (I won’t give it away… you’ll have to ask the chef).
Considering the amount of things I got to taste, dessert was not on the cards for me this time around. But, with a menu featuring favourites like Crème Brûlée, a caramel-topped cheesecake, a Baklava Money Bag and a Cream & Caramel Sundae, I will plan my next visit accordingly. Perhaps even do it the other way around and start with dessert! I mean, why not?
The ideal location
With Raya being so centrally located in the Old East Precinct, it is the perfect spot for get-togethers, meetings, events and more. In fact, they host various food and wine pairing evenings during the course of the year and are more than happy to throw their doors open for those who’d like to host an event.
Let Raya transport you to the streets of Kyoto and submerge yourself in a different kind of dining experience. This is a lunch spot like no other in Pretoria, with cuisine that has proven to be a brilliant conversation starter, whether you’re at work or at the hairdresser!
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