Chef Aiden Pienaar And His Incredibly Talented Team Took Us On An Unforgettable Culinary Journey At Second Story in Sandton.
If you're looking for an exceptional dining experience, look no further than Second Story in Sandton, led by the world-renowned Chef Aiden Pienaar. This hotspot isn't just about the food; it's a vibrant venue buzzing with energy and stunning décor. The moment you step inside, the warm lighting, chic furnishings, and elegant ambience sweep you off your feet. 🌟✨
Starters: We began our culinary adventure with some delightful starters. The Fish Tacos were an absolute hit – crispy hake perfectly complemented by a tangy pickled jalapeño and coriander dressing, all nestled in soft flour tacos. The flavours were fresh and vibrant, making each bite a piece of perfection! A must-try dish straight from Chef Aiden’s cookbook, Mexico in Mzansi.
Next up were the Edamame Beans grilled with spicy teriyaki. We had a humorous learning curve figuring out how to eat them – initially eating the whole bean (oops!), but quickly realising popping the peas out was the way to go. 😅 Despite the funny mishap, they were a spicy and satisfying treat.
Our Crispy Quinoa & Avo Salad stole the show among the starters. With creamy avo, grilled sweetcorn, kidney beans, and a zesty tomato and onion salsa, this salad hit all the right notes – creamy, crunchy, salty, sweet, and smoky. It's without a doubt the best salad we've ever had, a true masterpiece!
Sushi: The sushi offerings were equally impressive. The Vegan California Roll with avo, cucumber, carrot, spicy vegan mayo, teriyaki, spring onion, and crunchy quinoa set a new benchmark for sushi excellence. The combination was pure bliss, and the crunchy quinoa added a delightful texture.
The Salmon Crunch Roll, featuring crispy fried salmon and avo, was beautifully presented and delicious. However, the Vegan California Roll was just too outstanding to beat!
Cocktails: We also savoured some delightful cocktails. The Country Garden, with Hendrick's Gin, elderflower, pomegranate, cucumber, and lime, was sheer bliss in a glass. The Frozen El Jimador Margarita was refreshingly crisp and flavorful, highly recommended!
The Pina Colada was a bit on the sweet side for our taste, but the classic Whiskey Sour, made with Monkey Shoulder Whisky and lemon juice, was perfectly balanced and refreshing.
Mains: We delved into the mains with high expectations. The rib-eye (400g), char-grilled and served with mashed potatoes, was flavorful though a tad rarer than anticipated. Still, the BBQ basting was spot on, and the mash was luxuriously smooth and buttery.
The standout was the Lamb Chops. Grilled to perfection with olive oil, origanum, lemon, and rosemary, these chops were unbelievably tender and flavorful. Paired with buttery mashed potatoes, this dish was a total winner!
Desserts: For dessert, we indulged in the classic Malva Pudding and Ultramel Custard, a warm, sticky, and moist delight. Comforting and delicious, it was the perfect way to end our meal.
The surprise hit was the Vegan Oreo Chocolate Cake. Incredibly moist and rich, you'd never guess it was vegan. This slice of heaven truly stole the show, leaving us in awe of its perfection.
Overall Experience: Second Story restaurant in Sandton is a melting pot of flavours, bringing the essence of various cultures to your plate. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND visiting and treating your taste buds to an unforgettable experience!
Huge thanks to Chef Aiden Pienaar and his incredible team for making our evening so special.
We can't wait to return and try more of their amazing dishes!
For more incredible recipes, don’t forget to grab a copy of Chef Aiden Pienaar's acclaimed cookbook, Mexico in Mzansi. 🍽️📖
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ℹ️ Contact Details: 010 015 5075 | info@secondstory.co.za
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