Tsogo Sun’s Special Spots For Sundowners

“Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words,” said Roman playwright Plautus more than 2 000 years ago. Jo’burgers love to do just that – celebrate any and every occasion with something bubbly, a glass of wine or a delicious cocktail and scintillating company, somewhere special.

The combination of the perfect drinks offering and exceptional settings is something Tsogo Sun prides itself in particular on three unbeatable spots –  the Island Bar on the pool deck of Southern Sun Hyde Park, the San Deck at Sandton Sun Hotel, and the Skye Bar on the 9th floor of the Holiday Inn Sandton. All three venues are becoming favourite sundowner destinations on Jozi’s vibrant social scene, where the panoramic views, glorious Highveld climate, magnificent African sunsets, and the glittering city night lights add unrivaled atmosphere to every occasion.

The Island Bar at Southern Sun Hyde Park is a trendy and vibrant place around a sparkling pool or comfortable indoor lounge seating, from which to enjoy the stunning view through wall to wall windows. The varied menu offering includes trendy cocktails, light lunchtime snacks, including their renowned sushi and sashimi, and indulgent sundowners. Guests who simply can’t tear themselves away from the view also have the opportunity of dining in Lucé, where the finest Italian cuisine is presented by Executive Chef Gareth Jordaan and his talented team, with unique flair, amidst hearty and wholesome flavours.

The San Deck at Sandton Sun is a sophisticated yet trendy outdoor venue that boasts views of the surrounding Sandton skyline topped by unforgettable African sunsets. With three large fire pits, lounge seating, live music, and a DJ on weekends, it’s perfect for informal get-togethers and special social occasions, serving light meals throughout the day. San Deck is also a participating auction wines restaurant, offering South Africa’s exclusive and finest wines, paired with leading executive chef Garth Shnier’s exceptional culinary creations.

The Skye Bar at Holiday Inn Sandton on Rivonia Road is a luxurious and ultra-comfortable venue with a relaxed ambience, also offering panoramic views of Sandton and beyond. It features an inspiring cocktail menu and is a popular place to catch up with friends, enjoy a romantic night out, or entertain corporate colleagues.

Says Priya Naidoo, Tsogo Sun’s GM, Group Communications, “Johannesburg often surprises visitors with its beauty, its friendly ambience, and its celebrated and world-class food and drinks culture. Tsogo Sun is capturing all this and more in our memorable drinks destinations – where locals and visitors alike can enjoy the very best that Jozi has to offer.”

Tsogo Sun’s portfolio includes over 90 hotels and 14 casino and entertainment destinations throughout South Africa, Africa, the Seychelles and Abu Dhabi. For more information, visit tsogosun.com, follow on Twitter and Instagram @TsogoSun or like on Facebook /TsogoSun.

The spectacularly-located Lucé in Hyde Park has launched an exciting new menu, crafted by Chef Gareth Jordaan.

Formerly executive sous chef at The Palazzo Montecasino, Jordaan has injected his own brand of culinary flair into the Lucé menu, creating traditional Italian dishes in keeping with the restaurant’s theme, but “with a twist”.

In the first in a series of Chef Challenges, Tsogo Sun took Jordaan out of the comfort zone of his kitchen, challenging him to produce a gourmet meal in a unique location within the Southern Sun Hyde Park property. “We’re aiming to prove that Tsogo Sun chefs can produce the finest showcase of their food and their menu in the most challenging location,” says Priya Naidoo, General Manager, Group Communication for Tsogo Sun.

Jordaan rose to the challenge by presenting guests with tasting portions from his new menu in the porte-cochère of the hotel. Course after mouth-watering course was seamlessly served to guests who were comfortably seated at the light and airy entrance to the hotel, six floors below the kitchen.

Jordaan is a wholehearted believer that diners taste with their eyes, incorporating what he terms “funky plating techniques” into his repertoire. Starters have a distinct wow factor and main courses are hearty and flavourful. Having reduced the size of the menu, Jordaan’s dishes display enormous attention to detail and a focus on achieving consistency and high standards. A choice of eight starters, 16 main courses and six desserts offer a balanced selection of dishes that accommodate a range of dietary requirements and all showcase Jordaan’s philosophy of simplicity and quality. “If you eat at Lucé, you eat good food,” he says.

Lucé is situated in Southern Sun Hyde Park, from where it looks out on the Sandton skyline and leafy suburb of Hyde Park through an impressive wall of windows. Magnificent views coupled with fine wines, including a variety of Tsogo Sun’s auction wines, carefully selected and purchased from the Nederburg and Cape Winemaker’s Guild auctions, and paired with Lucé’s delectable new menu, make this a truly memorable dining experience.

Highlights on the new menu include salad caprese, featuring a variety of plump tomatoes, crisp sage, mushrooms, aged balsamic and basil oil; salmon with cauliflower purée, grape oil, dill pine nuts and capers; chicken supreme with creamed goats cheese, root vegetables, puttanesca stuffing, lemon and thyme; the incomparable surf ‘n turf, with its mouthwatering sous vide beef fillet, poached lobster tail, lobster roe ricotta, pappardelle and crisp leek; and the piece de resistance – Italian crepe, orange diplomat, vanilla ice cream, peach and basil compote.

For bookings, contact Lucé on +2711 341-8080.

Tsogo Sun’s portfolio includes over 90 hotels and 14 casino and entertainment destinations throughout South Africa, Africa, the Seychelles and Abu Dhabi. For further information, visit tsogosun.com, follow on Twitter and Instagram @TsogoSun or like on Facebook/TsogoSun.

ISSUED BY TSOGO SUN HOLDINGS. FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT:

Priya Naidoo  | General Manager- Group Communications | Tel: 011 510 7583 | Fax: 011 510 7231 |

Cell: 084 440 0022

About Tsogo Sun

Tsogo Sun is the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, the Seychelles and Abu Dhabi.

The company’s hospitality interests offer a wide distribution of hotels in Africa, providing world-class accommodation across all markets, including elegant, individually branded luxury hotels and well-known trusted market leaders in the premier through budget segments, including Southern Sun Hotels, Garden Court, SunSquare, StayEasy and SUN1 hotels.

The exciting urban and resort casino portfolio includes the most popular entertainment destinations, strategically located throughout South Africa. In the Gauteng province, Tsogo Sun owns the group’s flagship property, Montecasino in Fourways, which features, amongst other attractions, the award-winning Teatro; Gold Reef City Casino and Theme Park in Southern Johannesburg; and Silverstar Casino to the West in Krugersdorp.

Additional properties are owned and operated in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, including the jewel on Durban’s Golden Mile, Suncoast Casino, Hotels and Entertainment.

Tsogo Sun Citizenship is the group’s corporate citizenship strategy which encompasses three areas of focus. This includes Corporate Social Investment, whereby the group promotes the development of learners through three academies which offer holistic, full-year programmes centred around sport, art and education; Entrepreneur Development which focuses on skills-based entrepreneurial development through its Tsogo Sun Book a Guesthouse and Supplier Development programmes; and Environmental Education, committed to initiatives that reduce the impact the business has on the environment.

Tsogo Sun (“TSH”) is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.  The key shareholders of Tsogo Sun are Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited (“HCI”), a JSE listed investment holding company.

Tsogo Sun Gaming supports the National Responsible Gambling Programme. Winners know when to stop.  Only persons over the age of 18 are permitted to gamble. National Problem Gambling counselling toll-free helpline: 0800 006 008.

For more information go to tsogosun.com, follow us on Twitter @TsogoSun or like us on Facebook.