Aduna Bistro: Where Diversity and Style are Paired and Plated
Written by: Renate Engelbrecht
Nestled in the heart of Melrose Arch, the elegant Aduna Bistro – hidden behind the doors of the Autograph Collection’s African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel, Johannesburg – subtly lures patrons in for what we can affirm would be a magical meal.
Beautiful, modern chandeliers hang overhead as you enter and tables and chairs in neutral hues are scattered throughout the restaurant space. In the middle, a large table filled with humungous cakes and supersized biscuits tempt you even before you’ve had lunch and against the walls, brightly coloured bird-inspired artworks add to the ambiance.
Seated next to the window overlooking the square, our noses in the menu, we contemplated between smaller plates, sushi or mains. Aduna’s menu is rather extensive and we needed some time to consider our options. So, to buy ourselves some time, we ordered a Piña Colada mocktail, which instantly transported us to a beach in the Seychelles with its island-style flavours. Slowly, we paged through the menu as we sipped on the heavenly combination of pineapple and coconut.
Since we were there for lunch and the sudden snow on the Drakensberg had shoved spring out the door and kicked us into winter gear once more, we were in the mood for something hearty and wholesome. We finally opted for their Teriyaki Salmon – a crispy salmon served with garlic pak choi, edamame beans and a refreshing wasabi mayonnaise and Teriyaki sauce, topped with a handful of Thai crispy rice noodles. While the dish leaned toward Asian cuisine, the menu features various hints of local cuisine, including a generous portion of slow braised oxtail in a rich, red wine sauce, served with baby carrots and a traditional, creamy samp.
At the table across from us, guests were indulging in burgers from the weekly special menu – R95 for your choice of one out of three mains on Mondays to Fridays between noon and 15:00. On the day of our visit, the two alternatives to the Classic Cheeseburger our neighbours were enjoying, included a Halloumi and Avo Salad, or Aduna Bistro’s Chicken Pesto Pasta.
Finally, we ended off our lunch on a sweet note, with the hotel restaurant’s Milk Tart Crème Brûlée, complemented by an elegantly served Americano.
Aduna – managed and run by an external company called The Venue – reverberates sophistication and style and with a menu so vast, you’re likely to find something that will tickle your taste buds. If you’re looking for the perfect hidden gem for a bubbly brunch, light lunch or delicious dinner in Melrose Arch, Aduna Bistro might just be the answer.
