Winter Warmers at Punchinello's

Punchinello’s restaurant at Southern Sun Montecasino has just introduced a delectable winter menu, celebrating the restaurant’s fusion of Venetian style and Mediterranean cuisine. The new menu brings guests a variety of dishes, bursting with rich, warm and exotic flavours.

About The New Winter Menu

The menu was created by Kieran Conway, Tsogo Sun Hotel’s Group Development Chef, who boasts three decades with the group. He came to South Africa to join Southern Sun as a young chef in the 1980s after training at London’s Heathrow Penta and in Foggia in south Italy.

"Punchinello’s has always been inspired by Venice’s melting pot of flavours that emanates from their rich heritage. They traded in salt and fish, and priceless spices – saffron, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and pepper. They bought sugar from India and refined it, sold it, and used it. They add a touch of saffron to their polenta and cuttlefish ink to their rice. Venetian cuisine has been described as unique, often simple, and very tasty. To us at Punchinello’s, we are presenting it as a mouth-watering extravaganza", says Conway.

The new Punchinello’s Food & Dreams menu is full of the tastes of the Mediterranean. For starters, dishes include Tuscan Heirloom Tomato Tart with basil emulsion and shaved pecorino; Beef Carpaccio with beetroot falafel; Celery and Parsley Stuffed Calamari and Shredded Lamb Kataifi with smoked bacon relish. Soups include Roasted Tomato and cream with an olive and feta fritter and Mediterranean Chicken Broth and dumplings.

Now onto the mains, which includes the chef’s signature dish of Braised Short-rib with Guinness infused jus; Grilled Salmon Trout and Sardinian Artichoke Pasta; Pan-fried Sole with potato fondant and apple puree; Chargrilled Chicken Souvlaki; Braised Pork Belly; Grilled Lamb Cutlets with parma ham and ratatouille; Beef fillet with grilled sweet potato and roasted garlic and 400g beef T-bone with hand cut fries and apricot & peppadew relish. And if you'd love some pasta or risotto, the menu offers Piemontese tomato & olive stuffed Agnolotti; Pumpkin and Pea Risotto and Punchinello’s classic Veal and Mushroom Fettucine – a house specialty.

A good meal isn't complete without something sweet. The irresistible dessert selection includes Lemon ‘Delizione’ – Italian inspired lemon cheesecake; Venetian Chocolate Mousse; Milk and Honey Chamomile Panna Cotta; Berry Mousse Creation; Jesters Tiramisu Brulee Surprise and Dark Chocolate Fondant with pistachio and orange ice cream.

Also featured in the stunning and stylish menu is a detailed ‘delicious winter recipe’ for Tuscan Tomato Tart with shaved parmesan and onions.

Conway says, “Presentation is always important for creating a visual effect, and we add the extra theatrical touch at Punchinello’s. Food is like fashion, and our menu items are seasonal and reflect the restaurant’s Venetian influence and current culinary trends. We have pulled out the stops to ensure that our restaurant regulars and newcomers will find a lot to delight them.”

For More Information

For more information, visit www.tsogosun.com.

You can also contact them on 011 367 4367 or [email protected].