After 16 years in the business, Natasha Sideris for the first time, personally hosted a hand-selected group of media to experience her updated much-loved Classic Menu. With her ever-growing team at tashas, 6 new dishes were crafted and added with a splash of freshness and some sure-fire favourites for Vegans & Vegetarians.
- Over 30 dishes were prepped for consideration and shortlisting.
- There are currently 22 tashas across South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
- Natasha’s first book ‘Cafe Classics’ sold over 15’000 copies.
- Visit www.sandtontimes.co.za for more stories.
As many tashas fans know well, each tashas store has two menus – the Classic Menu, available at every location, and the Inspired Menu, which is unique to each specific tashas offering patrons a choice of the familiar or an opportunity to try something totally different.
The new dishes on our Classic Menu reflect feedback from our customers – a continuing shift to healthier eating, vegan options or a flexitarian approach to vegetarianism – the option to add in protein. The Inspired Menus will remain the same for now.
// tashas Founder and CEO, Natasha Sideris
Having started with a single tashas store in Atholl Square in 2005, South African-born entrepreneur, Natasha Sideris has grown the group across multiple cities around the world and expanded the tashas brand, encompassing: tashas, Flamingo Room by tashas, Avli by tashas and GALAXY BAR.
During the luncheon, we had the opportunity to enjoy each of the new dishes, all vegetarian with the option to add a protein, as a taster, not the full portion. Part of the new menu addition, is a selection of smoothies. We’ve ranked them according to our favourites.
1. Berry Açaí at R68
Banana, Berries, Coconut Milk, Dates, Açaí, Cranberry & Honey
2. Green Goddess at R68
Banana, Pineapple, Kale, Apple, Honey, Mint, Cucumber & Lemon
3. Golden Mango Rooibos at R68
Mango, Yoghurt, Honey, Orange, Chia, Turmeric & A Rooibos Shot
One smoothie we didn’t have the space to try is the Peanut Protein at R68
Peanut Butter, Banana, Almond Milk, Chia Seeds, Spiced Agave Syrup & Cinnamon
If breakfast is your favourite meal of the day, you’ll know tashas has always had a great menu for that – now, they’ve added an additional dish which is divine (and they should probably package and sell to take home).
Little Miss Sunshine at R88
Homemade Granola, Caramelised Fruits, Yoghurt, Berries, Paw Paw Curd, Coconut Flakes & Mint
For those in a Brunch or Lunch mood, there’s a list of new dishes, which we’ve also ranked according to our favourites!
1. Butternut Zucchini Rosti at R98 (We recommend adding some Salmon on this one)
Butternut & Zucchini Rostis, Labneh, Lime, Grilled Onions, Rocket, Red Onion, Chives, Roasted Butternut, Pickled Red Onion, Coriander, Sunflower & Pumpkin Seeds
2. Sicilian Panini at R92
Ciabatta, Olive Tapenade, Napoletana, Sauteed Brown Mushrooms, Capers, Olives, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Basil & Mozzarella
3. tashas Comfort Quinoa Bowl at R104
Red & White Quinoa, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Sauteed Brown Mushrooms, Napoletana, Chives, Spring Onion, Egg & Crispy Chilli Mushrooms
4. Zucchini Rosa at R98
Zucchini Spaghetti, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Olives, Red Onion, Capers, Baby Spinach, Napoletana & Crispy Chilli Mushrooms
5. Barley & Broccoli Salad at R126
Barley, Charred Long Stem Broccoli, Rocket, Sundried Tomatoes, Pine Nuts, Cherry Tomatoes, Grilled Onions, Pumpkin Seeds, Lemon Basil Dressing, Feta Yoghurt, Sunflower Seed Brittle & Preserved Lemon
As winter sneaks in, there’s a delicious new Homemade Honeybush Chai at R33, which is really delicious and an interactive experience.
The new dishes combine seasonal flavours and textures and are designed to be bursting with excitement in every bite.
// Head Chef for South Africa, Sasha Basson
In developing the dishes, Natasha and her team followed a rigorous research and testing process. From there, the six dishes were selected and then refined before being listed on the menu. We were impressed to find out that nothing at tashas is pre-made or pre-cut. Every dish is made to order to keep the freshness of every ingredient.
We live in a world where everything is automated and instant – but we believe it is important to slow down and celebrate the handmade – even if that means waiting 20 minutes for a dish that is prepared with care. It might be old-fashioned, but we want our customers to have a complete dining experience – service, décor and food.
// tashas Founder and CEO, Natasha Sideris
The new dishes are available in all tashas stores in South Africa from March 2021.
Get the best of The Sandton Times in your email inbox.
Head back to The Sandton Times Home Page for more stories.
