First Look: New Sandton Restaurant Opens Its ROARs

A fresh addition to Sandton’s gastronomic scene, ROAR Bistro & Bar, has opened its doors to the public, promising to deliver a delicious melting pot of decadent flavours served tapas-style.

ROAR is owned by the Legacy Group and is staking its claim as Sandton’s new unique dining spot.
The restaurant, with its Parisian street-side setup and tapas-style menu, offers an eclectic mix of global cuisines.
Some of the signature dishes on the menu include the curried coconut mussels, deep-fried whole fish, Mauritian chicken curry and the Asador lamb with pomegranate & yoghurt.
Visit www.sandtontimes.co.za for more stories.

The Sandton Times joined an exclusive group of media for a first look luncheon at ROAR Bistro & Bar in the heart of Sandton – directly opposite the Sandton Convention Centre and at the foot of the Michelangelo Towers. ROAR’s offering was conceptualised based on its proximity to the thousands of residents, tourists, and conference delegates who live, work, stay and play in the area.

There is even a deli for passers-by needing to grab something quick and delicious on the go, including a selection of freshly crafted coffees brewed by ROAR’s trained barrister and a plethora of home baked pastries, patisseries, and handcrafted sandwiches, all made on-site by the chef team.

We wanted to create a dining experience that would be one-of-its-kind in Sandton. By taking full advantage of our street-side location and creating a small plate menu with a fusion of African, European, Middle Eastern and Mauritian flavours, we have certainly achieved this.

// COO of Legacy Hotels & Resorts, Robert Hodson

According to Executive Chef Atma Mahadea and Restauranteur Consultant, Larry Steenkamp, small plates tie into the international trend of being able to taste a little of everything and fits into the Joburg culture of dining to socialize – and you certainly won’t be disappointed, if our luncheon is anything to go by!

Unlike Capetonians who dine purely for the gastronomic experience, Joburgers go out to spend time with friends and family over good food and drinks. With the restaurant also being in the tourism hub, we decided to create a variety of small dishes representing a host of global cuisines we are inspired by.

// Larry Steenkamp

The restaurant’s design and layout were dreamed into reality by the creative flair of Varoom Interiors. The designers chose a colour pallet of teal, tomato red and brass which were inspired by the bistro’s vibrant focal point – a graffitied art piece of a male lion created by Nick Kerr of Dekor1. With seating for up to 120 guests the space features a large bar overlooking a comfortable lounge area where guests can sit back, relax and order wines off a bespoke wine list or choose from a selection of cocktails crafted by ROAR’s mixologist.

The conservatory area of the restaurant boasts floor-to-ceiling glass featuring lots of natural light and plants. Guests also have the choice of two outdoor seating areas, both shielded by foliage-filled planter boxes and overlooking the bustling walkway of Maude Street, giving it a very European city feel – a street dining culture Sandton has been lacking.