Summertime in Jozi is the perfect excuse for sundowners in a spectacular setting, and there are few as perfect as Southern Sun Hyde Park Hotel’s pool deck.

To celebrate the new season, warm summer evenings and highveld sunsets, the hotel’s popular Island Bar has revamped its menu to add some culinary flair to what is already a popular destination for Jozi’s trendy crowd.

The tapas selection offers an array of vegetarian, meat and fish dishes featuring a fresh take on traditional favourites, including Crumbed mushrooms and garlic pesto aioli; Cheese & corn poppers; Mushroom & mozzarella arancini; Sriracha chicken wings; Grilled sliced sirloin with rosemary jus.

Other menus in the tapas selection are Pulled beef taco served with pickled cabbage and sour cream; Lamb & coriander kofta; Braised pork taco; Chorizo and lentils ciabatta; and Crispy calamari, lemon & sriracha aioli.

Burger options for meat-lovers include the signature Hyde Park beef burger with a 200g patty topped with honey-glazed bacon and melted emmental cheese and the Hyde Park chicken burger with a 200g grilled breast with bacon and a blue cheese sauce.

The Banting option promises to be a winner, offering a Carb-free beef or chicken burger with fresh Asian greens, tomato, gherkin, a 200g patty, mozzarella, pineapple chutney and avocado.

The salad selection includes Tian of feta with cherry tomatoes, grilled eggplant, arugula lettuce, carrot, cucumber, and toasted bruschetta; and a unique creation titled Beetroot of textures, with grilled baby beetroot, candy stripe beetroot, pickled golden beetroot, beetroot jelly, dried beetroot, and grape & walnut salad and goat’s cheese; and a Greek salad.

Not-to-be-skipped desserts include Chocalatissimo chocolate soufflé with a melted chocolate centre, vanilla ice-cream, shortbread crumble, and fresh berries; Chocolate torta with passion fruit served with mango sorbet, crumble and berry coulis; and Pistachio & matcha panna cotta.

Located in one of Sandton’s most exclusive suburbs, Southern Sun Hyde Park Hotel features beautiful views from the pool deck and is a trending spot to ease into the weekend, with Friday Sundowner sessions featuring top local and international DJs.

Photo credit: Bjorn Salsone