Simply Asia is set to become a household name in Pretoria. With the branch in Gift Acres Shopping Centre doing exceptionally well it appears that the restaurant franchise’s belief for serving food that is healthy, fresh and pure is in huge demand in the North of Gauteng as yet another Simply Asia opens its doors in Moreleta Plaza, East of Pretoria. And what better way for Pretoria residents to celebrate a sizzling South African summer than by enjoying the exotic and spicy flavours that make for deliciously refreshing, nutritious authentic Thai meals.

Following on from their massive success in Cape Town the award-winning Cape Thai Restaurant Holdings Group opened several franchises in Gauteng under the Simply Asia banner and Moreleta Plaza’s Thai eatery is about to become the talk of the town as it welcomes food lovers into its warm and vibrant interior. The owner Nomsa Sebata describes her restaurant as “Very welcoming as my front-of-house staff have excellent product knowledge and provide very good service. The chefs are passionate about delighting customers with a superior product each time they prepare a meal. You can expect to be delighted by our authentic Thai dishes, in a very relaxing, friendly environment.”

It’s hard to believe that this passionate restaurateur started out in the medical world as a registered nurse. After spending three years in Zimbabwe, where her husband worked for Coca-Cola, it was when they came back home to South Africa that Nomsa felt she needed a new challenge in life. She made a life-changing decision to run her own business. It was a match made in heaven when she bought Simply Asia Moreleta Plaza. Her nursing experience was put to good use when it came to dealing with people and running a restaurant with healthy eating values. “I love nutritious food and my background made me knowledgeable in its many benefits. Nursing also turned me into a hands-on person and I love interacting with people – serving them, making them feel comfortable, makes my day,” she remarks.

This Thai food & noodle bar has a diverse and affordable menu – eat a three course meal for around R120 – introducing a huge variety of flavoursome and spicy Thai dishes that are prepared to perfection and presented with absolute style. “My favourite dishes are Chicken cashew nut with roasted chilli and Prawns & Mussels with rice noodles and roasted chilli… That would be 514 and 606 on the menu list,” says Nomsa with a hint of satisfaction. In keeping with the style of simplicity, the somewhat unpronounceable dishes on the menu are coded, allowing guests to simply order by number.

Only the freshest ingredients and exclusively imported Thai spices make their way into the kitchen, where the skilful chefs conjure up fragrant and spicy creations that smack of Asia. The menu is a real delight with offerings of scrumptious starters like the delectable crispy sweet corn cakes and a selection of spring rolls, chicken satay skewers with dipping sauce, as well as other mouth-watering temptations like the simply divine dim sum, which are very popular on the menu and come in five different delicious flavours on one platter – all starters are fairly priced between R24 and R33 per portion.

As main options go it’s the Gai Pad Med Prik-Phao - chicken stir-fried with cashew nuts and roasted chilli paste, served on a bed of rice; and the Ba Mee Nua Pra-Ram - succulent beef simmered in a spicy peanut sauce, served with yellow noodles, that are most popular at Simply Asia Moreleta Plaza and have people coming back for more. The other choices of main dishes are simply delicious, too! Try the Geang Phed Nua - beef red curry with rice or the perfect-for-summer Pad Thai Goong, a serving of traditional Thai noodles, stir-fried with prawns and bean sprouts for a taste sensation that is known to get the toughest taste buds tingling. All easily affordable at only R47 – R64.

In fact, it’s these deliciously exotic, wholesome flavours that epitomise this vivacious restaurant, and coupled with the chain’s philosophy of simplicity, affordability and ease, at this Thai oasis, the food and stylish décor casually combine creating a vibrantly warm and sensationally tasty experience.

To enquire or make a booking contact 012 993 1634/fax 012 993 0225 or visit the website www.simplyasia.co.za. Simply Asia, Moreleta Plaza, Cnr Rubenstein and Garsfontein Rds, Pretoria.

Simply Asia’s reputation for excellence in its chain of restaurants is what makes it a win-win business opportunity for any potential franchisee. For more information about the franchise contact Franchise Director Philip Smith on 082 490 1856 or philip@simplyasia.co.za