It’s no exaggeration to say that when chef Liam Tomlin opened Chefs Warehouse & Canteen on Bree Street – with a set menu of small-plate ‘tapas’ dishes – he all but reinvented Cape Town’s foodie landscape.
That was in 2014. But now Tomlin is back, with bold plans to revive the concept – along with two other new venues – in a space just across the road from the original.
In what is currently home to a trio of venues at The Bailey, Tomlin and business partner David Schneider, together with chef Adrian Hadlow, will close the doors on May 15, to spend the winter working on a grand reopening – date still to be confirmed – with a bold new offering.
On the ground floor will be the new/old Chefs Warehouse & Canteen, with a choice of seating at the long communal tables the original restaurant was famous for, along with banquettes and smaller tables. It’s here diners will tuck into the time-honoured menus of global tapas, all served up with a heady urban energy.
One floor above, in what is now home to The Bailey, the charming brasserie will give way to an entirely new creation: Merchant, a unique restaurant that shines a spotlight on local producers.
“In South Africa, we have incredible produce; from meat, game and seafood to vegetables, grains and fruits,” says chef David Schneider. “At Merchant, we want to champion the best producers and their products, and make them the focal point of our offering.”
Schneider is also planning ‘Producer Dinners’ offering multi-course menus focused on specific producers and produce.
Lastly, the top-floor whisky bar will be reinvented as Room 91, a private events space.
With the inner-city streets of Cape Town abuzz with new restaurants and lifestyle developments, watch this space for the latest on this exciting new addition to the city’s foodie landscape
Until then, eat your way through the 15 best restaurants on Bree Street.