South Africa, Johannesburg, 18 February 2025; Johannesburg’s dining scene has just turned up a notch thanks to the city’s Pot Luck Club by Luke Dale Roberts moving from its Oxford Parks location in Rosebank to The Peech Hotel in Melrose. The original Pot Luck Club Cape Town in Woodstock as well as its Johannesburg younger counterpart are renowned for their innovative, globally inspired dishes and signature small-plate dining.

The move to The Peech Hotel in Melrose marks an important milestone for both the restaurant and the boutique hotel. Known for its Afro-Chic style and intimate atmosphere, The Peech celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024. With the arrival of The Pot Luck Club, the hotel now offers locals and visitors a dining experience that aligns with its ethos of understated elegance. Situated within The Peech’s two-acre lush garden, the new Pot Luck Club Johannesburg provides both indoor and alfresco dining, including family-friendly Sunday lunches and gatherings with friends. Pot Luck regulars will recognise the signature interior design style.

The owners of The Peech, James and Vicky’s  vision for the boutique city hotel has always been to create a space where comfort, style, and top-tier hospitality come together. Partnering with Luke Dale Roberts and his team marks a new era, as The Pot Luck Club brings its inventive and energetic approach to the hotel’s dining experience.

“I’ve always been a tremendous admirer of Luke’s food, and his approach as a restaurateur and chef,” says James Peech. “Marking 20 years in business was a turning point for our family-run hotel, and we wanted to continue evolving what we offer both travellers and locals. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Luke in this next chapter.”

Luke Dale Roberts shares his excitement about the move: “The new location at The Peech is absolutely ideal, offering both indoor and outdoor seating, including a lovely terrace and vibrant gardens. We want guests to start with a Pot Luck signature cocktail in the gardens and then either stroll over to the restaurant for their meal or choose to dine beneath the tree canopies. It’s the perfect setting for a relaxed lunch or dinner in a peaceful, beautiful environment. When James and Vicky presented the idea to us, we gave it careful thought. The Peech, renowned as one of the continent’s finest boutique hotels, aligns perfectly with our values. This new chapter for The Pot Luck Club feels like a natural evolution.”

The space

Previously home to Basalt, the restaurant space has been reimagined. The redesign is a collaboration between Aparna Ramani (Aparna Ramani Design) and Richard Ball (RAB Designs), blending The Pot Luck Club’s urban energy with the hotel’s quiet elegance. Natural materials such as Namibian marble, oak flooring, and terracotta tiles introduce warmth and texture, reflecting the surrounding gardens. Industrial elements – including exposed steel furniture and city-grey tiles – add contrast, while original furniture from both The Peech and The Pot Luck Club has been thoughtfully reworked to maintain continuity.

Art and lighting play a pivotal role in defining the space. Soft linear LEDs highlight architectural details, while a striking origami installation by artist Maia Lehr-Sacks, adds movement and nostalgia. Monotype artworks by Johannesburg-based artist David Tsoka explore themes of interconnectedness, bridging the mechanical with the organic. The result is a space that feels both familiar and new – a seamless fusion of heritage and reinvention.

The dining

At the helm of the Johannesburg kitchen is Head Chef Ebie du Toit, working alongside Pot Luck Club’s Group Executive Chef Jason Kosmas, who brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the restaurant’s approach to cuisine. Du Toit has played a formative role within the group since The Test Kitchen era, and together with Kosmas, he ensures that the Pot Luck Club’s much-admired menu and service, remain consistent while also embracing fresh inspiration from its new address.

For regulars, the menu will feel reassuringly familiar. The experience begins with Pot Luck’s signature bread course, followed by “Family Favourites,” including signature dishes including the famous chickpea fries with aioli and smoked ketchup, and awesome beef fillet with café au lait sauce—both enduring crowd-pleasers. Some classics have been adapted for The Peech, while new additions ensure the menu remains vibrant and full of surprises.

Beyond the cuisine, The Pot Luck Club Johannesburg is known for its bold, inventive cocktails and a wine list that champions small, interesting producers, perfectly complementing the wide-ranging dishes on offer. Every element is designed to enhance the dining experience.

Overseeing day-to-day operations is Gray Tawanda, the longest-serving manager from the original Pot Luck Club in Cape Town. Now leading the new Johannesburg team, Gray brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to service that defines the Pot Luck Club’s ethos. 

The Pot Luck Club at The Peech is poised to become one of Johannesburg’s most sought-after dining destinations, attracting discerning international travellers and local food enthusiasts alike with its distinctive setting, exceptional cuisine, and relaxed elegance.

Visit The Pot Luck Club Johannesburg at The Peech Hotel. Open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch from Noon (last booking at 2pm) and dinner Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm (last booking at 9pm).

For reservations, call +27 010 1575757, visit www.thepotluckclubjhb.co.za or email reservations@plcj.co.za

For more information about The Peech Hotel, visit: www.thepeech.co.za

For press enquiries, contact Lise or Ian Manley of Manley Communications Atelier via premierbrands@publicity.co.za

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