South Africa, Cape Town, 9 December 2021; THE remarkable rejuvenation of The Winchester Hotel in Cape Town has brought contemporary décor and coastal chic to one of Cape Town’s most famous seafront destinations. And keeping in step with the eye-catching evolution of this much-loved locale, the hotel’s restaurant and bar have been beautifully reinvented.

Now known as Shoreditch House, the hotel’s flagship restaurant promises contemporary dining across a menu of shareable small plates and creative main courses. At the adjoining Harvey’s Bar – paying tribute to the rich family legacy of this iconic property – sundowners, classic cocktails and fine wine are the hallmarks.

Shoreditch House draws its inspiration, and moniker, from the vibrant district in London that has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance in recent years.

“It’s a perfect mirror of what we’re creating here at The Winchester Hotel. We want to rejuvenate an absolutely iconic destination in Cape Town, and tap into the fantastic new energy that’s running through the property,” explains seasoned restaurateur Rory Jossel, who has taken over the operation of both Shoreditch House and Harvey’s Bar.

“At Shoreditch House we’re not restricting ourselves to a specific style of cuisine,” adds Jossel. “Instead we’re choosing to focus on how each dish is prepared, celebrating South Africans’ affinity for flame, fire and smoke.”

Behind the scenes, the refitted kitchen now includes a custom-built charcoal grill. With variable grids and sufficient space to accommodate a variety of cooking temperatures, the inventive setup has inspired no end of creativity from Head Chef Tim Pick.

Tomatoes are seared and caramelised for the vibrant salad of seasonal tomatoes, feta and red onion. The ‘Dirty Rib-eye’ is sealed in searing hot coals, while the oven-pit cauliflower with chimichurri will please vegetarians and meat-lovers alike.

The menu at Shoreditch House has been imagined around all-day dining, whether you’re cruising in from the ‘Prom’ for a few small plates, or dressed to the nine’s for a night out. 

Expect an inventive selection of creative small plates, tempting main courses and generous side dishes. If there’s a golden thread binding the menu together it’s a subtle celebration of New World influences, with Asian and Mexican flavours that perfectly balance out the elements of fire and smoke in each dish.

Small plates run from seared tuna tacos topped with Mexican mole and fresh salsa, to a superb springbok tartare tossed in a fragrant Asian dressing and showered with shards of crispy leeks. For light summer plates, you’ll be hard-pressed to beat the line fish ceviche swimming in fragrant leche de tigre and topped with red onion and coriander. Calamari, always a crowd-pleaser, here comes enlivened with fried ginger and chilli.

Main courses are meaty in focus, including a beef short rib slow-cooked to succulent perfection and glazed with teriyaki, and a charred line fish served with fresh herbs, fennel butter and yuzu salt. Vegetarians are well taken care of, however, with a delicious choice of risotto plates.

“There are also a lot of wonderful vegetarian side dishes, which are quite generous, and in combining a selection of those plates vegetarian diners enjoy a fantastic choice of flavours,” says Jossel. “But as we settle into the season, and as the menu expands, we’ll be adding additional dishes, including more vegetarian main course options.”

Brunch is coming back!

In step with the subtle rejuvenation of the hotel and dining experience Jossel also plans to revive and reinvent the ever-popular Sunday jazz brunches that once brought locals flocking from across Cape Town.

While final plans are still under wraps, look forward to a generous Harvest Table offering prime cuts roasted on the charcoal grill, alongside seasonal salads, fresh breads and decadent desserts.

Across the hotel lobby from Shoreditch House is Harvey’s Bar; the name a testament to the family that has owned The Winchester Hotel for decades.

Alongside sleek Scandi-chic décor and striking wallpaper by design studio Lemon, a sensitive refurbishment has lightened and brightened the new Harvey’s Bar, with glass doors and walls allowing sea views to wash in.

Behind the bar, the focus is on classic cocktails done to perfection, while Jossel’s handpicked wine list delves into some of the Cape’s leading boutique cellars, with an extensive selection available by the glass.

“I am passionate about wine, and I really wanted to step away from the same old estates and producers to offer a wine list that’s really inventive, across a range of different and unsung regions of the Cape,” says Jossel.

Complementing the inspired drinks selection is a compact menu of small plates and canapés – think oysters doused in piquant pico de gallo, and bowls of crispy teriyaki-glazed chicken wings – creating the perfect pre-dinner destination.

“At both Shoreditch House and Harvey’s Bar our goal has been to create a menu and a dining experience that will draw diners in every week,” says Jossel. “To make it a place that’s welcoming to Capetonians and local visitors, as much as our in-house guests.”

Judging by the crowds of hungry diners and sundowner seekers in the few short weeks since the re-opening, word is already out about the most exciting new destination on the Atlantic Seaboard this summer.

For booking enquiries call 021 110 5006 or email shoreditchhouse@winchester.co.za

About NEWMARK Hotels, Reserves, Lodges and Residences

NEWMARK manages a bespoke collection of hotels, reserves, lodges and residences in South Africa, East Africa, Mauritius and most recently gained a foothold in Central Europe through the acquisition of a collection of boutique hotels in Portugal. The company’s portfolio includes Cape Town addresses, the Victoria & Alfred Hotel, the deluxe Dock House Boutique Hotel & Spa, the Queen Victoria Hotel & Manor House and The Onyx Hotel on the Foreshore. Further into South Africa, the collection boasts the Eastern Cape’s legendary Drostdy Hotel in the historic town of Graaff-Reinet as well as the nearby Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve. Motswari Private Game Reserve in the Timbavati Nature Reserve and the Nkomazi Private Game Reserve in Mpumalanga complete the reserve collection. NEWMARK recently cemented a presence in South Africa’s financial capital, Johannesburg, with the launch of The Catalyst Hotel situated in vibrant Sandton.

Beyond South Africa’s borders, NEWMARK represents and manages the boutique addresses of La Maison d’Été in Mauritius and Chuini Zanzibar Beach Lodge in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The company also represents a collection of luxury hotels in Portugal within the UNLOCK hospitality brand.

Currently under construction, The Rockefeller launches on the Foreshore, Cape Town mid-December 2021.

New projects include the much anticipated Blue Amber property development on an idyllic tranche of Zanzibar’s sun-washed coastline that encompasses the beach-chic Shirazi Resort & Villas; opening early 2023.

For more information about the company visit: www.newmarkhotels.com

For Press and Media assistance, contact Ian Hamilton Manley of ManleySocial via email ian@publicity.co.za or +27 (0)82 826 0456.

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