Back on Bree: Chefs Warehouse & Canteen

New 'Big City Look'... urban dining and people watching

Last updated: Tuesday, 12 August 2024 

It's time.

Chefs Warehouse & Canteen is open, on the ground floor of 91 Bree Street, the triple story building which has been entirely renovated by the Tomlins since its previous iteration as The Bailey.

The new look is rustic exposed brickwork and concrete, steel, black tiling and sexy modern lighting, featuring a number of artworks by Paul du Toit, who was a close friend.

The new look is rustic exposed brickwork and concrete and sexy modern lighting. Image: Chefs Warehouse & Canteen

This includes the large rectangular black and white graphic du Toit-inspired table with its red leather chairs, the perfect spot for sharing Tapas for 2.

A variety of seating means that just like the food, there’s something for everybody. At the centre of the restaurant is a long wood table with barstools taking a cue from the original Chefs Warehouse & Canteen with its communal dining, complete with the old uncomfortable stools!

Other seating includes simple contemporary white round and rectangular wood-topped tables with both plain and leather upholstered bench and chair seating.

On the landing next to the bar are two other seating areas: the Paul du Toit family table, and several banquettes under a bank of smoky mirrors. Outside on the Bree Street pavement, there are long tables for urban dining and people watching.  

An open steel staircase with wood treads connects Chefs Warehouse & Canteen to the floor above, which will be home to Merchant Bar & Grill. Image: Chefs Warehouse & Canteen

An open steel staircase with wood treads connects Chefs Warehouse & Canteen to the floor above, which will be home to Merchant Bar & Grill (opening Tuesday 13th August).

The staircase has created a light-filled atrium with dramatic views of the restaurants from above and below. A highlight is the chandelier suspended from above.

A series of butchery inspired ceramic works created by Cape Town-based Ceramic Matters has been refashioned into a large illuminated double-volume chandelier with hanging cleaver, leg of lamb, tube of tomato paste, garlic and chicken feet – as well as comical items like a paintbrush and a rat.

The piece is indicative of the passion and respect that Tomlin and Schneider have for the culinary arts and the old trades of butchery and fishmongery. It’s also an invitation to explore the new concept loading upstairs: Merchant Bar & Grill is an old-school modern restaurant featuring the best local producers, complete with a Larder stocked with house-made charcuterie and other preserves, along with an extensive selection of cheeses. Some of these products will also be on the menu at Chefs Warehouse & Canteen.

Chefs Warehouse & Canteen is a partnership between Liam and Jan Tomlin, and David Schneider. Image: Chefs Warehouse & Canteen

CANTEEN = TAPAS FOR 2

“The original has a deeply personal and special place in our hearts,” says Tomlin. “We loved the compact size and the social vibe it created but it also limited us in terms of seating and overall decor.  In this newly imagined space, we can play more with art, lighting ….we even have space for two wine cellars and a good part of my cookbook collection.”

Tomlin’s cookbook collection is more like a technicolour library visible through a large window overlooking the dining room, with hundreds of jacket-free colour coordinated cookbooks that have inspired him throughout the years.

From Gyoza to Bouillabaisse to Bone Marrow with Beef Short Rib Sharing dishes, flavours and conversation has always been what Chefs Warehouse & Canteen was all about, and the beloved format of Tapas for 2 returns with a four course menu for R800 per person, along with the option of ordering individual plates from an à la carte menu.

Dishes like venison tataki, pork gyoza, roast pork belly with lentil ragout, duck breast with fesujin sauce, and bouillabaisse are back, amongst other old favourites, and a frequently changing Tapas for 2 format will keep the menu as fresh and full of surprises as it was ten years ago when the concept first launched.

Like nearly all of Tomlin’s restaurants, the fixtures are oysters, currently served with Vietnamese Dressing, risotto (currently pea with smoked pork shoulder croquettes) and lemon posset.

The wine selection is impressive, with Tomlin bringing over much of his own personal collection to fill two well-stocked wine cellars, which sandwich the dining room.

You can admire Tomlin’s cookbook collection at the new Chefs Warehouse & Canteen. Image: Chefs Warehouse & Canteen

CHEFS WAREHOUSE & CANTEEN: OPENING TIMES 

Chefs Warehouse & Canteen opened Wednesday 7th August, trading lunch and dinner from a Monday to a Saturday.

You can call them on +27 (0) 21 773 0440 or email 91breestreet@chefswarehouse.co.za or have a look at www.chefswarehouse.co.za.

We can imagine you'd like to know how you can book a table. Simply book a table at Chefs Warehouse on Bree on Dineplan. 

Merchant Bar & Grill opens on Tuesday 13th August from 6pm for dinner service (the bar opens from 5pm) - trading from a Tuesday to a Saturday, exclusively dinner.

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