At The Wes, old Hollywood glamour meets Parisian character and Wes Anderson classics in this new vibrant, cosy inner-city space offering bistro comfort food.
Cape Town now has a new dash of vintage glamour, in a dainty little corner bistro decked out in pastel pales with a swathe of gold trim. It’s called The Wes, and it is fun with a bit of a feather boa, frills and a luxe velvet feel. On street level outside, you’re in inner-city Cape Town. But step indoors and it feels like old Hollywood glamour with a buzzy vibe.
“I call it a frosting cake with that fabric at the top. It’s Great Gatsby, Great Expectations … very whimsical and romantic,” says designer Nicola Orpen of Bone Studio, when I bump into her while entering The Wes via a pink-balustraded staircase, admiring the fabric and flower-festooned central island in the room. Walls and ceilings have soft baby pastel pinks and blues, against the sheen of parquet floors.
A familiar local face is driving The Wes, a casual, vibey bistro and bar. Owner Megan Kritzinger is best known for Stellski Café & Coffee, located a short walk away in Bree Street. Kritzinger lived in France as a young traveller and is still a frequent visitor. The Wes cleverly combines her fascination with anything French, plus her love of Wes Anderson films. Kritzinger punts Andersen’s stylised works for their “symmetry and next-level design, plus a little quirkiness”, mentioning some of her favourite screen titles including The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Royal Tenenbaums and Fantastic Mr Fox. There are nods to those favourites on the bistro menu or in cocktail signatures – how does Cpt Steve Zissou’s revenge (from Life Aquatic), or Mr Fox’s Sly Bourbon sound?
WILD & WHIMSICAL
The Wes is on the ground floor of new The Trade Boutique Hotel and located on the corner of Loop and Shortmarket Sts. Bone Studio was commissioned to add design flair to its flagship restaurant, as well as to inject colour and vibrancy to all the boutique hotel’s rooms and public spaces. Rawson Developers is the developer behind both The Wes and the hotel.
“We created The Wes Restaurant to be the more literal, street-showing face for the hotel. The space had to be wild yet inviting. Whimsical yet robust. Wes Anderson’s movie set palettes are very dreamy with powder blues and pastels, with pops of electric reds and yellows,” explains Orpen.
“The central island in The Wes is Parisian fountain meets Gatsby whimsy. Layers of fabrics and tassels with concealed lighting above an aged fountain, with delicate dried florals transport you into a secret Parisian garden palace.”
Bone Studio was also involved in Mr Moon bar, the hotel’s urban rooftop area accessed via the lift. It continues the playful themes found in The Wes downstairs. The bar and poolside area is for hotel guests. A happy indoor to outdoor space that the design team hopes will inspire guests to “live life light”.
FRENCH AT HEART
The Wes is certainly a step up from running cafes to operating a restaurant, but Kritzinger is loving the challenge. “I’ve always felt French at heart. It’s like, no worries, let’s just enjoy the grander things in life for a while. The waiters in pink bowties, the velvet curtain.
“But it is Loop St … so we wanted to create a little bubble in here, an experience. I’m not a chef but my intention is to create an experience with the atmosphere, food, design, all coming together to make you feel something special. To me, sitting in a bistro is life. It symbolises a love for food, culture, and those timeless moments with a glass of champagne and a plate of moules frites.” Bon appetit!
Head chef Samantha Temmers has worked in hotels and at other Bree St restaurants.
Consulting chef Pete Goffe-Wood was brought in to help the kitchen open. “It’s modern French bistro style – our take on classic French. So, chicken liver parfait to start, moules mariniere with frites, and steak tartare made tableside,” he says.
“In more substantial mains, ribeye with Café de Paris butter, or herb-crusted rack of lamb with ratatouille.” And of course, bouillabaisse, but with a bit of Cape Malay spicing. Followed by crème brûlée.
Kritzinger says they’ve had a great reaction to The Wes. “I love eating out. So, it’s my turn now to create something for other people who also love eating out. It’s quirky, too. Last night … the French music is blaring inside, and then you look out and opposite it’s The House of Machines and okes are out drinking beer.”
The Wes Bistro & Bar. 55 Shortmarket St. Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner; open Sunday lunch. thewes.co.za, Tel 082-770-3573.
IMAGES: CCID, The Wes, The Trade Boutique Hotel
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