The Wes Bistro & Bar: A Charming French Restaurant with a Wes Anderson Twist
When we heard there was a new Wes Anderson-themed restaurant in Cape Town, we couldn’t resist visiting. In retrospect, when we arrived at the new bistro on Shortmarket Street, we were half-expecting a gimmicky concept restaurant. One where mediocre food hides behind a clever Instagram-worthy concept. That was not the case at all.
A Whimsical French Bistro Setting
Walking up a pink balustraded staircase into the restaurant, we passed a large mural of the Grand Budapest Hotel, a fictional pink hotel from the movie of the same name. The same pink colour, typical of the pastels Wes uses in his movies, carries through the entire restaurant.
A fountain stands in the centre of the room, overflowing not with water but dried flowers. This perfectly symmetrical centre piece echoes the symmetrical shots in Wes’s movies. Plush seating surrounds it, facing outwards towards small tables that look like they belong at a café in Paris.
If you expect the décor to directly replicate or reference specific Wes Anderson films, apart from the mural, it might leave you somewhat disappointed. It does seem to be a likely setting for one though — just not one you’ve seen as yet. The light and quirky French bistro soundtrack perfectly complements the ambience, setting the tone for what’s to come.
Wes Anderson-inspired Cocktails
What is more directly related to Wes Anderson is the bistro’s signature cocktails. You can try Cpt. Steve Zissou’s Revenge (inspired by The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou), Mr Fox’s Sly Bourbon (inspired by Fantastic Mr. Fox) and The Grand Budapest. We had the latter, a gin-based cocktail. The subtle floral notes of lavender and rosemary intertwined with the zesty lemon under a cloud of frothy perfection.
French Bistro Cuisine with a Twist
Megan Kritzinger of Stellski Coffee Bar & Café drew inspiration from her time in France to create this concept.
“My vision for The Wes is inspired by my love for classic French bistros, a passion shaped during my time living in Nice, studying French at university and travelling across France. I’ve always admired the accessibility and quality of French cuisine, where everything is made from scratch, and I wanted to bring that same approach to Cape Town.”
Local legend, Chef Peter Goffe-Wood, conceptualised and designed the food. His cuisine celebrates the simple elegance of French cooking, using locally sourced, ethically and sustainably produced ingredients.
We started with the Soup de Jour, a French onion soup. It showcased a masterful balance of sweet caramelised onions and savoury broth, topped with a golden, bubbling crust of cheese. Yum!
For the main course, we had the roast de-boned free-range half chicken with straw potatoes, garlic and tarragon butter. The chicken was perfectly roasted, juicy and full of flavour. It delivered a perfect balance of richness and simplicity, leaving us savouring every bite. How the chef managed to pack so much flavour into just the chicken, we would love to know!
The dark chocolate pot de crème & macaron for dessert was an indulgent masterpiece. The velvety smooth, rich chocolate with a hint of coffee paired perfectly with two delicate, airy and sweet macarons.
Not Just a Concept Restaurant
The Wes Bistro & Bar is not just a quirky concept restaurant where influencers go to create content. Instead, it is a sophisticated Parisian bistro with elegant playful décor, great service, a chef who knows what he’s doing and a touch of Wes Anderson’s whimsy. Be sure to try it out the next time you’re looking for a memorable dining experience in Cape Town.
