The Alex Brasserie is scheduled to open mid March (fingers crossed). It is currently undergoing a complete refit incorporating new floors, ceilings (with acoustic dampening to soften noise levels), wall cladding, lift, toilets, furniture, 5m pewter topped bar (made locally from wood panelling reclaimed from the original Cordy's restaurant), a raised stage area, lighting and music systems and a state of the art kitchen. To complement the investment our staff, both current and new, will sport new uniforms and undergo our full inhouse training programme. Behind the scenes we are busy working on the menu which we intend to be informal and friendly but at the samd time enticing. Head chef Preston Bloom is currenty perfecting his recipes for bouillabaisse, French onion soup and finnan haddie pie along with many other classic dishes. Our aim is to provide a menu that you can choose from any time of the day and for any occasion - from lunch with friends (grilled skate wing with caper butter, new pots and green beans) a mid afternoon or pre-theatre snack (charcuterie platter of cured and smoked meats with fresh, crusty bread) or a full evening blow out with oysters and champagne followed by char grilled steak with garlic butter, frites and house green salad. You will also be welcome to pop up and have a coffee whilst enjoying the fantastic sea view. In order to create quality and consistency we intend to open 5 days a week from 11am thru' to 9.30pm (10pm at weekends, closed Mon and Tues) and to generate a buzzy atmosphere and cater more readily at busy times we will not be taking bookings but will operate a "greet and seat" policy - should there be a wait for a table at peak times you will be welcome to order drinks and appetisers whilst perusing the menu in the bar area whilst enjoying the theatre of busy chefs hard at work! These measures have proved to be a successful formula at Café Bencotto and therefore it seems the right approach to take with our latest venture. As always, we are keen to hear our customer's comments and (constructive) feedback - if you don't bump into us in person then feel free to fill in the comments sheet at any Yeo Group venue, and while you're at it, if you sign up to our customer database we will be able to let you know when the brasserie is open.
Please note, the Alex Café Bar will remain open 7 days a week as usual and Café Bencotto will also open 7 days a week during the refurbishment.