Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Change is in the air for Cape Town eatery Dear Me, as plans go ahead to extend Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar to the level once occupied by The White Room.

The extension of Tjing Tjing, motivated by demand that exceeds current capacity, will be ideal for groups who want table service. While the rooftop bar’s main focus will remain on cocktails, the new level will stock high-end and rare wines (also available by the glass), as well as top-shelf spirits and even sake. Chefs Christi Semczyszyn and Mzoli Sixolo will man the kitchen, and wine steward Samuel Ross is on board to manage the wine list. The new venue will serve both small and large ‘sharing’ plates, which can be paired with wines.

The space consists of two lounge areas and will include its own small bar. “As this will be a seated space only, the ambience will be more conducive for conversation,” explains Ilze. As Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar is known for its eclectic décor, we are intrigued to see what the new space will look like. Owner Ilze says it will retain Tjing Tjing’s Japanese influences but with a Victorian twist. Ilze is working alongside a number of local artists and designers for the revamp. These include designers Francois du Plessis and Daniel Ting Chong, and artist Jade Klara.

The separate 40-seater room once occupied by The White Room (where award-winning chef Vanessa Marx once wowed guests) will still be available for private events and daytime seminars, as will the rest of the middle level. “The bar and larger lounge area will be able to accommodate 30 people, so all in all, that’s about 70 people seated on the middle level of our building,” Ilze tells us.

Tjing Tjing and Dear Me will be closing shop from 7 to 12 April 2015 to make way for the renovations, and the team is hoping to start trading at the new venue towards the beginning of May.