Chef Luke Dale Roberts continues to innovate his brand during the uncertain year of 2020. The Shortmarket Club, the beautiful New York-esque restaurant hidden on Shortmarket Street in Cape Town, has been closed since the start of South Africa’s lockdown. Now, with the restaurant industry slowly beginning to recover, Luke has seen the opportunity to rebrand this City Bowl gem.

The iconic butterfly wall at The Shortmarket Grill. Photo supplied.

The Shortmarket Grill, as it will be named, will open on 10 November 2020 and will showcase an upmarket, brasserie-styled menu that lends itself to the venue, décor and location. Prior to the original launch of The Shortmarket Club in 2016, this very concept had been considered, but ultimately a different direction was taken.

The new menu, consisting of à la carte options, is simple in theory but will still boast the finesse Shortmarket is known for. The focus will be on top-quality, locally sourced ingredients skilfully cooked to perfection.

“I think there is an opportunity for a no-frills, honest grill,” says Luke. “The Shortmarket Grill will fit in well with our cluster of restaurants and offer diners a comforting experience in a lavish environment.”

Examples from the grill will include local Wagyu rump, grass-fed fillet, four-bone French-trim lamb rack and market fish of the day grilled on the bone – all served with Luke’s iconic sauces, such as lemon, yuzu and garlic butter; black pepper and truffle café au lait; and wild mushroom.

The bar area at The Shortmarket Club. Photo supplied.

Soup of the day, crispy calamari and pan-seared duck breast will feature as pre-grill options, finishing with classic desserts and South African cheeses that showcase small producers.

The Shortmarket Grill will retain its beautiful interior with leather-lined booths, stained glass, wooden accents and the iconic wall of butterfly art created from Luke’s very first menus.