The interior at Workshop 55. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Listen up Jozi kids: a brand-new gin and whisky bar opened this Tuesday on 7^th Avenue in Parktown North. Called Workshop 55, the new bar is a collaboration between Gary and Julie Soalheiro (who have run Elevate Roof Top venue for the past few years) and Dario de Angeli of Cube Tasting Kitchen fame.

“We decided it was time to do something great in our own area as we love Parktown North, having lived in the area for the past 15 years,” explains Julie. Having experience with the bar side of things, the couple approached Dario to do something special on the food side. “The concept is integrated social dining; we wanted to encourage patrons to order a variety of dishes to share.”

The drinks menu will cover many of the smaller boutique estates and distilleries, with a selection of small-batch wines. On the gin side, look out for newcomers Hope on Hopkins Distillery and fellow local, Inverroche. “We think cocktails are a bit tired,” says Julie, so they will instead focus on serving great gin and tonics, infused with rosemary and orange, caperatifs (an old white-wine-based aperitif flavoured with herbs and quinine), and port with tonic.

Inside Workshop 55 you’ll find hip, slightly industrial décor. Items from antique shops, a steel-clad bar, pressed ceilings and exposed brickwork create a stylish, pared-down space.

Plates and bowls on the counter top at Workshop 55. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

As for the food, the tapas menu promises dishes like roasted pork belly with hoisin-and-honey glaze, sweet potato and onion rings; exotic mushroom arancini with shaved truffle and sautéed mushrooms, sausage and sauerkraut; and crab salad with roasted game fish, daikon and pickled ginger.

Personally, the Eat Out team is most excited about the prospect of the blonde brownies with amaretto custard; the caramel tart with dulce de leche and toasted nuts; and the lemon curd on crumbled shortbread.

Here’s to gin and dessert!