The Butch Shop & Grill

About the Project

By employing exclusive materials and hand-made furnishings – redolent of classic New York and Chicago steakhouses – Inhouse has created a contemporary allusion to a tradition of skilled butchery. Set in a relaxed dining environment, The Butcher Shop & Grill prides itself on continuing the superior quality of a bygone era with its hand-carved meats and signature curing and aging processes, accompanied by a prized winelist. Inhouse’s object was to tap into the core of the steakhouse’s unique culture and weave this narrative into its new Mouille Point locale. Upon entering, the space unfolds with stippled and stained glass paneling, delicately wrought ironmongery and descriptive wallpaper depicting antique photographs of the lively bustle of a traditional meatpacking district. These photographs are in fact the owners’ own family heirlooms, and depict the Pick family’s longstanding history in the meat industry, dating back to when the family first ran a renowned meat business in Kalk Bay. Mosaic floors and marbled walls beautifully complement the entrance. An idiosyncratic, solid timber coat-rack, studded with butchers blades in place of hooks, hints at the presence of the expert butchers within. This clever messaging lends depth to the space. The butchery and deli lies ahead and to the left, the eatery itself. In the restaurant zone, guests are greeted by a double-volume space that is presided over by the sculptural form of a magnificent life-size Nguni Bull, which takes pride of place above the bar and waiting area. The use of taxidermy is in line with the restaurant’s return to antiquity. It doesn’t stop there. Cast the eye below the bull to a bar cocooned in brass, timber and mottled glass, purveying an array of liquors, whiskeys and fine spirits. As an ode to the steakhouse’s deliberate move away from homogenized dining, Inhouse has created a series of tailored furnishings that show consistent attention to detail. These include deep-buttoned seating in leather with brass trimmings; custom-made metro tiles glazed in the restaurants colours; and a bespoke, double-storey wine cellar made entirely of steel and glass with protruding boxes – resembling shop windows – that encourages the perusal of the extensive wine collection. Timber is the prominent material used throughout. It adds a layered texture and sense of warmth to the overall space.