Naming things seems such fun. Babies, cats, dogs…and venues. The Wolf & I snaps for attention with its quirky take on naming rights (not to mention the chess-playing deer in the window being another) – enough to stop Chapel Street strollers in their fashionable tracks (and you don’t stop for just everything).
The Wolf? Yeah, he’s there too – standing guard over the rear dining area in his cool threads and his taxidermy-grin.
He’s got good reasons to smile. The food here is deliciously simple – think upmarket pub grub you can rely on (chicken parma, shepherd’s pie, steak, burgers) with elements of more complex influences (chicken liver parfait with apple and pear chutney, brioche bread and sweet wine jelly, or green and white Victorian asparagus with truffle poached egg) that elevate it to even tastier heights.
If life out and about in the big wide world often comes with a team of children tagging along, you’ll appreciate seeing a kids’ menu that had no time for frozen nuggets and fish fingers.
And if you’re a Chapel Street regular you’ll know the location as the site of the old Swan Hotel. But things change and it’s in with the new…fresh renovation and solid service.
The brains behind this operation are long-time friends and business partners Jannick Zester and Steve Powell. With Jannick’s Danish heritage worn on its eclectic sleeve, décor is a mix of renowned artists (Danish artist Philip V Jensen is the one responsible for the sharply-dressed stuffed deer but his work features in the National Gallery so this is serious!) and plain old craziness (60 Singer sewing machines as a feature wall is set to be a local attraction).
Weekend breakfasts, along with lunch and dinner 7 days a week will see this place build a foodie reputation fast. Matt Turner’s hospitality in front-of-house is a treat and Kiwi-born Head Chef Daniel Groom has the goods too.
When the children are tucked into their beds, is when this place really stands on its feet with an up for it DJ/drinks crowd. Little Red Riding Hood had it all wrong. Letting The Wolf in was the right thing to do.
The Wolf & I
152 Chapel Street, Windsor 3181
