Gary Rhodes is set to open two new restaurants in Christchurch, Dorset, in conjunction with the recent refurbishment of two of the areas top water-side hotels.
The Christchurch Harbour Hotel (formerly known as the Avonmouth) and the King’s (formerly the King’s Arms) have both undertaken a £7m restoration project to bring them up-to-date as four-star establishments. The introduction of Rhodes’ restaurants is hoped to rejuvenate the area as a “top food destination in the South.”
Christchurch Harbour Hotel General Manager, Adam Terpening, said: “Bringing Gary Rhodes to the south coast is a spectacular coup for the area. The combination of Gary, a unique building and the water’s edge setting will make this the top destination restaurant in the South.”
The 80-cover Rhodes South will be situated at the Christchurch Harbour Hotel, offering a collection of the chef’s new and classic dishes in a carbon-neutral, contemporary building. The King’s Rhodes bar and brasserie, meanwhile, is hoped to offer quality, contemporary high street dining beside some of Christchurch’s most historic landmarks.
“Rhodes South’s superb harbourside location with the freshest seafood, great local produce and the vision of creating an environmentally friendly restaurant made this project an absolute ‘must’ for me,” enthused Rhodes. “Add to that the chance to launch King’s Rhodes, and guests will enjoy the best of both worlds.”
As well as the new orangery terraced restaurant, the newly restored Christchurch Harbour Hotel will also include a 47 bedroom four-star wing, and a luxurious spa to his its location on the water’s edge. Both restaurants are hoped to open within months.