Our latest Boschendal Style Award nominee Thomas Maxwell Bistro has a contemporary feel with a quirky twist.The charm of this French style bistro lies in its collection of quirky artefacts, second-hand furniture and crockery. It took two weeks of chipping to release the original face brick from beneath the floor-to-ceiling tiles – a remnant of the venue’s days as a butchery – resulting in this transformed and trendy dining room.

The mood: The French bistro style paired with a New York loft aesthetic gives the restaurant a contemporary look.

The designer: Thomas Barker, owner and chef, designed the interior. He went for texture as a feature, contrasting highly polished finishes against the rough brickwork. The details of his collectables are set against a palette of rich browns, creams and gold.

The details: Reconditioned antique side tables complement the couches designed by Thomas and Quantum Hospitality. The bistro chairs, sourced by Joel of Kensington Trading in Queen Street, were rescued from an old Hotel in Hillbrow, along with sturdy fold-up tables. Millennium cutlery and Fortis crockery are joined by accent pieces, such as Liebermann Pottery, and elegant Arcoroc wine glasses. Thomas’s fascination with old kitchen utensils is displayed in the collection of cleavers, meat hammers and selection of 1950s ladles.

The food: The contemporary French bistro fare has a touch of glamour. Classics like French onion soup with parmesan and emmenthal cheese are listed alongside the more adventurous crayfish pasta with thyme and chardonnay velouté, or caviar, crispy Parma ham and truffle oil penne. The comprehensive wine list includes French and Spanish selections.

By Monique Broumels

Does Thomas Maxwell Bistro have what it takes to win the Boschendal Style Award at the Eat Out Awards?