‘ORCHARD’ FINALLY BEARS FRUIT!
Former Zest bistro to reopen in May after rebrand
A CITY centre restaurant has rebranded a year after opening their business – and closing a week later due to coronavirus.
The team behind Zest, which opened on March 13 last year, have decided to take on their second year in business with a new name and fresh look.
The Piccadilly venue will be having its second revamp in 12 months, and brand new signage displaying The Orchard Bar and Bistro, ahead of welcoming back customers in May, when diners are allowed to sit inside venues again.
The bistro cost Jody Rushton and Jon Riviere £30,000 to set up, but Covid-19 meant that their business was unable to launch as they hoped.
Throughout the pandemic, they’ve offered takeaway three course meals as part of their ‘Dine Out In’ scheme, and themed boxes for seasonal events like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.
Jon, a 39-year-old chef, from Sneyd Green, said: “We really want to emphasise the food, which will be focused on local produce and seasonal food. It will be a restaurant dine in experience with the menu changing every week.
“The last year has really dragged for Zest as we were never able to open properly. That gave us the opportunity to develop a concept that we really wanted to move forward with. I think there’s a gap on Piccadilly for the kind of thing we’ll be doing.
“This year, people are expecting change and for everything to be different when things reopen, and I think that’s given us the confidence to rebrand, too.”
The new name The Orchard
Bar and Bistro was partially inspired by Jody’s grandad, who has picked apples that Jon will use in one of the bistro’s desserts.
Jody, 31, from Sneyd Green, added: “The whole industry has changed in the year since we opened. We have loved doing the seasonal menus for people to enjoy at home and we hope customers that have ordered from us will be excited to see what’s on offer when they dine in with us too.
“Due to covid, the whole hospitality industry has had to adapt. People have really missed going out for good food and getting dressed up a bit and appreciate a nice meal out.
“Now more than ever, we want to give customers a food experience.”