Fish Hoek hopes to catch new market

South African chef-proprietor Pete Gottgens, who owns the Springbok Grill (formerly, the Springbok Café) in London, is opening his second restaurant this month in Chiswick, west London.

While its sister restaurant concentrates on meat, poultry and game, the 55-seat Fish Hoek will specialise in seafood from Britain and South Africa.

Gottgens believes that sourcing is more important than cooking. "It should be the ingredients that dazzle, not the wizardry of the chef," he said.

All the seafood served at Fish Hoek can be eaten sashimi-style on request. All dishes on the menu are served in full and half portions and include monkfish and mango sosaties, Mozambique king prawns peri peri, and Namibian sole grilled with herb butter.

Desserts offer another taste of South Africa with specialities such as chocolate mealie meal cake and Cape brandy pudding.

Average price per head is projected at £20-£25 for three courses and wine. Gottgens is aiming for 325-350 covers per week, based on lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday and Sunday brunch.

He is also planning to open a South African delicatessen in Chiswick.

Fish Hoek, 6-8 Elliot Road, London W4. Tel: 020 8742 0766.