An historic restaurant in Oxford will reopen this month, following a revamp which cost more than £1,000,000.
Gees Restaurant & Bar, owned by The Oxford Collection, is set to welcome customers back during the week commencing May 23.
The site has been closed since February 21 while the extensive remodelling works were underway.
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The Banbury Road restaurant will reopen with the addition of two new dining spaces - Gees Gallery and Gees Secret Garden.
Both venues will increase capacity and seat up to 210 guests within the Grade II listed Victorian conservatory, Gees Restaurant & Bar, and Gees Gallery and Secret Garden.
The restaurant, which opened in 1985, started life as a greengrocer and florist in 1897, serving market garden vegetables and flowers that the Gee family grew on land over the road.
As part of the refurbishment, the 30-year old kitchen and site has been remodelled into a modern space for guests.
When Gees Restaurant & Bar reopens, chef Matt Smith will take the helm as head chef.
Mr Smith will bring more than 20 years of experience to the restaurant.
He previously ran his own restaurant in Whitby and headed up the team at The Ivy Oxford.
Mr Smith said: “I ran my own restaurant for seven years and have long been supporting local produce and skills of the people behind the product.
“Gees is the perfect fit for me to continue with this philosophy - I have the opportunity to produce good quality, authentic food in arguably the best restaurant destination in Oxford.
“I love the fresh approach and simplicity of Mediterranean cookery, with the focus being on the ingredients and eating with the seasons – so expect summer at Gees to champion this.”
Once the restaurant opens up again, guests can expect a taste of summer in Oxford with a daily evolving seasonal menu featuring traditional cooking techniques and master cocktails.
Gemma Holden, restaurant manager at Gees Restaurant & Bar, said: “I feel very privileged to be part of this exciting project and I look forward to summer outdoors on our new Secret Garden terrace, and also the extra dining space that Gees Gallery will provide.
“I cannot wait to get back into Gees, welcome back my team and our fantastic chefs, restock the bar, lay-up the tables and open the doors once again.”
Signature dishes from Gees’ Mediterranean inspired menus, led by Mr Smith and his team, will be on offer for private dining events including; wedding receptions, graduation celebrations, birthdays, conferencing & meetings, or uniquely tailored events, with a variety of seating options.
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