A new eatery in George Town is catering to Cayman’s growing number of health-conscious gourmands, keen to be able to trace their food from farm to fork.
The South West Collective has opened its doors in Harbor Place on the George Town waterfront with a focus on healthy products with ingredients sourced from local farmers.
The new eatery and bar is owned by husband and wife team Lachie and Jessie Hewitt, the restaurateurs behind Jessie’s Juice Bar in Camana Bay, known for its wholesome, minimally processed food and juices.
“We decided to open a second concept because we saw a great opportunity for growth in George Town, especially on the south side,” Lachie said. “There has been a great improvement in people serving more health conscious products with great ingredients, especially from the local market.”
Lachie explained that the South West Collective is designed around a new look at the social clubs of old. “It’s more a café/bar model, so during the day the café side runs and then in the evenings the bar.”
He added: “[It’s] a place where people can interact and enjoy an amazing view of George Town harbor with the added bonus of being elevated and out of the elements.”
Open for breakfast and lunch, the cafe’s menu offers a selection of favorites from Jessie’s Juice Bar, including cold pressed juices and natural smoothies, paninis, salads and soups, along with new items including naan-based pizzas with toppings such as fig, blue cheese and arugula, grilled cheese sandwiches and daily specials. In addition, Lachie hopes to cure his own meat as well as offer handmade sausages. “We are looking at talking soon with a local meat supplier,” Lachie said.
Menu items are reflected by the availability of locally grown produce, with Lachie working alongside local farmers to ensure a steady supply of the pick of the crop.
“Of course supporting local is also a great idea, but it is only in the last few years there has been enough development for it really to make an impact on menus,” Lachie said.
“In the past you might have places say they have local stuff on offer, but it may be just one of two items. Now the range of options has grown and we have grown with it. Most of our produce comes off farms in Bodden Town. There is a fertile patch out there producing great stuff predominately from Clarence Mclaughlin, who has been a great supporter of ours and a big part of what we do.”
Opposite the café is the bar, where wines, beers, spirits and classic cocktails will be offered, all with a local twist.
“We will be offering amazing ice infusions with our cold press juices with feature artisan punches and champagne cocktails,” Lachie said.
Encapsulating the “social club” theme, Lachie is working on hosting monthly barbecue and networking events in the courtyard at Harbour Place. “We hope it will become a feature evening, where people in different offices can come and mingle, network and socialize.”
The South West Collective café is open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the bar (scheduled to open in September) Monday to Friday 4-11 p.m.
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