Weymouth Esplanade is set to be the new, picturesque location for Mitch Tonks’ restaurant group, Rockfish.
Chef and CEO Mitch Tonks is bringing his award-winning seafood restaurant group, Rockfish to Dorset. Opening restaurants in Weymouth in July, with a date to be announced, and at Poole Quay in October, bringing the group to 8 restaurants in total.
Rockfish are set to employ 35 people locally and invest £500,000 in the town to update the new premises, originally the Dorothy Inn, which opened 100 years ago this year. Making it a fitting time for Rockfish to invest and update the building which sits in the perfect location, looking directly out on to the beach.
Rockfish, who have Portland pearl oysters on their menu, have their own buyers on the daily fish market in Brixham and hope to be working with other local Dorset fishermen too, supporting the fishing communities along the southern seaboard as well as buying sustainably sourced fish elsewhere.
Mitch, who lives in Brixham, metres from England’s biggest fishing market, said, “I have always loved the beach at Weymouth and the atmosphere around the harbour. I waterskied there a lot when I was younger and last year sailed into the harbour on a warm evening and reminded myself what a special place it is. Weymouth has a vibrant restaurant scene and we are looking forward to being part of it and the local community generally. Rockfish is a seafood restaurant that aims to make seafood accessible to everyone. We’ve had great welcomes and successes in other small coastal towns like Torquay, Brixham and Exmouth and hoping we can be a great addition to Weymouth.”
Rockfish are supporting the Dorset Seafood Festival with a stand at this year’s event and Mitch will be doing a joint demo with friend and chef Mark Hix.
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