NEW RESTAURANT: by Foresters Hall and Smoking Lobster Group

Smoking Lobster Group has joined forces with Foresters Hall, the celebrated boutique hotel in Cowes, to open The Brasserie, by Smoking Lobster in the Hotel. The announcement was made today by sibling partners Giancarlo Giancovich and Cinzia Reckitt on behalf of Smoking Lobster Group, and husband-and-wife duo Sara Curran and Peter Sussman on behalf of Foresters Hall.

In 2017 chef / owner Giancarlo (“GC”) Giancovich opened the Smoking Lobster Ventnor Beach. It quickly became popular with tourists and locals alike boasting panoramic views of one of the island’s best beaches and delicious dishes celebrating the best island produce available, reimagined through a pan-Asian lens.

In 2020 GC enlisted the help of his sister and sake specialist Cinz. Having spent 15 years immersed in the London food scene, Cinz returned to the island to begin working alongside GC. Together they launched Drunken Lobster – an Izakaya style bar-centric offering – with fine wines, sake and cocktails taking centre stage alongside a concise Japanese bar menu.

Together with a team that includes many family members and close friends, Smoking Lobster Group then launched Smoking Lobster Cowes in July 2021.

“It’s been a great journey so far, going in an additional direction by introducing a brasserie menu at Foresters Hall that is distinct from the Asian menus at our current locations is a very exciting opportunity for our Group” said Cinz, “Foresters Hall couldn’t be a more beautiful venue, so we are delighted that Sara and Peter want to launch a new restaurant with us.”

Cinz added “Having our fourth restaurant as part of a hotel adds an exciting dimension to our Group and takes our hospitality footprint to another level.”

Sara and Peter acquired the Hotel (then called North House) in April, 2022. It was rebranded in October, 2022 as Foresters Hall, taking its new name from the building’s unique history. Foresters Hall was originally constructed in 1865 as a monthly meeting place for the Cowes branch of the Ancient Order of Foresters. The Hotel closed for the winter season in mid-December, 2022 and recently re-opened in anticipation of The Brasserie opening in early April.

“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Cinz and GC” said Sara, “Our families became friends over the past few years, simply through attending each other’s establishments and chatting on the High Street without a business agenda of any kind.”

Sara continued “Cinz and GC are top-of-class so when the idea for The Brasserie by Smoking Lobster at Foresters Hall presented itself, we jumped at the opportunity.” Sara added “We know from experience that a brasserie menu at Foresters Hall presented in a laid-back manner hits the bull’s-eye.”

The Brasserie menu will emphasise Mediterranean influences and seasonal product, with a focus on locally sourced seafood and freshly made pasta.

The Brasserie by Smoking Lobster will open at Foresters Hall on 7 April 2023. Lunch and Dinner will be served in the Restaurant as well as in the Bar and on the Terrace, 5 days per week (Wednesday through Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday,) to both hotel residents and non-residents. Hotel rooms at Foresters Hall will continue to be available 7 days per week. A continental breakfast will be available 7 days per week, but only for hotel residents.