Esquimalt is getting a new restaurant located in the restored Rosemead House—formerly known as the Old English Inn. 

Janevca Kitchen & Lounge aims to celebrate heritage in a heritage home. The anticipated restaurant at 429 Lampson St. is looking to create a vibrant atmosphere that reminisces on and encourages family dining. Janevca Kitchen & Lounge will focus on open-flame cooking, using a wood-fire grill to offer dishes like steak and charred vegetables. The restaurant intends for this traditional method of cooking to complement the heritage of its location. 

Its menu will utilize fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and will curate flavours from a range of cuisines. The restaurant’s dishes will be inspired by family recipes and will utilize techniques passed down through generations.  

The Janevca Kitchen & Lounge menu will include wood-fired pizzas, house-made breads and pastries, and seasonal desserts. The restaurant plans to have an innovative and creative cocktail menu as well as a happy hour menu. 

The kitchen will be led by executive chef Andrea Alridge, who was a finalist on the cooking competition show Top Chef Canada. Alridge has previous experience leading kitchens at Vancouver restaurants like Osteria Savio Volpe and CinCin Ristorante. Alridge will take inspiration from her Filipino and Jamaican heritage in designing the restaurant’s menu. 

The interior of the restaurant will honour the building’s more than a century-old history in Esquimalt. Rosemead House is asking the public for photos and objects from the Old English Inn that can be included in a living archive to share its history with the community. 

The restaurant will have a wine room featuring a natural rock face wall and an event space that will host brunches and teas. The space will also have views of the ocean and of Esquimalt. 

The project is led by Aragon Properties—who are also behind the development of the new Esquimalt Town Square—and will include both the restaurant and a boutique hotel and spa. Rosemead House’s restoration has been ongoing for the last six years. 

The Tudor-style manor near Macaulay Point Park was built in 1906 and was given a heritage designation in 2012. The Old English Inn was bought out of receivership in 2009 and was later purchased by Aragon Properties in 2016. 

Times Colonist reported in May that Aragon Properties had bought replica Buckingham Palace iron gates from the set of the television series The Crown as well as dishes from the Savoy Hotel and furniture from the Dorchester Hotel for Rosemead House.        

The restaurant plans to open in August, while the hotel and spa are expected to open in the fall.

Janevca Kitchen & Lounge is currently hiring for both front and back of house positions.