A popular café bar has welcomed a new executive chef as part of plans to expand its offering just six months after opening its doors to customers in Warwick.

Revive Café and Bar in Smith Street unveils its new menu under Filipino Catalino Bernal, formerly head chef at the nearby Pickled Crab.

Diners are now able to choose from new dishes including steaks, ribs, risotto and wider vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free selection. A new range of bar snacks has also been introduced.

And there's even more time to enjoy it thanks to extended opening hours to now offer evening service on Wednesday to Sunday, serving food all day.

Revive marks the second project – and a new direction – for owner James Byrne, from Warwick, who decided to convert the former Furniture Shop below his software business, AccountancyManager, before opening in June last year.

Cats Bernal has been announced as the new executive chef (Image by John Knight)

James said: "We opened Revive with the vision of creating a location for people of all ages to enjoy, offering a combination of great coffee, tasty food and enjoyable games.

"We hadn't appreciated how the local community would embrace us, with customers being kind with their feedback and rewarding us with their repeat custom.

"In 2022 we intend to build on this by giving more to our customers. We're positive that these changes will continue to improve Revive's customer experience. We look forward to seeing all our existing customers and meeting new ones very soon."

(Image by John Knight)

(Image by John Knight)

Catalino Bernal, from Warwick- also known as 'Cats' - has spent 25 years working in restaurant kitchens at home and abroad, including the prestigious Shangri-La Hotel in The Philippines and, locally, The Saxon Mill in Warwick and The Orange Tree, in Chadwick End.

Of his latest move, he said: "I'm excited by the opportunity to join Revive as I believe the venue is offering something unique to the local area, and I'll be looking to enhance this with my cooking.

"Some dishes draw inspiration to the flavours I grew up with in the Philippines, whereas other dishes are more local favourites as well as increasing the range of vegan options."

Hidden at the back of Revive is the venue's pièce de résistance – the games room housing darts, ping pong, table football and pool. The games tables can be booked in half-hour slots through the website or in person.

This space also hosts the venue's increasingly popular live entertainment evenings - karaoke, open mic and stand-up comedy, with quiz nights soon also to be added to the events 'menu.'

(Image by Loz Moores Photography)

James added: "Our events calendar looks bigger and better in 2022, with comedy nights returning on the first Thursday of every month hosted by Comedy At Work.

"We will also continue the Open Mic nights hosted by Dan Sealey, former bass guitarist of Ocean Colour Scene and karaoke nights. In addition, this year, we will be introducing quiz nights using the speed quizzing format, a fast-paced quiz that all ages will enjoy."

The next events lined up are an Open Mic Night on Friday, January 28 (no tickets required) and a Comedy Night at 7pm on Thursday, February 3.

Tickets for this can be booked online here.

Revive Café and Bar is now open even longer, from 8am-6pm Monday and Tuesday, 8am-11pm Wednesdays to Saturdays and 9am-10pm on Sundays.

Visit the website to check out the menu or to book a games table. Group bookings can be made by calling 01926 403 333.