IT’S a Southampton institution and it’s back in business.
Kuti’s Brasserie, housed in the city’s impressive Grade II listed Royal Pier gatehouse, is now welcoming back delighted diners old and new.
Following a Covid closure and repairs to the iconic building, the award winning restaurant has once again opened its doors to customers and is set to host a VIP relaunch early next month.
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Local legend Kuti Miah first came to Southampton in 1980 to work as a waiter and would head to the nightspot at the pier after work.
“It was my dream from the day I came to Southampton to open a restaurant there,” he told the Daily Echo.
“For 200 years, this city and that pier have been the gateway to the world and I loved the idea of celebrating that. We have the most beautiful views and great food.
“The people of Southampton have been so supportive of us and we want to continue the historical legacy of this building. I love this city. It’s the greatest city in the world and I’m very proud to do business here."
Kuti has owned a string of highly regarded Indian restaurants around the city for decades and moved his flagship eatery to the Royal Pier in 2018 following many years in Oxford Street.
The restaurant employed family friend and current Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak as a waiter during his student days and has been a magnet for footballers, civic dignitaries and TV personalities over the years. Everyone from Saints legend Matt Le Tissier and players like Mark Hughes and Shane Long to former Speaker of the House John Bercow and Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith have enjoyed a meal there. Another Saints favourite Francis Benali has worked with Kuti for many years and even had the Benali Biryani named in his honour.
Kuti has hosted many charity nights and sponsored numerous children's football teams. His staff delivered food to NHS workers during the pandemic and fed children for free.
Kuti's Brasserie was crowned the nation's top Indian eatery in 2018 with a Restaurant Personality of the Year at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards for Kuti a year later.
- Kuti's Brasserie is our trader of the week. If you'd like us to feature your local business, click on the link below or visit dailyecho.co.uk/trader
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