New Indian restaurant opens in Hythe Marina after refurbishment

The Indian Kitchen occupies a prime site overlooking one of the yacht basins used by some of the 200 boats moored at the facility.

The 48-seat restaurant, which has created 15 jobs, was opened by Sir Julian Lewis, Conservative MP for New Forest East.

Sir Julian, who is out to retain his seat in the forthcoming general election, cut a ribbon beneath an arch of green and gold balloons.

New Forest East MP Julian Lewis opens the Indian Kitchen restaurant at Hythe Marina Village (Image: Newsquest.)

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The waterfront eatery at 17-18 Shamrock Way opened to the public on Friday, and was fully booked.

Customers can look forward to sampling a mouth-watering selection of dishes, all cooked to order using fresh produce.

The menu features a raft of starters and curries, plus a wide selection of chicken, lamb, and seafood dishes. Tandoori breads and 11 different types of rice are also available.

The Indian Kitchen occupies a prime site at the centre of Hythe Marina Village (Image: Newsquest.)

The Indian Kitchen is run by the same team that is in charge of The Boathouse Hotel and Restaurant, which occupies a nearby site.

Roshan Seedheeyan, one of the three businessmen behind the new venture, said more than £40,000 had been spent on refurbishing the premises.

He added: "We are determined to give our customers a good experience and I think we will do really well. Eventually hope to start a home delivery service, but not just yet."

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At the opening, Sir Julian told the Daily Echo: "I used to be a regular partaker of Indian food but I've become a little more worried about my waistline, so it's now a treat I reserve for special occasions.

"However, I'm sure they do some good slimline options that I can reconcile with my conscience."

Built at a cost of £45m, Hythe Marina Village comprises 225 waterside homes and a selection of shops, restaurants, and bars.

The Indian Kitchen overlooks one of the yacht basins used by some of the 200 boats based at the marina (Image: Newsquest.)

In 1984 work began on the first of three yacht basins and the lock that separates the showpiece development from Southampton Water.

The first house brick was laid by Sir Christopher Cockerell, the inventor of the hovercraft, who lived next door to the marina entrance.

In 1985 Virgin Atlantic Challenger and the TS Royalist led a fleet of 150 vessels through the lock after it was officially opened by legendary round-the-world sailor Chay Blyth. 

The marina appeared in the BBC "sex-and-sailing" series Howards' Way, which was filmed in the Solent area in the 1980s.