A family run authentic eatery in Southampton has been crowned the best new Indian restaurant in the UK just five months after opening its doors close to the city's waterfront.
The Chennai Lounge in Terminus Terrace has already established a reputation for offering authentic Indian dishes unique in the area.
Food lovers have been leaving rave reviews for dishes such as Sambar Vadu, Pepper Chicken and the Apple Jalebi dessert served up by a chef team with previous top roles in London and Dubai.
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Staff at the restaurant, on the site of the former Parkers Hotel close to the city's Oxford Street, scooped the award during a ceremony at Manchester's Hilton Hotel after being praised for offering a 'fresh home cooked taste of India'.
Owner Kannan Rathinavel, who runs the 50-seat restaurant alongside his wife Masila, said: "We only opened in April which makes this award all the more special. We took a big gamble but followed our hearts to offer a completely different menu and concept to any other Indian restaurant in Southampton.
"There’s been hard times when the restaurant has been quiet and you question yourself but we kept believing that people will come for good food. Concentrating on making the dishes the best they can be will work in the long term, and this is the philosophy the head chef and myself have been working on. Never compromise, and believe the good times will come.
"Thank you to all our customers for visiting our restaurant and for continuing to do so. We are ready for a busy month in Southampton with the Boat Show, then we go into the Christmas party season."
The Chennai Lounge was shortlisted alongside restaurants in Mayfair, London, Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff. A judging panel including a number of noted chefs and former BBC journalist, and editor of Taste London, George Shaw, visited each contender.
Positive online reviews caught the eye of the judges, and two went along secretly to test out the food.
The Chennai Lounge is open 7 days a week from 12 midday to 12 midnight and tables can be booked online.
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