Family open Southsea restaurant for the first time on 'Super Saturday' as coronavirus lockdown eases

TWO weeks before lockdown the Cohen family got the keys to their restaurant but were left ‘crushed’ when they realised they wouldn’t be able to open straight away - but today they have opened the doors to their eatery for the first time.

Andrew and his wife Yvonne have opened Minnie's Kitchen on Marmion Road and have been delighted as their first customers have come through the doors on what has been dubbed ‘Super Saturday’ as businesses across England are allowed to reopen.

The pair from Waterlooville have spent the last three months refurbishing the place, which used to be Capers, and making sure it complies with safety measures.

Andrew said: ‘We got the keys two weeks before lockdown was announced and it did crush our hopes and dreams somewhat. But it gave us the chance to completely renovate the place and think about table layouts to make sure it was safe when we reopened.

‘We are so excited to have opened today and have had a steady flow of customers through the door which has been good so we aren't overwhelmed. All their feedback has been so positive and people have really liked the new decor and food.

‘It has been difficult to reopen with so many restrictions and we have had to reduce our table capacity by about two thirds but we are just so grateful to be open.’

Named after Andrew’s grandmother, the restaurant’s breakfast and brunch menu for the weekend including a full English and bubble and squeak.

The week menu features pan-fried sea bass and steak as well as a dessert selection.

Andrew said: ‘We have turned the place into more of a restaurant whereas before it was a cafe.

‘We come from a hospitality background and we owned a restaurant in Chichester previously, called Amelie and Friends, which we sold two or three years ago but we got the itch to be in hospitality again.

SEE ALSO: Live updates as restaurants and pubs reopen across Portsmouth and Hampshire

‘We are real family business and we are excited to welcome in customers.’

For more information visit minnieskitchen.co.uk/

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on portsmouth.co.uk. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to portsmouth.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit our Subscription page now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.