Two old favourites with new looks

Assistant manager at Via Ingrida Jankauskiene said: "We closed the restaurant about three years ago but people were still asking about it years later. Especially those who come for regular events at the Excel."

La Vista, which reopened last week, occupies the top floor of the three-storey, 200-year-old building. The floor has been reserved for functions over the last few years.

It is situated above the Via bar and the underground Dungeon club, all owned by Tattershall Castle Group.

The menu at the restaurant consists of dishes such as lamb brochette, pork belly and stuffed chicken breast.

It also has a special wine selection brought in specifically to complement the dishes.

The restaurant will initially serve between 12-3pm and 5-10pm Monday to Friday with weekend openings to follow.

Via manager Rudi Van Aarde said he was planning for a soft launch.

"It will take a bit of a backseat while all the Christmas events are going on but in the New Year it will be in full swing," he said.

The upstairs restaurant will complement the ground floor bar snacks.

Rudi said: "The bar will still do food but La Vista will be more about fine dining. It's for people who want to sit down and have a relaxing time in a nice environment."

The re-opening of the restaurant follows other recent investments into the West India Quay region, most notably at The Ledger Building.

The Wetherspoons' owned pub re-opened last week following a nine day closure.

It received a facelift costing more than £175,000, which included a new white paint job, carpeting and the installation of a DJ booth and mahogany bar.

London Pride has now been introduced on the taps, and manager John Wall is planning regular DJ nights.