THE Ivy Winchester Brasserie has announced it will be opening on Thursday, May 24.

To celebrate the announcement, the restaurant team enjoyed a toast with the Mayor, Cllr David McLean at the Buttercross, just yards from The Ivy Winchester Brasserie.

Team members including general manager, Reza Najafi and head chef, Luis Gonzales, were joined by waiting staff to celebrate the announcement.

The Ivy will offer all-day dining for up to 150 covers, with guests able to enjoy the main restaurant and bar, as well as a Parisian-style terrace during the summer. It will offer a wide selection of British and internationally-inspired dishes, from shepherd’s pie to Champagne afternoon teas.

The Critically-acclaimed Martin Brudnizki design studio designed the interior of the restaurant which boasts an onyx bar, pendant lighting, marble floor tiles, parquet panel flooring and leather banquettes.

The Ivy Winchester Brasserie will hold back a number of tables each day for locals, visitors and passers-by.

The brasserie will be overseen by General Manager, Reza Najafi, who has moved to Winchester following his role as General Manager at Scotland’s oldest oyster bar and seafood restaurant; Café Royal Oyster Bar & Seafood Restaurant in Edinburgh.

Sarah Plunkett, operations manager at The Ivy Collection, said: “Winchester is the perfect setting for our newest addition. We continue to grow regionally with a number of sites outside London.”

With reservation lines opening today, we cannot wait to welcome local residents and visitors to experience The Ivy Winchester Brasserie.”

Tables can be booked at the restaurant via the Ivy reservation lines which opens from today (Thursday, May 3).