AN ICONIC Southampton restaurant is to reopen this week with a top chef at the helm.

Lee Burden will take charge at The Gatehouse 1833, which is to launch at the Royal Pier in Mayflower Park tomorrow.

The new restaurant, the latest venture from renowned city restaurateur Kuti Miah, is opening above his flagship restaurant Kuti’s Brasserie overlooking Southampton Water.

Lee, who was head chef at Romsey’s award-winning Three Tuns before spending six months at acclaimed sister restaurant The Chesil Rectory in Winchester, has designed a menu inspired by modern British fare.

Chalk stream trout from Romsey, New Forest mushrooms for a rich risotto and a wealth of heritage vegetables are some of the stand-out ingredients used in his new menu, which will be previewed at a special VIP event tonight set to be attended by Saints legends Matt Le Tissier, Francis Benali and Lawrie McMenemy, as well as football pundit and former Liverpool and Tottenham footballer Paul Walsh.

Other highlights on the menu include vegetarian delights like roasted root vegetable tart, sticky toffee pudding and pear and frangipane tart.

Located on the first floor of the Royal Pier, The Gatehouse 1833 has a dining area with views over Southampton Water seating 60 diners, a chandelier cocktail bar seating 30 guests; and 60 additional seats on the outdoor rooftop terrace.

Singer Elléana and magician James Prince will be performing at the launch event tomorrow night.

Kuti’s Brasserie is on the site of the former Royal Thai restaurant, having relocated from Oxford Street. It enjoys a haute Indian cuisine menu, alongside curry house favourites. Kuti, a well known face at front of house, also owns Kuti’s Express in Lordshill, Kuti’s Noorani in Eastleigh and Kuti’s of Wickham.