New ‘modern’ restaurant opens with aim to become ‘one of city’s favourites’

The owner said that all the dishes will be made in front of diners in an open kitchen

A new restaurant offering an array of British classics among other cuisines has opened at the site of a former Italian restaurant. Grain Kitchen & Bar will be opening in the former Mangiare restaurant on Downham Road in Ely.

The team at Mangiare said they would “cherish the memories” they made when the restaurant closed on August 2. The new business will be run by owner Suman Dahl, 39, who has a decade of experience in the hospitality industry.

The restaurant officially opened on Friday, August 7, after its transformation. It offers homemade dishes, each made in-house. Diners can expect a “warm” atmosphere as they watch meals being cooked in front of them in the open kitchen.

When asked about how the restaurant will stand out among other restaurants in Ely, Mr Dahl said: “It is a modern British restaurant. We will have a global influence in the food. So we will focus on fresh food, quality ingredients, hand-crafted cocktails, premium beers and a warm hospitality.”

The 39-year-old added that the restaurant will offer “good food, everything homemade, good vibes and warm hospitality” which he thinks is “missing nowadays” from the hospitality industry. Mr Dahl hopes that customers who visit his restaurant will sit down and let the team “look after you”.

The menu will include dishes like pie of the day, fish and chips, burgers, and chicken Milanese. Mr Dahl wanted to keep some Italian dishes on the menu such as “fresh pasta” for those who enjoyed the former Italian restaurant, Mangiare. It will also offer sweet treats including brownies, bread and butter pudding, and apple crumble.

Mr Dahl added: “We want to focus on consistency, quality, good service and make a place where people can come and meet together and spend their time with coffee, lunch and dinner.”

The restaurant will offer a range of menus and will be open seven days a week. Around 15 hand-crafted cocktails are on offer among a range of other drink options.

Mr Dahl said he is “excited” to open Grain Kitchen & Bar as he has opened a few restaurants previously but this is his first in Ely. He added that he is aiming for Grain Kitchen & Bar to become “one of Ely’s favourite places”.