Portsmouth’s movers and shakers were out in full force on Saturday, 18^th November 2006, for the long anticipated and much talked about opening of 8 Kings Road, Southsea’s first destination restaurant.

The restoration of the former banking hall on Kings Road has seen a £1m investment to create the world-class restaurant with iconic chandeliers and stunning European interior design.

Overseen by restaurant industry talent drawn from Europe and Australia, and the Michelin trained chef Karl Byron of much lauded Just St James, 8 Kings Road is set to be on the hot list for Hampshire’s culinary cognescenti. Straight-talking menus headline, with only fresh seasonal produce sourced from across the British Isles and Europe.

As the finishing touches are being put to the restaurant, security is high at the old banking hall as the first shipments of world-class wines are received. Bottles, many of which are individually valued in excess of £3000, are to be stored in the original banking vaults housed underneath the restaurant. Once home to the wealth of Southsea, the wine safe has been caringly transformed into a high security cellar from where customers may choose their wines and a space where many celebrities have already opted to store their valuable wines.