Phoenix Ale House in Inverness gets new owners and the the sizeable lounge bar and restaurant area will become a Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant
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The popular Phoenix Ale House in Inverness is set to begin a new chapter after being bought by a couple who have been in the local restaurant trade for more than 20 years.
While the main area with its distinctive round bar will remain largely unaltered, the sizeable lounge bar and restaurant area will become a Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant with a name still to be decided.
Funda, from Turkey, and Jad Hussain, from Bangladesh, recently bought the business from veteran north licensee George MacLean, but will continue running their popular Cinnamon Indian restaurant in Millburn Road with Jad’s cousin Abdul Fotik.
The couple are delighted with their new venture.
Mrs Hussain said: “We do not have experience running a public bar, so we will have the previous staff, Dougie and Sarah, working there.”
The couple aim to serve “the finest authentic Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine in the Highlands”, offering kebabs, casseroles, seafood, freshly prepared mezes, salads and home-cooked specials.
The restaurant will have authentic Turkish touches such as specially acquired wall art.
Mrs Hussain said: “I am not a snobby person until it is about food when everything has to be right.
“I have my own recipes including for Turkish desserts from sweet baklava to lighter milk-based deserts for the ones who like to watch their weight.”
She added: “We get asked if it is a good time to invest in new business with the pandemic, but we see the Phoenix as a joy and pride investment for the future.
“Our other restaurant, the Cinnamon, will be supporting us through the hard times we might face during the pandemic.”
