A new restaurant offering Mediterranean inspired cuisine has opened in Hornchurch.

The Aviary, on Hornchurch High Street, is led by Ava Carter-Miller and Coli Toci who have worked in the hospitality industry “all their lives”.

The restaurant serves a lunch menu with items like katsu curry and truffle risotto as highlights, and a Sunday lunch with options for roasts for both vegetarians and meat-eaters.

Romford Recorder: Roast dinner served at the restaurantRoast dinner served at the restaurant (Image: The Aviary team)The dessert section has delights like amaronemisu - which is said to be a twist on the classic tiramisu, and panna cotta.

A spokesperson for the eatery told the Recorder that Mr Toci has previously managed the top floor of the Luxe in Liverpool Street, that is owned by celebrity chef and MasterChef host John Torode.

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He has also managed a “much-loved” Essex restaurant - The Shepherd & Dog in Billericay, she said.

Ms Carter-Miller was also part of management team at The Dog and Pickle restaurant in Ongar and started her journey at Osteria Due Amici in Upminster, the spokesperson revealed.

Mr Toci and Ms Carter-Miller’s other halves are the mixologists at the restaurant. The ex-head chef of Harry’s Restaurant and Bar in London, Attila Koszegi, is in-charge of the kitchen.

The spokesperson said: “We are incredibly proud of our team, and we cannot wait to welcome you all to our restaurant. We hope that you all love it as much as we do."

The Aviary is open six days a week and is shut on Tuesdays.