It’s changed (it was Italian eatery Casa Viva), but now Niku has a fresh, gloriously OTT image, with flower-covered walls, marble tables, party basement, an enticing menu, and warm welcome from the Albanian Zega family, who have upgraded the venue and named it after a favourite uncle.

The restaurant/cocktail bar in Ewell Road (just steps from Surbiton Health Centre) is huge, but is subdivided into little pockets.

The Mediterranean menu includes veggie options such as beetroot burger, a dish so ‘convincing’ that one diner demanded to see the chef to be assured it wasn’t meat.

Mellow music plays upstairs, but below is a 100-guest party room for hire, complete with dancefloor and DJ station.

Prices are competitive, the house wine is excellent and cocktails are half-price, 5-7pm.
Niku is at 92 Ewell Road, KT6 6EX. Visit www.nikubarandrestaurant.com