It’s been closed for three weeks for a top-to-toe refurb, but Harts Boatyard is back. And how.

The Portsmouth Road eatery has a new-look interior, multi-level zones and a fresh menu from chef Jiri Matura… and it opens to the public again this Saturday (Mar 7).

It has gone dramatically upmarket; think tuna tartare, wild scallops with lobster and crab bonbons, lamb rack, charred octopus, miso aubergine bao buns, pork belly with heavenly crackling. But there is also a new standalone vegan menu.

The Good Life had a preview last night (full report in April’s issue of The Good Life), and there’s no doubting that this is a serious, significant new addition to Surbiton’s bustling restaurant scene.

By day there are still river panoramas to enjoy, but after dark there’s an intimate, nightclub feel to the place.

There are still bargain fixed-price lunches Mon-Fri, and afternoon tea with bubbly.

Harts Boatyard, at KT6 4ES, is owned by Mitchells & Butlers, which also runs the All Bar One, Harvester and O’Neill’s brands… but Harts is in the trendiest bracket of the pub giant’s porfolio. www.hartsboatyard.co.uk