STAFF at a new steak restaurant are prepared to welcome customers after a grand opening.

A new Miller and Carter restaurant has opened in High Road, Langdon Hills.

The restaurant has replaced a former Harvester restaurant and will be offering all the best of the Miller and Carter brand including the steaks.

Katie Kilby, 29, general manager of the new restaurant and her 45 members of staff are set to bring the classy style of dining, that Miller and Carter are known for, to Langdon Hills.

She said: "The former Harvester closed on February 6 and the refurbishment work took about 10 weeks to complete. We had three days training off site and then started practice runs for all different parts of the restaurant every day from March 16 until we opened on March 24.

"The company prides itself on the quality of the meat that we use in our meals, we know where all the beef comes from.

"We had a butcher come into the restaurant with a large piece of beef and he showed us about all the cuts and he also showed the chefs how to cook it and he tasted it after the chefs had cooked.

"The training that the company provides for new restaurant is so extensive."

The manager has at least two years experience as a general manager at Miller and Carter restaurants and previously worked in the restaurant in Thurrock near the intu Lakeside Shopping Centre.

She described the restaurant as the perfect venue for special occasions and events such as birthday and anniversary celebrations as well as somewhere special for couples and families.

Ms Kilby added: "We make sure that our staff have excellent knowledge of the food and drinks on offer so that they can recommend dishes and drinks."

The new restaurant is open from Sunday to Thursday 12pm until 10.30pm and 12pm until 11pm from Friday to Saturdays.