A STRIKING new £200,000 restaurant has opened with a glitzy launch with fire eaters and dancers.

Urban Fresh is now welcoming customers at the site of the White Horse, Heath Road in Ramsden Heath.

The venue is open after a £200,000 revamp and offers a south American theme.

Bosses say it has been created with fresh food at the forefront, including juicy steaks served alongside wines from Argentina and Chile.

Pub food options will still be available in the bar and seating areas of the pub itself.

Owner Steve Haslam, who also runs the Bread and Cheese pub in Thundersley, teamed up with investors for the project, who splashed around £180,000 on the transformation.

Echo:

VIPs were left impressed by the mixture of urban interior, the menu and entertainment.

Bosses say it gives a taste of south America and “world class” meat including steak and chicken.

One room, available for bookings, is decorated from used materials including the table, corrugated iron walls and even wooden fencing.

A spokesman said: “Something special is about to happen in Essex.

“Something new, something fresh.

“An all new concept where you can come in to eat top quality steaks or incredible vegan food all in one vibrant yet cozy setting.

“Essex has been missing this, so be the first to discover innovation.

“Urban is a steakhouse that also caters for those that wish to have a healthy vegan meal or sample some tasty fish.

“Not only will our food blow you away but our extensive wine and cocktail list will be a part of the experience too and our colour-changing lights set the scene for a night of innovation and new cuisine.”

Inside the restaurant a graffiti wall has been created.

During the build, 65 per cent of the materials used have been recycled and work began around five months ago.

Mr Haslam recently revealed how supply chain issues are causing venues to remove certain items off the menu.

He fears the problem could worsen over the winter.

The owner hopes the ongoing issues don’t affect the restaurant’s opening in a few weeks’ time.