A NEW family-run Italian restaurant has thrown open its doors to customers in Rayleigh High Street and is already proving a huge hit.

L’ancora - meaning “the anchor” in Italian - has replaced the former Choi Yin Chinese restaurant and is bringing a “slice of Naples” to Rayleigh.

Echo: Inside - the restaurant is already proving a hitInside - the restaurant is already proving a hit (Image: Leonardo Qosja)

Head waiter, Leonardo Qosja, moved to Rayleigh from Italy and has praised the residents for supporting the business since it opened.

Leonardo, 23, said: “It’s been very good business, it hasn’t been too hard for us at all.

“Everyday we have been getting bookings, on the weekends it is fully booked.

“Being in Rayleigh has helped us, it is a very good area and I have been living in Rayleigh for a couple of years now, it is a good place to trade and open a business.

Echo: Leonardo - the head waiter outside the restaurantLeonardo - the head waiter outside the restaurant (Image: Leonardo Qosja)

“People are especially happy with the cooking and the atmosphere.

“The inside of the restaurant makes people feel at home and we try to keep a good atmosphere, that is homely and warm.

“We try to make guests comfortable in anything.”

Leonardo added that at the top of their most ordered food is their star scialatielli, a Neapolitan seafood pasta dish that is considered their speciality dish.

He added: “We do pizza too, which we are trying to replicate as close to 100 per cent Italian as we can.

“We have an Italian pizza chef who understands how to do that in the best way.”

Echo: Bar - The restaurant replaced Choi Yin ChineseBar - The restaurant replaced Choi Yin Chinese (Image: Leonardo Qosja)

Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois also recently visited L’ancora to sample the Neapolitan dishes on offer, with Leonardo happy to see the restaurant had been recognised by their MP.

Mr Francois said: “As someone whose mother was Italian, I know delicious Italian food when I find it.

“We already have two very good, dedicated, Italian restaurants in Rayleigh, La Romantica and Gambera D’oro and now we have a third, and it’s called L’ancora.

“I wish all three establishments every success.”

Echo: MP Mark Francois with the teamMP Mark Francois with the team (Image: Mark Francois MP)

The Choi Yin Chinese restaurant closed its doors in October.