Andrew and Yvonne Cohen, from Lovedean, took over the former Capers Cafe in Marmion Road last year and renamed it Minnies.
The pair used to run Chichester restaurant Amelie and Friends but they decided to take the plunge and open Minnies after both wanting a change of scene and a new challenge.
However, timing wasn’t on the couple’s side, because within just two weeks of opening Minnies, the coronavirus pandemic hit the UK.
Andrew and Yvonne outside Minnies Picture: Stuart Martin (220421-7042)
Resulting in the restaurant spending the best part of the past 18 months closed, until it reopened once again on June 26 this year.
Andrew, 52, who was a previously a doctor prior to opening Minnies, said: ‘We are extremely pleased with our customers reactions to Minnies, because you can plan as much as you like but it’s not until you welcome real life customers that you know whether you have done a good job or not.
‘Not just for the owners, Yvonne and I, but for the whole team - we have all put a lot of work in to get ready and prepare, it has been exciting to see so many smiling faces over the past few weeks.
Yvonne and Andrew Cohen have opened a new restaurant in Southsea called Minnies. Strawberry Extravaganza. Picture: Stuart Martin (220421-7042)
‘We are all about delicious home-cooked food, beautifully presented and pair that up with a lovely warm welcome and great service.
‘In many ways, we are very old fashioned here - we employ really good chefs, Yvonne and I work here all the time to greet all of our guests and Yvonne is very knowledgeable about wines, so she has picked all of them on our wine lists.’
Andrew said that Minnie's radiates positivity - with restaurant named after his grandmother, who also had a passion for cooking.
Yvonne and Andrew Cohen have opened a new restaurant in Southsea called Minnies. Sunset Sea Bass. Picture: Stuart Martin (220421-7042)
The couple are serving a range of traditional dishes, including steak pies, pork belly, sea bass and salmon, as well as Sunday roasts.
He said: ‘It’s amazing to have people here and seeing them have a great time, especially after what has seemed to be a long dark winter.
‘One of the things that makes us stand out, I’d say is our amazing French pastry chef, who invents and prepares our incredible desserts.
‘I also don’t think you find nowadays there are many family-owned restaurants - it's appealing to people like us who are looking for somewhere of quality to go to.’
Yvonne and Andrew Cohen have opened a new restaurant in Southsea called Minnies. Beetroot-Cured Salmon. Picture: Stuart Martin (220421-7042)
We have seen how tough the past year has been on businesses so we’ve decided to do our bit to help by offering a new way for businesses to market - and a lower cost.
The scheme, sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses, will help businesses promote themselves at a fraction of the usual advertising or marketing costs.
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Yvonne and Andrew Cohen have opened a new restaurant in Southsea called Minnies. Andrew and Yvonne pictured outside of the restaurant. Picture: Stuart Martin (220421-7042)
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Email your local rep Liz Wiffin on [email protected] to get signed up
For further business support contact Emma Weatherstone, membership advisor Portsmouth & Solent Federation of Small Businesses on [email protected] or 07764432489
