Final touches to a new restaurant in St Nicholas Street, Ipswich, are being made ahead of opening next month.

Owners are hoping to open La Cueva, in the former Zizzi premises, in mid-April.

East Anglian Daily Times: The final touches to La Cueva are being made ahead of opening next monthThe final touches to La Cueva are being made ahead of opening next month (Image: Louis Van Den Kolk)

Louis Van Den Kolk, who has 45 years' experience in the restaurant business, spoke to the Ipswich Star at the beginning of March, promising "beautiful food, a great chef and nice cocktails with smoke and tricks".

In the middle of the restaurant is a cherry blossom centrepiece, with colourful patchwork chairs and walls lined with artwork.

East Anglian Daily Times: The upstairs seating area has art and floral decorationThe upstairs seating area has art and floral decoration (Image: Louis Van Den Kolk)

La Cueva is already popular with passers-by - Mr Van Den Kolk said he already has a booking for a wedding party after the décor caught the eye of planners - but it needs to be more than just a pretty place.

East Anglian Daily Times: Owners have big plans to make La Cueva something different for IpswichOwners have big plans to make La Cueva something different for Ipswich (Image: Louis Van Den Kolk)

The menu is British-European and meals are made fresh with ingredients sourced locally wherever possible.

Sharing plates, Sunday brunch and late-night cocktails are also part of the plans.

East Anglian Daily Times: Much attention has been paid to the decor but owners know it can't just be a pretty placeMuch attention has been paid to the decor but owners know it can't just be a pretty place (Image: Louis Van Den Kolk)