A restaurant focussing on pasta and pizza will open in Ashford town centre in May.

During the winter lockdown, Unita 4 has been gradually moving into a unit of the Elwick Place leisure complex.

Pronounced Unita Quattro, the Elwick Road eatery aims to offer a family-friendly environment under the guidance of head chef and restaurateur Damiano Vecchio.

He will bring a touch of his home region Puglia - the heel of Italy’s boot - to Ashford, with dishes like Pappardelle duck and rosemary ragout with smoked Scamorza cheese; Fusilli with smoked salmon, leeks & walnuts; and Gnocchetti sardi with prawns, pumpkin & sage.

Alongside the pasta dishes will be a range of pizzas, with plenty of vegetarian options too.

Unita 4 also hopes to inspire people in their home cooking, as the restaurant will feature 'a purpose-built Pasta Workshop kitchen', where Damiano and his team will host interactive artisanal pasta-making classes.

Damiano, who has 20 years' experience behind him, said: “I’m very excited to be in Ashford.

"My aim is to create a happy and welcoming environment for guests to enjoy freshly made pasta while feeling the positive Italian vibes.”

A long, brass bar will also be serving a range of Italian wines, beers and Prosecco, as well as classic cocktails.

The restaurant will open in stages, according to current guidelines, starting with the sunny terrace.

The Unita 4 terrace is hoped to be open for lunch and dinner, Wednesday to Sunday, from April 14 if weather allows.

Its grand opening is scheduled for May 17, when restaurants are permitted to resume dine-in service.

Domiano added: "We look forward to welcoming you to experience a taste of la dolce vita with us then."

Also opening soon in the council-owned Elwick Place is The Gastronomist, which will offer hours-long dining experiences from this Spring.

Another business getting ready to launch at the leisure complex was announced earlier this month, in the form of sports bar Matches.

The bar will feature an array of screens, as well as Ashford's first self-pour beer booth.

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