A Norwich restaurant that has been shut for several years has reopened with new owners who are aiming to put it back on the map as a culinary destination. 

Couple Femi Abodunde and Belinda Wooltorton recently took on Tatlers in Tombland, which is inside an 18th-century building, and it has been given a refresh with local artwork on the walls. 

Norwich Evening News: Tatlers Restaurant is inside an 18th-century building in TomblandTatlers Restaurant is inside an 18th-century building in Tombland (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Abodunde, who most recently worked as a private chef, has a long association with the Norwich food scene. 

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Born to Nigerian parents, Femi and his sibling Bim were "the first black brothers to be fostered into Norwich" in the late 1960s, with their photos in the Norwich Castle Museum.

Norwich Evening News: Couple Belinda Wooltorton and Femi Abodunde are the new owners of Tatlers Restaurant in NorwichCouple Belinda Wooltorton and Femi Abodunde are the new owners of Tatlers Restaurant in Norwich (Image: Newsquest)

Femi went to the Hewett School and City College Norwich and then, aged 16, did an apprenticeship at London Hilton on Park Lane. 

He later returned to Norfolk to work as sous chef under Richard Hughes, now chef-director of The Assembly House, at South Walsham Hall. 

Norwich Evening News: Starters from Tatlers - Confit Duck Donut and Langoustine & King Prawn Taco (L-R) Starters from Tatlers - Confit Duck Donut and Langoustine & King Prawn Taco (L-R) (Image: Newsquest)

After going back to London for a couple of years, he returned to Norwich in the early 90s and had Femi's Restaurant in King Street for 12 years and then the Eaton Park Café for 14 years. 

On opening Tatlers, Mr Abodunde said: "I still had that fire in me to open a restaurant and come back to do what I have always had a passion for.

Norwich Evening News: Fillet steak with vine tomatoes, mushroom and watercress from TatlersFillet steak with vine tomatoes, mushroom and watercress from Tatlers (Image: Newsquest)

"I really feel that whatever your background, if you work hard then you can get where you want to be.

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"We have a great team with Glenn and Kim in the kitchen with me and Paulo with Belinda front-of-house."

Norwich Evening News: Seasonal greens and roasted venison with potato terrine, celeriac and blackberriesSeasonal greens and roasted venison with potato terrine, celeriac and blackberries (Image: Newsquest)

At lunchtime, you can enjoy a set two or three-course meal and in the evenings an a la carte menu is served.

The mains include wild seabass, roasted venison and steak, with a focus on local produce.

Norwich Evening News: Treacle tart with clotted cream ice cream from TatlersTreacle tart with clotted cream ice cream from Tatlers (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Abodunde added: "It is all about serving food that people enjoy so that they leave feeling full and happy.

"I am not cooking for the critics - if I was I wouldn't put a treacle tart on the menu!" 

Tatlers is open from Tuesday to Saturday at 12noon-2pm and 5.30pm-10pm - book at opentable.com/r/tatlers-norwich or call 01603 551166.