A SAINTS legend was among the VIP guests to attend the opening of a new waterfront restaurant in a landmark Southampton building.

Matt Le Tissier was one of 50 guests, including fellow ex-footballer Paul Walsh, to dine at the preview night of the new Gatehouse 1833.

The modern British eatery, at Royal Pier, is the newest venture of renowned restaurateur Kuti Miah – owner of Indian restaurant Kuti’s Brasserie, which is on the ground floor below the new venue.

He said: “I love Southampton and my passion is for food.

“I wanted to create a restaurant which puts Southampton on the map for food and I want people to say that the Gatehouse is back.”

Leading the kitchen team is head chef Lee Burden, who most recently worked at the acclaimed Chesil Rectory in Winchester.

The 33-year-old, who also worked at the Three Tuns in Romsey, said: “I’m really looking forward to cooking my food – keeping it seasonal and local.”

Daily Echo:

(Sea bream was on the menu at the preview night of Gatehouse 1833 - picture by James Newell)

He added: “There isn’t anywhere in the city you can get a great view of the waterfront like you can here.”

As well as food, the new venue has a bar and outdoor terrace, which will be used for live cooking in the summer.

Matt Le Tissier said: "I had an absolutely superb time.

"It's a great location in the city to have restaurant and it's set up to do really really well here."

  •  See pictures from the opening night in Monday’s Echo.