Bistro is back and in a safe pair of hands

Anthony Khoury has bought the Nightsafe Bistro in the High Street and has carried out a massive renovation, including the installation of a new extraction system.

Anthony, 40, was manager at William Hill in Hawick, when, six years ago, he decided to retrain as a chef, going on to spend time working at Born in the Borders in Galashiels and The Roxburghe Hotel in Kelso.

Anthony will be employing nine staff at the revamped outlet.

He said: “It’s not going to be your normal restaurant on the high street. We’re still going to have the nice cosy atmosphere and be family-friendly but it’s going to be a little more refined. I believe in high standards of food and service and I won’t compromise that.

“We’ll be using local people, local suppliers and showcasing the best of Scottish ingredients and Scottish food to put Hawick on the map in terms of food.

“It’s all about the ingredients and treating and presenting them in the best way you can. It will all be freshly-made. There will be no taking out of the freezer and putting in the microwave. That’s against everything we do.

“I’ve had tremendous support from the people of Hawick, wishing me all the best and asking how they can help and we’d like to repay them in kind by giving them somewhere they can come and really enjoy themselves.”

It is hoped the restaurant will open as early as next week, but that is dependent on when or if lockdown is reintroduced.

Anthony added: “Hawick is the biggest town in the Borders. Residents deserve a restaurant like this on their doorstep.”