Eat Out to Help Out: Express checks out Rishi Sunak’s scheme to get Britain eating

After a short wait, I entered where Chancellor Rishi Sunak had rolled up his sleeves to serve diners and announce the scheme last month. Dishy Rishi had obviously served up a great deal diners were out in force.

I chose a vegetable tempura with crispy, fried broccoli and red peppers but I then caught a whiff of the chain’s famous katsu curry and had that too, after all, it was all going to be half the price.

Fellow diner Shazida Ahmed, in her 20s, said she had not been out in more than four months and was meeting old friends.

She said: “I always skip dessert because it’s too expensive but because of the scheme, I’m taking everything today.”

Manager Sergio Medina told me the restaurant had an “amazing vibe” on day one of the scheme.

He said: “It’s definitely busier than last week, at least 50 percent busier. I predict it will continue for the entire month.

“It feels great to have a packed restaurant again. This is what we want. Staff are happy, customers are happy. We see happy faces all around. It’s a ‘win, win’.”

I definitely felt like a winner when the bill arrived: £10.20!

source: express.co.uk