Cocktail bar and bistro planned for Bitterne Park Hotel site

mbuntu window tight crop 460px 20210324 104031A new cocktail bar and bistro is planned for downstairs at the Bitterne Park Hotel site on Cobden Avenue.

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Prince Ogbuji is leasing the ground floor, which used to be the pub, to open Mbuntu Cocktail Bar & Bistro (pronounced "Mm-Boon-Too", explains the bistro's Facebook page). 

It's being billed as the "perfect place to bring people together".

Prince said he and his wife already run Nativ restaurants in Bournemouth, and on Bevois Valley in Southampton, and they've been chefs for around 11 years.

"So we know what good food is!"

"Mbuntu as a word means 'we are together as a community'. It means 'I am because you are' ... it's a Swahili word that means being all a part of one."

"I just thought a fresh idea, fresh blood could make a difference," he said.

mbuntu window 460px 20210324 104031

According to Mbuntu's Facebook page, they will serve "fabulous dishes from all around the world, representing different ways of life and of living".

"From the sweet and fruity flavours of a Japanese Katsu curry (or Afro Asian plantain Katsu curry) to delicious Italian Pasta and our tasty, filling Mexican Burritos. We've put in the same dedication and efforts with our beautiful cocktails. We have Cuban Mojito, Italian Aperol Spritz, Martini cocktails or even Caribbean Guinness punches."

Prince explained the vision is to "shift a little bit from the normal pub", and to appeal to a different audience.

There are also plans for a facelift for the large garden.

Owners hope that, subject to licence approval, Mbuntu will open mid-May.

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