A Grade II-listed Bradford building is being brought back to life as a South Asian restaurant after almost a year of work.
The restaurant, which is called Manor Row, will open to the public at 32 Manor Row, Bradford, on Tuesday, September 29.
Four local restaurateurs have created the independent restaurant.
Inside the new Manor Row restaurant
Eden’s Tearoom & Patisserie owners Saeqa Gazi-Hussain and Nurul Hussain are behind the project with Marha Lounge owners Anisa Ali and Hasnain Akhmat.
They aim to bring a new dining experience to Bradford while putting one of its historic buildings back into use.
The property dates back to the 1820s and was originally built as a townhouse.
Inside the new Manor Row restaurant
It has served several purposes over the years.
Many Bradford residents will remember it as the former home of Nawaabs.
The owners have spent almost a year planning, designing and renovating the property.
The work has been carefully carried out because the property is listed and subject to strict restrictions.
Inside the new Manor Row restaurant
The building’s past is also linked to its future: the landlord was one of Nawaabs’ original partners.
He has supported the new owners throughout the project and given them time to develop their plans.
Ms Gazi-Hussain and Mr Hussain said: “We love creating places that give Bradford something special.
The logo of the new Manor Row restaurant
“With Eden’s, we learnt how much we enjoy creating not just food, but a whole experience and an environment that people genuinely love spending time in.
“Manor Row is an evolution of that for us. We wanted an elevated, curated space that reflects the kind of places we love visiting ourselves, but one that still has the warmth and hospitality that feels like Bradford.
“We’ve spent almost a year working on Manor Row and have really taken our time to create something that feels right for us and for the building.
“We’ve also been incredibly fortunate to have such an understanding and supportive landlord.
“Having been one of the original partners of Nawaabs, he understands what this building means.
“For him to see us as a new generation of restaurateurs and trust us with its next chapter means a great deal to all of us.”
The menu draws on South Asian flavours, traditions and heritage, with modern dishes influenced by food from around the world.
It includes papadums, pani puris and chaats, followed by tandoor-cooked small plates, traditional karahis, biryanis and the owners’ heritage twists.
Signature dishes include smoked lamb chops, Silk Road malai tikka, butter chicken, karahi lamb shank and Amritsari fish and chips.
The menu also features butter chicken bao, pulled-meat tacos and grilled chilli halloumi rigatoni.
The restaurant sums up its identity as “Modern South Asian. Rooted in Heritage.”
Ms Ali and Mr Akhmat said: “We wanted to create somewhere that feels considered from the moment you walk through the door – from the food and interiors to the atmosphere and service.
“Bradford has an incredible South Asian food scene and we’re proud for Manor Row to be part of its next chapter.”
The four owners have designed Manor Row as more than a place to eat. Its interiors draw on South Asian heritage and the story of Lady Meherbai Tata, reworked in a modern style.
Parts of the property’s history have also been preserved, including its historic vault, which offers a glimpse of the building’s earlier uses.
The owners say the elevated dining space will still welcome families.
The project has created new jobs in Bradford.
Staff have been recruited for front-of-house, bar and kitchen roles.
The owners say one of the project’s biggest moments will be seeing people return to the building after it stood empty for some time.
Ms Gazi-Hussain, Mr Hussain, Ms Ali and Mr Akhmat said: “Bradford is our home and we’re incredibly proud to be investing here.
“We want people to walk through the doors of Manor Row and feel that Bradford has somewhere really special.
“Somewhere you can celebrate, bring your family, have dinner with friends or simply enjoy a beautiful evening.
“This building has already had so many chapters and holds memories for so many people.
“We feel incredibly privileged to be the ones bringing it back to life and we hope the next generation will now create their own memories here.”