A remarkable new banquet restaurant is set to open at the Riverside Entertainment Centre in Norwich next year – and with 600 covers, it will be the biggest in the region.

Adventure and live cooking are at the heart of the restaurant concept, which sets cuisine from India, China, Japan, the Far East, South America and Europe against vivid backdrops, reflecting the cultures from which it originates.

Simon Howlett, Za Za Bazaar marketing manager said: “The launch of our first restaurant in Bristol created a massive stir, with 7,000 guests dining here in the first week alone and newspaper reports commenting on the new brand appearing around the globe.

“We are now bringing Za Za Bazaar to Norwich. Local people will be able to enjoy the energy, originality and sheer fun of the Za Za experience for themselves.   

“Thirty specialist chefs will run our Norwich restaurant, creating authentic dishes from around the world with something for everyone to enjoy. This will be a remarkable place to relax and celebrate.”

A £2.5million redevelopment programme will begin early in 2012 to create the new restaurant, which is located on the site of Squares Bar. The 25,000 sq ft operation will open in the Spring.   

The driving force behind the new concept is Nitin Bhatnagar, a celebrated international chef. He explains his plans: “Our concept is simple – we provide the highest quality ingredients and cook them fresh in front of our guests.

“The vibe is the buzz of the night market,” he explains. “If you go to Bangkok or Singapore, you will find street markets with people selling delicious things, vying for your business, trying to get you to taste their food.

“This is the atmosphere that we create. Maybe you will try a satay here, something from the barbecue there – whatever catches your eye. You meet friends or your family. You have a beer, then go back for something more to eat.

“We are creating the ambience of the streets. We are getting the outside inside – making a great place for our customers to explore.

“There will be tuk tuks and artwork, with street designs from a range of cultures. Everything will be comfortable, informal – and right at the centre of everything will be our food.”

Nitin explains that Norwich has been chosen as the second city for the new concept because: “This is a vibrant city, with a great number of families, students and young people. This is a strong regional centre and an ideal place for our new brand.”