A brand new restaurant is opening in Ely later this week.

Sushi and Salad will serve delicious Japanese food in a relaxed environment right in the centre of the cathedral city.

The brand new business can be found in High Street Passage and is being opened by William Hunt and his partner Juliana.

The couple, who live close to Huntington both have a love for sushi and Ely, so when the opportunity came up to open a restaurant there, they could not resist.

"We saw the opportunity and took it."

Inside Sushi and Salad

William and Juliana have spoken about starting up a food business for years but never made any real plans.

However, early last year on a day out in Ely they spotted a shop that was being emptied.

William said: "It was before the pandemic, around February time.

"We saw a shop being emptied and asked what was happening with it.

"We ended up getting details about the sale and later put our offer in which was accepted.

"We saw the opportunity and took it."

The pair have a passion for sushi and Japanese food.

Juliana is originally from Brazil and grew up near the largest Japanese population in the world outside of Japan.

Because of this, she has a lot of experience with Japanese food, with a Brazilian twist - something she is bringing to the restaurant.

Since having their offer accepted, the pair have had huge amounts of training.

William said: "I am no sushi master, but I'm good enough.

"We have employed all local people and they have had a lot of training.

"We have met some of the most amazing sushi chefs."

"A takeaway that is actually healthy"

Whilst the coronavirus lockdown continues, Sushi and Salad will be operating as a takeaway but will open as a dine-in restaurant when they can.

When deciding on the name of the restaurant, William said he wanted it to reflect what they are all about.

He said: "The name is light-hearted, just like the restaurant.

"We are a takeaway that is actually healthy.

"The inside is designed to look like a Japanese sushi bar in the late 50s and early 60s.

"The way it looks just puts a smile on your face."

When they are allowed to open fully, William said he wants to be able to provide a comfortable place where everyone can relax.

He said: "It's comfortable for ladies who lunch, lads who like to sit at the bar and families too.

"We are a lot more than just raw fish."

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"We love Ely"

William is originally from Manchester and has lived in a number of places, including London.

However, he really loves Ely and its residents.

"We love Ely," William said.

"It's one of the most lovely places I have ever been to.

"It's like a Utopia.

"We are really excited about our whole project there."

William and Juliana have decorated and set up the restaurant mostly by themselves.

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William said that the support of the local people whilst they have been working has been amazing.

He said: "We have had people tapping on the window asking when we are going to open.

"There is nothing else like our restaurant in Ely.

"That was a big attraction as the city does not need another tea room or charity shop.

"It just made sense to open here."

The grand opening

The delicious food at Sushi and Salad

William said that lockdown has made the restaurant opening less stressful.

For the time being, Sushi and Salad will open for a few days a week and gradually grow to be open more.

William said: "I always try to see the positives.

"Only being able to offer takeaway makes the opening easier."

To start with William said they will offer a 'tight menu' that will be constantly growing and evolving.

They are just waiting for a few last-minute things before they open.

William admitted that he may have forgotten to order some chopsticks, but is determined not to let that delay anything.

Sushi and Salad will open its doors for takeaway for the first time on Thursday (February 4).

You can find them on High Street Passage, near Ely Cathedral.