Prime eatery rated in top one per cent

A RESTAURANT is celebrating after mystery diners in a national scheme rated it in the top one per cent of eateries across the UK.

39Prime in Reigate was rated fourth out of 2,000 restaurants by members of the Hi-Life Diners Club.

Achievement: Andy Castle outside the revamped 39Prime
REIGATE RESTAURANT 39 PRIME: 39 Prime has got to final 4 of a national competition. Andy Castle the exec chef who is responsible for the achievement, in photo is Andy Castle

The restaurant serves modern British cuisine and specialises in steaks. It is part of the JJWhispers group, and its 50-seater dining room is above the bar in Church Street.

Executive chef Andy Castle said: "It is always nice to get any sort of feedback, even getting an e-mail from a customer saying they enjoyed the food, but to get recognised by so many people and to be in the top one per cent is absolutely fantastic."

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The restaurant was listed as a finalist in the Hi-Life Dining Awards, handed out earlier this year. The dining scheme offers discounts on meals out.

"It's like a Taste card," said Mr Castle. "The diners club then contacts the members to see where they have been, and the people that came to us rated us, out of 2,000 restaurants, in the top four."

He said the restaurant, which opened three years ago, had "mixed reviews" in the past, but has undergone a major image change in the past 12 months.

"We have had a revamp and really tried to build the restaurant up over the past year and it is going really well," he said.

"We have revamped the menu and we try to use a lot more fresh produce and our customers are noticing we are trying to do something a bit different, especially in Reigate where there are so many chain restaurants.

"I think the standard of our food is very high, and the service we provide and the knowledge amongst the staff is very good.

"The service people get is genuine. It doesn't matter if it's my mum, Joe Bloggs or the Queen – everybody is going to get the same food when they come to the restaurant."

The restaurant was given a plaque and certificate for reaching the award finals.