'I feel very connected to Newport' - Restaurant owners share 'excitement' ahead of next week's opening

The owners of a new restaurant and bar set to open next week have shared their excitement at launching the business in a Shropshire town.

The Happy Quail in Newport will open its doors for the first time on Monday (October 19) at 9am.

It is on the site of the new Sundew Court retirement complex but is independent and open to the public.

Emma and Heber Rodriguez, an experienced couple in the world of hospitality, own the new venue, which aims to add to the already established vibrant food and drink offer in Newport, not to compete with it.

The couple live in Priorslee with their children, but for Emma, who grew up in Newport, it is a long overdue homecoming.

The Happy Quail will be opening Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm until the venue receives its alcohol licence.

Once it has been granted the licence, the business will open for evening service too.

The new restaurant and bar will offer an array of food and drink.

Customers can expect dishes from Uruguay - Heber is Uruguayan - Italy, Spain and everywhere in between.

During daytime service, patrons can expect an array of breakfast options, from traditional English breakfasts to churros.

At lunch, ploughman's sandwiches as well as the couple’s famous Scotch eggs will be on the menu, and lots, lots more.

Emma and Heber also own and run Rodriguez Events, a successful catering business that does weddings, private parties, and corporate events.

The couple have also owned both individually and together several restaurants in Bridgnorth, Shrewsbury and Birmingham.

Talking about opening on Monday, Emma said: “We are both really excited. I am really happy to be doing something in Newport.

“It is a place that I have come to when I have visited my parents for the last 45 years, so I feel very connected with Newport, but it is the first time I will ever have done any kind of business here.”

She added: “We feel really happy to be here.”

Asked about what The Happy Quail’s unique selling point is, Emma said: “I would say what makes us unique is our original slant on Mediterranean food.”

She went on to say: “We are authentic and tasty, and we are not competing with any of our wonderful local pubs or any of our wonderful local ethnic restaurants either. We are just doing something that feels a little bit different.”

People can enquire about bookings and more information about the restaurant by contacting [email protected].