A Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Abbots Langley has won Best Newcomer Restaurant at the Turkish Restaurant & Takeaway Awards (TURTA).

Representatives of the High Street eatery La Banq were presented with the award yesterday (Sunday, November 5), during a ceremony at London's Park Lane Sharaton Hotel.

La Banq prides itself on having a "carefully curated cocktail menu" to compliment fine dining and "friendly and entertaining" service.

Music nights and a dance show also take place at the restaurant, which opened its doors in December last year (2022).

Watford Observer: La Banq officially opened in December last year (2022).La Banq officially opened in December last year (2022). (Image: La Banq)

Among 16 other winners on the night was Hemel Hempstead's Opuz. The Marlowes eatery was presented with the Customer Satisfaction award.

Watford Observer: La BanqLa Banq (Image: La Banq)

The full list of winners can be seen below:

  • Best Newcomer Restaurant in London / Outside London - La Banq - Watford
  • Best Newcomer Restaurant in London / Outside London - Meze Turkish Mediterranean & Grill - Cannock
  • Best Turkish Cafe / Restaurant in London - Fast Break Kozzy Cafe - London
  • Best Takeaway in London - Olives and Meze - London
  • Best Takeaway in Regional - Master Kebab - London
  • Best Takeaway Regional - Irmak BBQ Dunstable - Dunstable
  • Best Turkish Cafe / Restaurant in Wales - The Corpa Cafe - Newport
  • Best Turkish Restaurant in North and West London - Melissa Restaurant (Edgware)
  • Best Turkish Restaurant in Northern Ireland - Istanbul Turkish Restaurant - Derry
  • Best Turkish Restaurant in Scotland - Antioch Restaurant - Dunfermline
  • Best Turkish Restaurant Regional - Tarla Restaurant - Stevenage
  • Best Value Restaurant - Antep Kitchen - Oxford
  • Chef of the year - Aziz Gezer / Uni Kebab Turkish Mangal - Southampton
  • Customer Satisfaction - Opuz Hemel Hempstead - Hemel Hempstead
  • Fine Dining Restaurant - Mantl - London
  • Best Delivery Restaurant Take Away - Marmaris Turkish Restaurant - Hemel Hempstead
  • Kebab Van of the Year - The Best Diamond Kebab Van - Cambridge
  • Supplier Award - Sancak Meat - Waltham Cross
  • Best Designed Restaurant in London - Ruya Restaurant - London 
  • Best Value Restaurant - Fez Mangal Mayfair - London
  • TURTA International Award - Tavacı Recep - Turkiye
  • Best Turkish Restaurant Regional - Mehmet Kitchen - Portsmouth
  • Best Turkish Restaurant Regional - Mount Nemrut - Smethwick
  • Customer Satisfaction - Kaya Meze Bar - Rochester
  • Best Takeaway South and East London - Lara Grill - Dagenham
  • Best Turkish Restaurant in Scotland - Memed Grill and Meze Bar - Edinburgh 

Solicitor Ozan Aşkın, a member of the judging panel, said: "The United Kingdom, known for its diverse and cosmopolitan culinary scene, has warmly  welcomed the enticing and aromatic offerings of Turkish cuisine."

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Lord Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer - one of the sponsors of the awards - added: "We are delighted to be part of TURTA.

"TURTA is not just a competition, it is an important engagement platform for food professionals.

"As sponsors this year, we are thrilled to gather with the UK's best Turkish restaurants and takeaways."