A new Indian restaurant and bar has opened its doors to the public in St Albans.

Nouvellé Lounge in Wycombe Place, Marshalswick, officially opened yesterday evening (Wednesday, September 21).

The new restaurant has the same owner - Mohammed Shoohan Choudhury - as Nawab (formerly Taste of Nawab) on London Road.

%image(15708717, type="article-full", alt="Mohammed Shoohan Choudhury with members of his family, ahead of the launch.")

Nouvellé Lounge describes itself as a "premium Indian restaurant and bar".

Throughout the location is a sleek blend of modern decoration and traditional design elements.

%image(15708720, type="article-full", alt="Nouvellé Lounge is located in Wycombe Way, Marshalswick.")

A large tree in the centre of the dining area, diamond-cut angular mirrors and wall decoration designed to absorb sound are all features in the new restaurant's interior.

On the opening, owner Mohammed Shoohan Choudhury, said: "It took a long while, longer than we had anticipated.

%image(15708722, type="article-full", alt="Modern touches interact with traditional Indian elements within the restaurants décor.")

"There were a lot of hidden surprises behind the building that we weren't actually aware of.

"With any construction site you find that if you touch one thing, you find multiple surprises.

%image(15708726, type="article-full", alt="Wooden acoustic walls are designed to absorb sound and enhance the restaurant's atmosphere.")

"That's why we're so delayed on opening.

"We were originally hoping to open at the beginning of September, but there's been all these surprises and (delays with) materials."

%image(15708728, type="article-full", alt="Floor tiles have been shipped from Spain to add to the restaurant's look.")

A big part of Nouvellé Lounge's attraction is its unique and modern interior design, Mohammed explained: "In St Albans, there are so many traditional curry houses.

"Everything is moving forward, we are trying to move with that era, to move forward and away from the traditional curry house.

%image(15708730, type="article-full", alt="Nouvellé Lounge's menu reflects the owner's desire to blend tradition with modern recipes.")

"We have a sister restaurant, Nawab St Albans, which is a very classical traditional curry house.

"This is a very condensed market.

%image(15708733, type="article-full", alt="Individual booths are designed to both add to the restaurant's atmosphere and produce Instagrammable moments.")

"To stand out and be unique we are trying to change the game of the presentation, the ambiance and the atmosphere of the restaurant, as well as the food we provide."

On the restaurant's food itself, Mohammed commented: "It will have some similarities (to Nawab's menu), traditional dishes, traditional curries.

%image(15708736, type="article-full", alt="A large tree sits at centre stage within the restaurant.")

"Traditional curries are pretty much the same in all Indian restaurants, we have a few different dishes in here as well.

"The base will be pretty much the same, but there will be different flavours.

%image(15708739, type="article-full", alt="Modern design touches help to differentiate the restaurant from traditional curry houses.")

"It is the same region of food, East towards the Bengal, but we are different.

"There are a few different dishes in here (than Nawab).

%image(15708740, type="article-full", alt="The restaurant has been designed to create an "Instagrammable" location.")

"Because we are in the same city, we are trying to differentiate and provide a few unique dishes."

When asked about Nouvellé Lounge's signature dish, the owner replied: "I would say that the signature dish here is one of our Salmon Bhunas.

%image(15708743, type="article-full", alt="Diamond-cut mirrors adorn the walls of the restaurant's interior.")

"We have also got a Salmon Korma or Tikka version.

"We have been intrigued by Jamie Oliver's dish Crispy Salmon Tikka.

"It has been very popular in the market, we have made a few tweaks to it and added a bit of a traditional twist.

%image(15708744, type="article-full", alt="Mohammed Shoohan Choudhury aims to create an atmosphere, as well as serving good food.")

"I think that will be a really good seller here."

The salmon dish perhaps sums up the direction in which Mohammed and his team wish to take Nouvellé Lounge, blending tradition with modern and unique elements.

Mohammed Shoohan Choudhury's closing statement illustrates this: "It is a combination of a traditional curry and a modern twist."