A BOLTON restaurant team is hoping its new look eatery will pack a punch with customers — after a glowing review from Amir Khan.

The Dhanak Deira restaurant in Blackburn Road has been closed for a major refurbishment and is set to re-open with a new Indo-Chinese fusion menu next month.

Boxing star Amir has been a regular customer at the restaurant — which is based inside a former church building, built in 1903 — and said he has been knocked out by the new menu.

The two-time world champ said: “I have been visiting the Dhanak Deira for the past couple of years and the food is amazing, but what I like about the new menu is it has something for everyone.

“If you like Indian food or Chinese food or a fusion of the two then you will be happy — the chefs do an amazing job and I couldn’t keep my hands off the food.”

Amir said he thinks the new-look eatery is what his hometown requires, adding: “At the moment I think a lot of people travel out of Bolton to get a nice meal, so this is what Bolton needs.”

The managing directors of the Dhanak Deira — Omar Shahid, Nadia Liu and Matthew Chen — were keen to preserve much of the restaurant’s history during the renovation works.

The restaurant has been in Mr Shahid’s family since 2008 with his father running it until he took over in 2011.

The entrepreneurial team were keen to keep the legacy of Dhanak Deira running whilst enhancing the interiors and menu.

Speaking of the changes, Omar said: “Myself and the team are very excited to see the plans for Dhanak Deira coming to life over the next few months.

“We wanted to stay in Bolton having established the restaurant here over the last eight years and gaining a loyal customer base.

“The concept is, however, being given a new lease of life with a modern injection into the menu and interiors. We can’t wait to welcome back our past and new customers into the restaurant.”

Offering covers for 130 and exclusively Halal meat, the Dhanak Deira is expected to re-open in September.

There are also plans in motion for a private upstairs function room to hold 120 people, scheduled for opening in late 2016.