October 8, 2014 10.23 am This story is over 113 months old

New Lithuanian restaurant opens in Lincoln

Lithuania to Lincoln: A new restaurant in Lincoln is giving residents the chance to sample a taste of Lithuania.
L-R: Dainava’s owners, Daiva and Tomas Palioniene, Karl McCartney MP and Lincoln BIG chief executive, Matt Corrigan.

A new restaurant in Lincoln’s city centre has officially opened its doors, offering a taste of Lithuania.

Dainava on Sincil Street opened in August, but was officially opened by Lincoln MP Karl McCartney on October 5.

The restaurant is run by Tomas Palionis and Daiva Palioniene, who live in Newark. Their aim is to share their love of Lithuanian food with both the Lincoln and Newark areas.

The restaurant serves traditional Lithuanian specialities such as Cepelinai (grated potato balls filled with minced pork) plus British favourites such as an English breakfast and fish and chips.

Drinks include Gira, a traditional Lithuanian soft drink made from bread.

Prices start at £3 for salads, starters and desserts, and £7 for mains, plus a children’s menu available from £4.

The interior of the new restaurant.

The interior of the new restaurant.

Daiva Palioniene said: “We are getting both English guests who love trying out our national cuisine, and Lithuanians, Latvians and Poles who miss their home cooking.”

Karl McCartney commented: “I was delighted to be able to officially open this restaurant here in Lincoln City Centre on Sincil Street which will give residents and visitors alike another great option for eating out in the City.”

The couple managed to set up their first restaurant with funding from NBV Enterprise Solutions and Virgin Start-Up for a start-up loan.

Karl added: “I would like to thank NBV Enterprise Solutions and Virgin Start-Up for the their financial support in helping Daiva and Tomas realise their dream of opening a traditional Lithuanian restaurant and would like to wish the couple the best of luck for the future.”

Richard Dearden, Chief Executive of NBV, said: “We are very pleased to be part of the Virgin solution for entrepreneurs who have a viable business idea, but no access to finance. We see start-up loans as being of huge benefit to people living in the East Midlands who are looking to start their own business.

“The launch of Dainava really showcases what NBV, and the collaboration with Virgin StartUp, is all about.”

Dainava is open Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm until late evening.