A CONTINENTAL restaurant tradition has been observed at a popular Weymouth harbourside restaurant.

Mallams has been passed on by its owners to the next generation of family.

It is now being run by Lauren, daughter of the restaurant owners Steve and Janice Gosson, together with her partner, expert mixologist Christian Lohez.

Steve and Janice started the Weymouth business in 1990 and feel that now is the right time to hand over to their daughter Lauren who is no stranger to the hospitality industry having grown up at Mallams, completed a degree in International Food and Hospitality Management at Bournemouth University and worked for the Four Seasons Hotel Group, Gondola Group and Revolution Bars.

Janice said: "Making the decision to hand over to Lauren and her fiancé ensures Mallams is kept in the family in the best tradition of some of the many restaurants on the continent."

Christian's French heritage and restaurateur parentage means that he totally understands the importance of tradition and he has worked in many fine establishments including running the interesting and avant-garde Canary Gin Bar in Bath.

In fact Christian's face still appears on the swing ticket of a bottle of Bath Gin. As this fact suggests, Christian's passion is drinks and he mixes a mean cocktail.

However Christian's influence can also be seen in the introduction of Mallams new Le Weekend Menu which is available on Friday and Saturday lunch times and includes such delicacies as fresh local black shell mussels and a chilli crab linguine with fresh picked Portland crab.

Lauren said: "We are really excited about being at the helm of Mallams. I grew up in the restaurant and it is fabulous to be able to return to the business and bring some new ideas thanks to my training and experience at several other establishments.

"We are looking forward to welcoming both existing and new customers who we hope will come and see what we have done to the restaurant and try out some of our new food offerings and the odd cocktail or two."

The building which houses Mallams has seen many transformations since it was built as one of two Tudor cottages more than 400 years ago.

It has been a shop and barbers in its time, serving the sailors during teh Second World War.

Its first incarnation as a restaurant was when it was called The Lazy Prawn and seafood was sold out of one of the front windows.

Both Lauren and Christian are hoping its latest transformation will be the most successful yet and they are hopeful that some of the many visitors and celebrities to have passed through its doors - including Alan Titchmarsh, Bill Nighy, Hayley Mills and Ben Ainslie - may do so again.

Call 01305 776757 for more information on Mallams or email enquiries@mallamsrestaurant.co.uk