Breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner are on the menu from March 7 – when Sunderland Restaurant Week returns across the city.
Many favourites are taking part in the event, alongside several new recruits. Around 50 venues are participating this time around – including newcomers Ember at Sheepfolds Stables, and The Korean Spoon at Fawcett Street.
Tamer Hassan, owner and chef patron of Ember, said: “When we first opened, our main focus was on establishing Ember’s reputation and building strong foundations as a new business. At the time, we were conscious that Restaurant Week could make us exceptionally busy, and we didn’t want to risk putting too much pressure on the team or compromising the standards we were working so hard to set.
“Now, 18 months on, we feel much more established and confident in what we do. It feels like the right time for us to be part of such a brilliant event and to give something back to the community that has supported us so strongly since day one. We’re excited to welcome new guests through the door and showcase what Ember is all about.”
Rachel Meng, owner of The Korean Spoon, added: “We’re delighted to be taking part in Sunderland Restaurant Week for the first time. The support we’ve received since opening has been incredible, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming both new and returning customers to discover our authentic Korean cuisine.”
The event – which is organised by Sunderland’s BIDs, which includes the City Centre BID and the Seafront BID, and is backed by Nexus – showcases the city’s fast-growing food and drink scene. Diners can take advantage of offers priced at £10, £15, £20 and £25 throughout the week – covering cuisines from around the world.
Mediterranean fans can enjoy food at Angelo’s, Vito’s Osteria at Sheepfolds, I Scream for Pizza, Antico and Roma – along with Acropolis at STACK Seaburn and Diego’s Joint.
Those who love a curry will also be well served – with special deals at My Delhi, Goa, Mumbai Silk, Saba Maison De Luxe, Babaji, and The Chesters Lounge.
Wider Asian cuisine is also strongly represented – courtesy of Asiana, Koji, and House of Zen.
Most of the city’s best loved pubs and bars are also taking part – such as The Keel Tavern, Gatsby, Port of Call, The Shipwrights, and The 3 Stories.
Coffee shops including Fausto Coffee, Esquires Coffee, The Mad Hatter, The Coffee Snug at the Chair, Café Floriana, and 1842 Café and Bistro have all come up with delicious offers too – as has Ashbrooke Home.
Doughnut specialist Deep North at Sheepfolds is sweetening the deal, as are Sweet Petite, Yard Nine, and the Seachange Café at Wear.
Turkish cuisine is represented by Enfes – while Panda Garden, Mexico 70, and the ever-popular Rio Brazilian steakhouse are also taking part.
Rumour Has It, always one of the most popular choices for the event, is back on board too, as is Spent Grain – with Seaburn Bay, Burger Drop, Six, and the Grand Hotel all providing a range of deals.
Roberta Redecke, head of business operations at Sunderland’s BIDs, said: “Sunderland’s food and drink scene continues to go from strength to strength and that’s reflected in the range of cuisines we have on offer this time round. From traditional English favourites to cakes and a cuppa to the very best of food from across Europe to more far-flung flavours – we really have something for everyone.”
To take advantage of the offers, diners need to download vouchers at www.sunderlandbid.co.uk/restaurant-week
