Sunderland Restaurant Week 2019

So what’s Restaurant Week All About?

It’s that time again and Sunderland Restaurant Week is back and last night, I was lucky enough to have been invited* along to try out just some of the dishes which will be on offer between Saturday 16th until Sunday 24th March.

Over the 9 days, diners can enjoy two and three courses from a set menu for £10/£15 per person, or for as little as £5 in smaller cafes. With a whole host of eateries taking part – Arabesque, Fat Buddha, Poetic License and Tequila Tequila to name but a few, there really is a wide variety of different origins and flavours to sample. And a great opportunity to make the most of what the City has to offer.

Now let’s get into our evening

Living in Whitley Bay which has undergone quite extensive re-development recently, there is no shortage of places to dine. So I tend to stay local if with friends or when we have family come to visit. Or Sunday afternoons I’ll often go into town with my husband and two children for a meal, usually in Greys Quarter. Sunderland isn’t somewhere I’ve ever thought about when it comes to choosing somewhere to eat. Consequently, I was slightly apprehensive at the start of the evening. I think I’m of the impression that Newcastle is the North East city known for its buzz and vibe. And wasn’t sure if Sunderland would have anything to offer for me.

I travelled by metro and the journey took just over an hour. Changing at Pelaw, before getting off at Park Lane to make my way to the first venue of the evening, P’s & Q’s Bar and Lounge

After a 2-minute walk I’d arrived at the quaint and quirky Cocktail bar and took a seat joining the other Bloggers taking part in the ‘Sunderland Safari’ and chose my first drink of the evening. This wasn’t easy. With cocktails such as Bubblegum Burst, The Cherry Drop and Bakewell Tart Martini, I felt quite spoilt for choice, but eventually opted for a Parma Violet.

We were then told a little about Restaurant Week, what the plan was for the evening. Then put into three groups, each group with two venues to visit, then made our way to our first restaurant for starters.

Amore Italia

Amore Italia was our first stop of the evening. Situated above the Dunn Cow and right next to Sunderland Empire Theatre and only a five minute walk from P’s & Q’s. We made our way up the stairs and into a beautiful opulent setting. With ornate features and overlooking historic buildings such as the Empire and Minster, it was easy to forget we were in Sunderland City Centre.

Drinks order taken and within ten minutes we were presented with around seven starters. Some off the regular menu and some exclusively for Restaurant Week. Mussels with onion, garlic, chili and tomato sauce, a variety of King Prawns sauteed in sauces. Toasted Crostini topped with fresh tomato marinated in mint, basil, garlic and olive oil. Tempura Fried Calamari, Pork topped with Parma ham and Tempura Asparagus. I tried a bit of everything. None of the dishes were something I’d ever go for, but all delicious. My favourite being the asparagus. I have discovered that soft asparagus with crispy batter is just amazing.

With starters like this our night started off on a high and I’m pleased I got to sample foods I’d usually skim past on a menu.

I’d also like to give a mention to the staff at Amore for their fantastic service. I didn’t catch the young waiters name, but he was so polite and attentive and with staff and service like that, it’s a restaurant I’d want to return to.

2 Church Lane

Starters finished, and next on our menu was 2 Church Lane. Sunderlands only specialist burger and craft ale bar for our Main Course. Admittedly I’m not a big meat eater so I wouldn’t go out specifically for a burger. However, I’m finding burger bars are becoming increasingly popular with a lot more variety and choices than just your regular burger on a bun.

We crossed the road to the cosy little bar and took seats in a booth by the window.  Our drinks order was taken as we looked through the menu. There was quite a choice including an impressive list of vegetarian and vegan options which is a welcomed addition to any menu.

I felt tempted to go for a Traditional Plain and Simple Burger, but decided to go all out and ordered The Fat Boy. Two large 6oz beef patties stacked with pulled pork, melted cheese, bacon, crispy onions and Churchys sauce. All dishes came with coleslaw and fries. We were given the option to upgrade the fries and although some interesting additions I’ve never come across such as BBQ Pulled Jack Fruit, I decided to stick with the sea salt.

All our dishes were made from fresh and had arrived in around only 15 minutes. Which I thought was excellent service considering there was 5 of us. The burger was cooked perfectly and very tasty. The homemade fries just how I like them. Not too crispy as some tend to be. I didn’t manage to finish my meal, but purely due to portion size and having just eaten starters. The food was divine and I’m planning to return with my two girls as I know this is somewhere they’d enjoy.

808 Bar and Kitchen

Mains done and it was time to head off for our last course of the evening, Desert. I made it no secret I’d been looking forward to desert since the itinerary for the evening dropped in my email last week. 808 Bar & Kitchen was our final stop of the evening, and where we’d all meet up for pancakes.

808 was around a 5-minute walk from 2 Church Street, and situated right in Sunderland City Centre. It’s literally a minutes’ walk from the metro Station so again, easily accessible.

Walking up the stairs into the restaurant I immediately felt Choccywoccydoodah vibes. I visited whilst in Brighton last summer and wished for something similar up here. The ivy winding up the stairs, the blossom trees the, the quirky colourful and unique decor. It was just stunning and has that ‘wow’ factor I like to feel when visiting somewhere new. We were even fascinated with the pastel and gold Ladies toilets and triangular tiles on the ceiling. I’ll sum the decor in 808 Bar & Kitchen up in one very modern word, and that’s ‘Instagram’.

We took our seats on the leather seated tables by the window and ordered our drinks. From again, another extensive drinks menu I chose an English Country Garden. A very refreshing Gin based drink with cucumber, lime mint and soda.

The pancakes began to arrive, and we were presented with two or three different plates per table. Beautifully presented Nutella and Strawberry, Kinda Bueno Pancakes, Syrup and Bacon and Cream Egg. Generously sized, warm fluffy Pancakes which had a doughnut like texture. All tasting as good as they looked.

Two of the girls in our group didn’t like pancakes. This wasn’t a problem as they were given the choice of anything they’d like as an alternative. Chloe opted for Chocolate Fudge cake and Ice Cream and Bronia, Vegan Ice Cream and both dishes looked just as delicious.

I’ve tried a few restaurants, cafes and desert bars for pancakes, and this wins in for me. For taste AND aesthetics. Pancakes in such a beautiful setting, winner winner.

What did I think? Is Sunderland the place to be next week?

Absolutely. I had no idea how many places there are to eat in a City in which I now feel is unrepresented and undervalued. I know I’ll be making a trip back over Restaurant week. And the Sunderland food scene is now definitely on my radar.

Thank you so much to Bernice Saltzer of Sorted PR Ltd for giving me the opportunity to come along to my very first ‘Sunderland Safari’, and the staff at P’s & Q’s, Amore Italia, 2 Church Street and 808 Bar & Kitchen for your hospitality.

To find out more about Sunderland Restaurant Week and a whole list of cafes, outlets, bars and restaurants taking part, check out the Sunderland Experience website

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* This was a gifted experience in exchange for coverage over social media. All thoughts, and opinions are completely genuine and my own.