Sunderland restaurant week begins on Saturday the 24th of September (day before my birthday!) and runs until October the 2nd and promises to be an event not to be missed!
We were invited to a ‘safari supper’ preview event which was hosted by Sunderland Business Improvement District (Sunderland BID). All we knew is that we were to visit 4 different venues and sample a range of their dishes to get a ‘taste of Sunderland’ and I have to say I love this way of eating! We got to experience so many delicious dishes from lots of different venues which most definitely makes me want to go back for more!
Having met a lot of the girls that would be there before I was excited to meet up again and knowing we were going on a food crawl was the perfect excuse not to eat all day!
We started our night in Cafe Purple which is an uber cool looking eatery with large crystal chandeliers, huge ornate mirrors and beautiful leather booths. Seated in one of these booths we were treat to a plate of cheeses, olives and breads while sipping a sample of their cocktail menu.
Having arrived a little late we hate time to make up so grabbing a straw I dived straight in and have to say the pink bubblegum concoction was my favourite!
Swiftly moving along (to next door!!) and the Port Of Call where we had yet more cocktails and nibbles consisting of mini burgers, muscles two ways and a selection of open sandwiches.
Port of Call is a nautical theme kitchen and bar that we were also advised to return to during the day and sample the seafood menu – to die for apparently!
Next up was the Prosecco Bar and The Funky Indian. You walk into the Prosecco Bar and you are greeted warmly by a server who will bring you drinks, you open a tab and sit back while those around you top up your glass! The whole ethos behind PB is that you have had a hard day at work and when you’re enjoying Prosecco you really don’t want to be up and down to a bar – the drink is brought to you!
We headed downstairs which is where The Funky Indian is situated and it is like walking into a scene from a Bollywood movie. With all of the rich and vibrant colours you expect from India alongside the delicious smells of the authentic food this is certainly a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach!
We were all seated before the owner, Kam, took us through the menu and brought out samples for us all to try (seriously if you have anything from the menu choose the cauliflower – never before have I craved something so much!) We dined on Masala Fries, Bombay Pav, Seekh Kebab and Chicken Poppers.
I am not one for spicy food so was a little cautious but needn’t have worried as they were all delicious and so tasty that they tasted like authentic Indian foods and not of the take away variety if that makes sense! (On our list for restaurant week!)
From here we walked round to Angelos Ristorante located in Sunderlands Sunniside where everything on the menu is freshly handmade on the premises using only the finest Italian ingredients. The Head Chef, Nello, won the best Italian chef in England and Angelos was listed in the top ten Italian restaurants in England at the English Italian awards 2015 and boy did they deliver! Bringing out bowls of their award winning Strozzapreti con Salsiccia a Friarielli, (Handmade twist pasta with homemade sausage, Neapolitan broccoli and cream of Provolone cheese),
Pollo Ripieno con Fontina e Prosciutto (chicken breast stuffed with Fontina cheese and ham then coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried) and plates of fresh mozzarella and Palma ham pizza. The whole menu looks absolutely amazing and we will most definitely be back for more!
Finally we walked/rolled around the corner and into the very fine establishment that is Sweet Tooth Delivery!
OH MY GOODNESS my fillings hurt as I walked through the door and my hips expanded voluntarily but there was no chance I was turning down this stop! Glass cases were filled with monumental cakes that towered higher than the next, cheesecakes of all varieties and ice cream in abundance called my name! I opted for the Eton Mess Cheesecake and large latte then took a seat in the booth area at the back of the shop. We didn’t have to wait long until our dessert arrived, I had expected the cake to arrive as it looked in the case, but it was presented on a larger plate with a drizzle of fruit puree and fresh cream. Mmmm!
Needless to say at this point we were struggling to fit anything else in so sat chatting while working our way through our cakes. The staff were so lovely and kept asking if we were OK and if we needed anything else, nothing seemed to be an issue for these ladies and even through it was after 9pm the smiles were still fixed in place….whether that is to do with loving their jobs or being surrounded by cake I’m not sure but either way it was a beautiful finish to a fabulous night!
I came home full of delicious food and head full of ideas where I want to visit next! During the last couple of days I have been marking the map of Sunderland to plan our trek around during Sunderland Restaurant Week and I for one simply cant wait!
XOXO
Debbie
