The opening of a new restaurant in Tynemouth has met with a chorus of approval and evoked many happy memories.
VIPs, members of the North Tyneside business community and local residents were invited to a special preview evening at The Salt Cove, located in the iconic Park Hotel Tynemouth.
The restaurant, which can seat 200 diners, has been created as part of a £3m re-development of the Art Deco hotel where all 55 bedrooms have been refurbished.
As well as a significant investment in bricks and mortar, the owners have also recruited top talent to match the surroundings.
The executive head chef is Matei Baran who was a quarter-finalist in the Master Chef: The Professionals TV competition and has already built an impressive reputation after moving to the North East from his native Romania less than ten years ago.
Preview evening guests were treated to a taste of Matei’s food which looks certain to put The Salt Cove on the culinary map.
“The restaurant looks great, but it’s only as good as its food – and Matei’s food is very good,” said the hotel’s sales & marketing manager Kara Beecroft.
The Salt Cove’s menu is centred around hearty and high quality food: burgers, flatbreads and hanging kebabs.
Guests can enjoy eating in the restaurant, where the original 1930s ceiling has been restored, or sit on the spacious decking and enjoy the spectacular view.
Paul Scott, chef and co-owner of the River Café on the Tyne in North Shields, was invited for The Salt Cove’s opening night. “It’s great to see the opening of another great restaurant in the area,” he said. “In my opinion you can’t have too many eateries. Competition is healthy and more and more people will come to the coast because of the range and quality of the restaurants.”
Paul Whittaker, manager of Tynemouth Golf Club, also believes the owners’ investment will benefit other local businesses. “It’s got a great location and the whole package is going to encourage people to stay here. I hope they’ll also come to play a round of golf at our club.”
For David Stenhouse a return to The Park Hotel Tynemouth brought back memories of his wedding day 34 years ago.
“It was the place to go with a view you can’t buy,” he said. Eighty guests joined David and his bride Julia for their reception after their wedding at St Columba’s Church in North Shields. Their first dance was to Stevie Wonder’s song “Isn’t she lovely?”
“It’s fantastic to see the hotel looking so good and the restaurant is very, very impressive. I really hope it once again becomes the place to go around here,” said David.
For more information about The Salt Cove visit www.saltcove.co.uk