SUNDERLAND Restaurant Week returns this weekend (Sept 14) bringing with it a stamp of approval which could see one lucky diner receiving £350 worth of prizes.
The popular event – which runs until 22 September – sees scores of cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars offering a range of discounted deals.
And along with being able to dine at some of the city’s newest eateries along with visiting old favourites, there’s the added incentive of taking part in the event’s passport scheme.
Organisers Sunderland BID – which this time round is partnering with Tyne and Wear Metro operator, Nexus – are encouraging those who visit restaurants to pick up a Foodie passport.
Anyone who collects five stamps throughout the week – and their receipts – will then be entered into a prize draw, with the winner receiving a £300 Sunderland Gift Card, which can be spent in around 200 different outlets, as well as a £50 Tyne and Wear Metro Pop Pay As You Go card.
Participants need to take a photograph of their full passport and their receipts – as well as any photos of the food they had if they’ve taken them – and email them with their details to info@sunderlandbid.co.uk.
The prize is an added bonus to an exciting week where there are more outlets taking part than ever before.
Among the latest participants to sign up are The Calabash Tree and Deep North at the Sheepfold Stables as well as Vito’s Osteria, and Davey’s Mexicano and Soju & Gogi which will be joining other traders taking part at STACK Seaburn.
Sunderland Restaurant Week also provides an opportunity to return to regular supporters – or even visit them for the first time.
This includes Asiana, Angelo’s, Tarantino’s, Spent Grain, Rumour Has It and Port of Call, to name but a few.
All the participating restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars offer £10, £15 or £20 deals, with information – and the vouchers – available at www.sunderlandbid.co.uk/restaurant-week
Sharon Appleby, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID, said the variety of cuisines on offer was the best to date.
“The city really has a vibrant dining scene and the number and variety of participants in Sunderland Restaurant Week really showcase that,” she said.
“There’s everything from Caribbean to Italian, Mexican to Korean, Indian and the best of British – it’s an absolutely incredible mix with something for everyone.
“It’s exciting to have so many outlets from the Sheepfolds Stables taking part and there’s the added incentive that children go free on the Metro, so everyone can make it a real family day out.”