SGM Reviews: Bellinis Seaburn: “This Italian Has it ALL!”
By Amy Nicholls from the North East Eats blog. Read her previous reviews of: 808 Bar and Kitchen and Mexico 70,
Bellissimo! Fresh ingredients, generous portions and reasonable prices: this local Italian has it all.
Located on the outskirts of Sunderland, near the lovely seaside town of Seaburn, Bellinis is well worth the journey out of the city centre. If you are looking for a day out, as well as a place to eat, Seaburn offers lovely walks and quaint cafes for drinks, in addition to the lovely Bellinis for a fresh, filling Italian meal for lunch or tea.
We visited Bellinis on an evening, and upon walking into the restaurant, it was clear to see this was a place frequented by many. On a random Thursday night, all tables were filled with families and friends enjoying a catch up over some delicious food, creating a relaxing but vibrant atmosphere from the moment you walk through the door.
In spite of a busy, bustling restaurant, speed of service was to be commended with attentive staff ensuring our drinks were full, and our food brought fresh. Staff were polite and approachable and made you feel very welcome.
From Monday-Sunday, customers are notably offered a reduced price Happy Hour menu, meaning individual dishes are discounted, and a two course meal can be enjoyed for between £9.95 – £15.95 if dining before 18:45 weekdays, 17:45 Fridays and Saturdays, and all day Sunday.
With a vast array of choices, Bellinis offers everything you would expect to see on an Italian Restaurant’s menu: a plethora of pizza and pasta, in addition to risotto, chicken, steak and specials, meaning there is something for everyone, including half price portions for children.
We started our meal with a cheesy garlic bread topped with sticky, caramelised onions, mussels coated in a delicious creamy sauce that could be mopped up with crusty bread, and a special, sweet salad consisting of poached pears and a unique, flavoursome dressing.
Our main courses that followed were an easy decision: pizza and pasta – what else when visiting an Italian restaurant? The classic pepperoni pizza was a real crowd pleaser the dough was fresh and well-cooked. In addition to more traditional options, we also opted for a pizza calzone that was stuffed with meats and chilli and topped with a delicious arrabbiata sauce. Continuing to defy tradition, we also ordered the Cajun chicken pasta bake which was cheesy, well seasoned and stuffed full of succulent chicken – so full that my leftovers were boxed up and I was able to enjoy my pasta for a second time the following day for my lunch. Bargain!
The price, and quality of the food served, makes it easy to see why this restaurant is always so busy. To avoid disappointment, booking is recommended as it is clearly a popular place for family and friends to gather and celebrate, as well as an ideal place for a well-deserved date night. If you are craving that Italian food we all know and love, then booking a table at this Sunderland restaurant will ensure that craving is satisfied.
