In 1985, Krimo and Karen opened Krimo's Restaurant at Seaton Carew, the resort side of Hartlepool. They had £250, supported by 'bucketfuls of enthusiasm', and by the following year they were listed in the Michelin Guide and have been ever since.

Krimo's is a celebration of the cuisines of the Mediterranean and everything you ever associated with that wonderful combination, including the romantic and imaginative décor. For those of you who hitherto had perhaps associated Hartlepool with North Eastern dourness and its former MP, now Lord Mandelson, pleasant surprises are in store. The sun shines, there is a lively community spirit and the new Marina has widened the town's horizons.

But let's turn to more immediately important advantages, the wonderfully fresh fish and seafood readily available year round, the years of experience of Krimo and his loyal staff, and a fine location amongst the action on Hartlepool seafront. Taking lunch as an example, from amongst seven or so starters expect to find Thai fishcakes with a stimulating red coconut curry sauce, creamy garlic mushrooms flavoured with tarragon and served on a toasted brioche, or a prawn salad with seafood sauce.

A tasty Algerian lamb tagine is only one interpretation of this great traditional dish (you should try it with goat sometime), and a fish of the day course never fails to please. One of the real classics is beef bourguignon, served here with mushrooms, onions and red wine, or to the north Med for penne carbonara with bacon and cream.

The carte menu is an ever changing range of culinary delights that chase the seasons and the markets. Try the seared pigeon breast on a bed of braised red cabbage and apple, or pan fried chicken breast with tarragon in a wild mushroom sauce. Algerian boureks are filo pastry parcels with minced beef inside, excellent as tapas or starters. Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce could, perhaps, make for the ideal close.

On Sundays Krimo makes a bold step out of the Med and acknowledges local loyalties with the traditional roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, though warmer climes are never far away and there's no obligation to depart from what Krimo's is all about - interesting, well prepared and sourced dishes that speak of easy warmth and a range of cultures.

An early bird two course meal is served between 5.30-6.30pm Tuesday to Friday, and is extraordinarily good value. A set two course dinner follows, but it has to be said that it is within the à la carte that the true measure of what is offered at this attractive restaurant can be best enjoyed. Combine this with a wine list that draws largely from the same geographical sweep as the food, and a jolly, relaxed atmosphere and you can see how well deserved is their title of Winner of the 2009 Hartlepool Business Award for Tourism and Leisure.

Krimo is an excellent communicator - click on the attractive Website to catch up with their latest news and views.