Sonny's Italia

In the burgeoning North East new restaurants have been appearing with encouraging regularity and one of the well established in line is Sonny's Italia in Front Street at Tynemouth. From its opening in 2000 it has never looked back and is now the premier Italian restaurant in the area.

Tynemouth is worth a visit for other reasons too. A bustling, pretty coastal market village it is very typical of the characterful communities on the north east coast, and has an abundance of features that are shared by the steady stream of tourists who like their attractions au naturelle. There is no room for pretence in the Geordie approach to life.

Serving vibrant and exciting modern and classical Italian/Mediterranean food and drink in the right sort of atmosphere, Riviera style, all at very affordable prices, Sonny's is the place to be.

Ken and his wife Deborah, who believe that a passion for food equates to an appetite for life, ensure that Sonny's is always up to the mark and their frequent visits to the Italian and French Riviera enable them to return to Tynemouth with the latest influences which are then re-created alongside the old classical favourites that have withstood the test of time. Ken's abilities as a chef are well known, and with 25 years of talent and dedication behind him he has broadened his contact with an appreciative public to include involvement on both sides of the service hatch.

Italian food is about happiness and freedom from care, reflected at Sonny's by a happy hour during the week from 17.00 to 19.00, and on Saturday lunchtime. The happy hour on Sunday is stretched to run from 12.00 to 22.30, giving ample opportunity for the enjoyment of a succulent carved Roast to honour the British tradition.

An ever changing menu could call on starters from the Mediterranean of a Tuscan bean and pasta soup, minestrone, and a collage of various mushrooms baked in Gorgonzola cream with basil to complete an open herb pancake. The classic antipasto mare monte combines the best of both meat and seafood with salads and dressings and on days when they're available fresh mussels with home baked bread make a simple but glorious nod to the nearby sea.

One of the things I enjoy about Italian food is the ability to sneak in extra dishes, by which I really mean an extra course and a Caesar salad, whilst described as a side plate comes under that heading. Those sad people who don't like anchovies have the option.

That magic word 'classic' always stirs the interest, be it related to cars, music, women even, but especially to dishes of another sort. Think anatra cacciatore con gamberoni, a duck leg pot roast in Dubonnet and rosemary on filo crust with grilled prawns; tasty meat balls casseroled in onions, mushrooms and wine bologna on spaghetti, or king prawns, Parma ham sautéed in Pernod, cream and basil with aromatic risotto rice.

No Italian menu is complete without ample attention paid to pasta and pizza. From the latter expect to find Sonny's fisherman's friend, butterfly sardines in garlic prawns, spiced potatoes and poached egg con aglio, or an Oriental Med bringing together a compote of shredded duck, prawns, scallions, sesame, soy, sweet pepper chilli relish on a fresh mozzarella pizza dough. From the pasta I would look no further than the bolognese, a classic indeed and rich with vino rosso.

Italian restaurants have a reputation for stocking the wines of their cuisine and who can blame them? The wine of that country has improved enormously and a reputation for producing fiery and rather sticky liqueurs, whilst still well maintained, has been overtaken by the quality of their day to day wines. Few of their wines break the £30 mark, the quality is sound, and for those who like to be never far away from an exotic cocktail, this is for you.

Their Website tells you much more about this attractive and well run restaurant.