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hand picked restaurants

The Hide chain of cafés, bars, and grills pleases customers very effectively in the north east, and west Yorkshire. Their delicious, varied cuisine, contemporary interiors, informal yet attentive service, and relaxing atmospheres appeal to most people visiting a Hide.

The Durham outlet can be found on the road to what is sometimes referred to as the most magnificent cathedral in the world. Stop by for a meal, or coffee and a light snack while you experience the city's many fabulous attractions.

The café offers such delights as char-grilled 6oz rib eye sandwiches, pizza, pasta, burgers, and mezze platters, while the grill menu caters for those wanting something more substantial.

Precede a main course of seared leg of lamb, puy lentil, slow roast tomatoes and jús, with aromatic duck pancakes with hoi sin, or Thai beef salad. Other choices comprise a 10oz sirloin hand-cut local steak, Anglesey sea bass fillets, free-range chicken breast, gnocchi pasta, pancetta and sage sauce, and tarragon and chive crêpes stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese.

The chocolate brownie with pouring cream delights those with a sweet tooth.

Mango might be a popular tropical fruit in South East Asia but this relatively new namesake restaurant aspires to serve Seaham residents some well-known Indian dishes with exciting new flavours. With stunning views out across the North Sea, the cooking here prefers to redefine all that you know about Indian cuisine, so there could be a tandoori chicken chat and fried fish fillets marinated in spices.

You might see the usual vindaloo, dhansak, chettinad, jalfrezi and makhani on the menu but certain dishes such as bardarmi lamb cooked in a special curry sauce with coriander and herbs provide a touch of innovation. Cooking in a tandoor is considered healthy and more so if prime cuts of meat are marinated and seasoned with fresh herbs so that flavours are pronounced, which gives you an excellent reason to try the mixed grill of chicken wings, tikka, lamb chops and grilled prawns.

Frankie and Benny's combine classic American and Italian in both style and cuisine. They specialise in home style cooking 'just like Mamma used to make it'. This is a great place to take the entire family and represents excellent value for money. The restaurant and bar is suitable for any occasion, whether it's a leisurely lunch, a family meal or a fantastic evening with friends - they make sure you have a wonderful time.

Walking into the restaurant is like stepping back into 1950s New York, from the clatter and chatter of the open kitchen to the bottle lined bar. Walls with black and white family photographs showing life in Brooklyn's 'Little Italy' surround cosy booth seating and tables. Combined with the classic music of the fifties, a mix of American swing and beat, they definitely provide a fun and friendly atmosphere for all to enjoy.

Frankie and Benny's offers starters, main courses and delicious desserts, and favourites include char-grilled burgers, pizzas, pastas, steaks and house specialities such as chicken parmigiana, BBQ ribs, lamb shank and much more. The bar serves a wide range of beers, wines, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks.

Start with sticky wings, crispy coated chicken strips, tiger prawn skewer or Frankie's fried calamari and if you are dining in a group choose the giant sampler platter. The pastas, calzone and pizzas are all made freshly on order. An interesting dish on the menu is a the Boston 7 speciality pizza fully loaded with slices of pork meatballs, spicy pepperoni, ham, crispy bacon, chicken, peppers and red onion, served on a BBQ sauce base. They also serve a variety of sandwiches and burgers throughout the day.

A good value lunch menu is available on weekdays from 11am until 5pm offering a range of popular dishes from the main carte with one course at £5.95, two courses at £7.95 and three courses at £8.95.

For children up to the age of eleven, an all-inclusive menu features a selection of main courses, desserts and drinks starting at £3.95. As an added treat, they'll also receive an activity pack to entertain them whilst you eat.

Enjoy an American Italian meal at Frankie and Benny's with freshly prepared food and warm hospitality that makes you feel right at home.

Rockliffe Hall marks the addition of another resort destination in the north of England with all the trappings of five star comforts, a championship golf course and one of the largest spas in the country. Post tee-off it's time to don those smart casuals and head to The Clubhouse for a meal.

Traditional British cooking is their forte but well aimed shafts of innovation bring welcome relief to jaded palates; think smoked haddock with crisp hen's egg and homemade potted seafood pie with garden vegetables and new potatoes. You'd also notice some robust flavouring coming through main courses such as rare breed pork loin with apple mash, root vegetables, black pudding and Muscat raisin jus. For dessert a combination of white chocolate and raspberry is truly sharp and indulgent and what better way to enjoy this tart than with spoonfuls of coconut ice cream.

Rockliffe Hall hopes to add a further selection of eight meeting rooms to the existing two suites in a bid to woo more business visitors who can then mingle commerce and pleasure within its pleasant, convivial setting.