By Sara Marston
Located in the heart of Hamsterley Colliery, Santonio’s is a welcoming Italian and Mediterraneanrestaurant built around quality ingredients, warm hospitality and a genuine sense of community
My husband and I recently visited, and from the moment we arrived, the atmosphere felt relaxed and inviting. Santonio’s sources as many ingredients locally as possible, guided by the belief that the freshest produce, sourced close to home, creates the best dining experience.
We began with the grilled halloumi and sesame chicken. The halloumi was served on a bed of asparagus and finished with a drizzle of balsamic, which complemented the rich, salty cheese beautifully. The sesame chicken delivered the perfect balance of tangy and sweet. We could easily have eaten more, but decided to save room for our main courses.
I chose the Pasta Roma, a wonderfully indulgent combination of chicken, bacon, mushrooms and tomato, with vodka adding extra depth to a creamy garlic sauce. Yes, vodka in pasta, and it worked brilliantly.
My husband opted for the Pizza Vegetariana, a colourful and generously topped pizza with onions, mushrooms, sweetcorn, peppers and asparagus. It was fresh, full of flavour and proved that a vegetarian pizza can be every bit as satisfying as its meatier counterparts.
Despite being comfortably full, dessert was impossible to resist. We shared a lime cheesecake and a chocolate tart. Both were exceptional. The cheesecake was smooth and refreshing, while the tart was rich and chocolatey without becoming overly heavy. Together, they offered the perfect finish to our meal.
Santonio’s has a relaxed indoor dining area as well as outdoor seating, making it a lovely choice when the weather is on your side. There is also a private dining room available for functions and celebrations, while vegan and gluten-free options ensure that different dietary requirements are well catered for.
The drinks menu offers plenty of choice too, and on Fridays guests can enjoy two cocktails for £12.50, which is an excellent excuse to begin the weekend with friends.
Although we were delighted with our choices, we already have our eye on what to order next time. The 10oz sirloin steaks are regularly raved about, while the ‘nduja risotto looked incredible as it made its way past our table.
Santonio’s combines delicious food with attentive hospitality and a warm, unpretentious atmosphere. It is the kind of restaurant that makes you feel welcome from the moment you arrive and leaves you looking forward to your next visit. We certainly will not be waiting too long before returning.
For information, call 0120 765 5050 or visit their website, www.santonios.co.uk