Tamer hoping cuisine will be a ‘hidden’ gem
An Asian restaurant with a top chef at the helm has been added to the line-up for Sunderland’s Sheepfolds Stables as the development of the historic site presses ahead.
It’s been announced Hidden Lotus will open in the formercartshedbuildingthatwill face out to the River Wear at the Grade II-listed site, which is bringing a wave of food and drink businesses to the city.
At the helm will be skilled chef Tamer Hassan whose family relocated to Sunderland after running a successfulLondonrestaurantformore than 40 years.
The 36-year-old won series one of Gordon Ramsay’s F Word and has worked alongside world-renowned chefs Gordon Ramsay, Mark Sargent and Angela Harnett.
He’sthesecond-generation restaurateur in his family. His father ran Reubens of Baker Street before retiring and moving to Sunderland, where Tamer’s mother was born and raised.
Tamer, who graduated from Le Corden Bleu at 18, the youngest to do so at the time,
has worked in top restaurant Claridge’sandiscurrentlyhead chef at Gino’s in Newcastle.
He says Hidden Lotus will allow him to unleash his passion for Asian cuisine and promises ‘elegant plating with punchy flavours’.
Influenced by trendy London restaurants Nobu and Hakkasan, but with a friendly feel and an accessible price point,therestaurantwillserve small and large plates by evening, with sushi and light offering for lunchtimes and match days. Asian-inspired cocktails and sake will also be served, as well as a carefully-selected wine list.
It joins previously announcedbusinessesatthesite, which include:
Zinc,fromtheteambehind Michelin Guide restaurant Route in Newcastle, will open a restaurant serving seasonal food.
Speyside Distillers, an artisan distillery in Scotland’s Cairngorm Mountains, will open the city’s first Whisky Snug and cigar lounge.
Hairy Biker Si King is set to serve up a taste of North East heritage with his first standalone venture.
RESINN will be offering homeware, gardenware and gifts, as well as freshly brewed tea and coffee with an on-site state-of-the-art roastery.
Visitors can also look forward to an on-site microbrewery and main bar.
Once used to house working horses from the former North Eastern Railway Co, the stablesarebeingbroughtback tolifespectacularlybySunderland-based architecture and engineering firm Building Design Northern (BDN).
The stables are set to open in autumn with eight distinct spaces in total.
Tam said: “When I came and saw Sheepfolds Stables, I was like ‘wow, this is really, really special’. When you step into the place, there’s just a magic to it and the vision for the venue is absolutely fantastic. There’s such a clear focus onquality,ondeliveringaplace thatraisesthebarandprovides anamazingdiningexperience.
“We would like to deliver a venue that Sunderland can be proud of. We have ambitions of securing a Michelin Bib Gourmand Award. We really areaiminghigh,whichisbefitting of the quality of this development and of the ambition of the city itself.”