Inside new Dolce Vita restaurant that's serving up an authentic taste of Italy in Seaham

A new restaurant which champions the sweet life has joined a popular strip of independents in Seaham.

Dolce Vita opened at the end of April after a major transformation of the former Armoury bar in North Terrace.

It’s been brought to the East Durham town by business partners and family members, chef Stefano Presot, his wife Aastha Arora and her brother Sajan Arora, who were all raised in Italy.

The trio all have a background in hospitality, but this is their first Italian restaurant and they say they’re enjoying dishing up some authentic Italian cooking on the Durham coast.

“Pizza is all about the dough and it took me a year to find the perfect one,” says chef Stefano who trained in Naples. “Our pizzas are the traditional Neapolitan style, with a very soft and crispy base. We use authentic Italian ingredients for the toppings, which are imported by a specialist Italian supplier.”

Pizza dough is prepped daily at the restaurant from a 24hour ferment and then cooked for 90 seconds in the Italian-made Moretti Forni pizza oven.

“We’ve had good feedback on the pizzas so far,” said Stefano. “With some nice and kind reviews. I have had to add a garlic pizza to the menu though as we’ve learnt people really like garlic here!

“Pasta has been popular too and we make all dishes with fresh, egg pasta. I’m really passionate about authentic Italian food - so I’m really enjoying doing it.”

The business partners enlisted the help of Gerard Mcelvenny from Pulp Studios Design House for the design of the restaurant, who also designed Sunderland venues such as Keel Tavern, Flower Cafe and Port of Call.

Aastha said: “We’ve only been open three weeks and weekends have been busy. Last weekend we were fully booked, which is great.

“Lunch is not so busy, but we’re going to do offers to remind people that we’re open for lunch too, such as any pizza or pasta and a soft drink for £14.90.

“We’ve already had return customers in those three weeks, which is great and we think all of our customers so far have been from Seaham, so it’s good to know that the local people are enjoying it ahead of the tourist season.”

Seaham has seen a wave of food and drink openings in recent weeks.

Next door to Dolce Vita, Namaste has opened after building a following for its Indian food at locations including Seaburn, South Shields and Gateshead.

Another Seaburn spot branching into North Terrace is cakes and desserts shop The Train Line, which has an original branch at Seaburn Metro Station.

Elsewhere in Seaham, By the Waves deli recently opened within the existing Seaham Waves sea glass shop at the bottom of Church Street.

*Dolce Vita, North Terrace, Seaham, is open 12pm to 9pm six days a week. Closed Tuesdays.

The team has two job vacancies, one for an experienced front of house role and the other for a kitchen member who’s passionate about food and wants to learn.

Anyone interested can ring Sajan on 07848 274296.