“When I first visited, I just fell in love with the view. It’s the best in town,” says the owner of a new restaurant that’s aiming to make the most of its riverside location.

The view is so good at the city’s newest restaurant that it’s named Bella Vista (beautiful view in Italian) in its honour.

Bella Vista owner Pascal Riccio, left, with chefs Antonio Catoni and Simone Moi. | Sunderland Echo

placeholder image — Bella Vista owner Pascal Riccio, left, with chefs Antonio Catoni and Simone Moi. | Sunderland Echo

A new Italian restaurant for the city, with an Italian owner and chefs, Bella Vista has opened in the former Knowledge site, which closed in January.

Housed within the Boars Head in the East End, it’s a site that’s full of history and is the second oldest pub in Sunderland, first opening in 1724 to serve the bustling port and communities nearby, operating as Masons Arms and Providence Tavern over the centuries.

Its location on the side of the Wear, looking up to Wearmouth Bridge and down past the port as it meanders out to sea, means it has one of the best views in the city and a new enclosed terrace makes the most of it at the new business.

Some of the pasta and pizza options available at Bella Vista | Sunderland Echo

Bella Vista owner Pascal Riccio says people can expect authentic Italian cuisine at the new venture, which has created five new jobs.

“There’s a lot of activity happening in Sunderland and I really wanted to invest here,” said Pascal. “We had our opening night at the weekend and it went well. A lot of people still don’t know we’re here but we’re looking forward to word getting out there and our first Sunday lunch this weekend for Father’s Day.”

The menu includes Italian classics, with starters such as bruschetta, cozze (mussels) and caprese salad. Pizzas and pastas start from £8.95, with gluten-free available on request, and there’s also a range of risotto, chicken and fish, steaks and burger dishes, as well as Sunday lunch.

Bella Vista also runs as a bar with bar snacks available for those not wanting a full meal.

Bella Vista at The Boar's Head in High Street East | Sunderland Echo

Moving forward, the team is also looking to do steak nights, wine tasting, live music and more.

Landlord Tony Kenny has owned the building, which also has serviced apartments upstairs, for the past 13 years and led a major restoration project on the site to bring it back to its former glory.

A member of the Sunderland Antiquarian Society, the businessman is passionate about local history and especially the rich East End heritage.

“I feel like the East End is neglected,” he said. “It has so much history, so many interesting stories and buildings, yet some people in Sunderland have never been down here.”

Landlord Tony Kenny has hung a banner from the new enclosed terrace | Sunderland Echo

In a bid to attract more people to one of Sunderland’s oldest areas, which includes attractions such as 17nineteen, North East Maritime Heritage and the Donnison School, Tony has hung a banner on the new terrace, visible from the National Glass Centre, which reads: “Explore Old Sunderland.”

“The East End is still a hidden gem and I want all of the North East to know about it,” he said.

Tony has also recently purchased another old East End gem, The Clarendon, and he’ll be unveiling his plans for that soon.

*Bella Vista at the Boars Head, High Street East, is open 5pm-9pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 12pm to 9pm Saturdays and Sundays. Dishes will also be available on delivery platforms.