Sneak peek and opening date for Sunderland's new No 32 pizza and cocktails
It’s set to be one of the most-anticipated openings of the year.
“People keep looking in through the windows and there seems to be a lot of interest in us opening,” say the owners of two new restaurants on the banks of the Wear.
No 32 Pizza & Cocktails and Riverside Cafe are taking over two large ground floor units in The Beam, on the edge of Keel Crossing.
Both are being brought to the city by business partners Vittorio Farigu and Tam Hassan, whose existing restaurants, Vito’s and Ember, respectively, are at the other end of the new bridge at Sheepfolds Stables.
The latter are two of the most popular restaurants in the city, but while these new restaurants have subtle nods to their Sheepfolds counterparts, they very much have their identity.
No 32 is the first to open its doors, opening on Wednesday, July 8, with bookings going live on July 1.
We went along as the finishing touches were being made and Vito said it’s great to see it all coming together.
The unit has been empty since The Beam opened on the old Vaux site in 2019, but is being given vibrant new life, with its colour scheme inspired by the tropical hues of the Calathea plant and a disco ball-style mirrored bar.
“We’re bringing something different with this concept and both restaurants have their own identity, that’s different to Vito’s and Ember,” explained Vito.
Named after the 32 hours proof it takes from the first stages of fermentation to making the perfect Neapolitan pizza base, No 32 is the largest of the two new sites, seating 110 people and also features a dedicated lounge area for cocktails.
On the menu, there will be a choice of 10 stone-baked pizza options, which will change regularly, as well as small plates, sides and desserts.
Dominating the new open-plan kitchen is a 1.5tonne pizza oven, specially imported from Naples, the birthplace of Neapolitan pizza.
Some of the small plates have been developed in the Sheepfolds Stables restaurants and there will be some classic favourites, like tiramisu.
“Pizza is Italian, but this isn’t an Italian restaurant, so there’s no boundaries with the ingredients and side plates, and there will be some unusual options on there,” said Vito.
“We really want to push the flavour profile, to offer dishes you won’t find anywhere else,” added Tam.
Once No 32 opens, it’s going to mean a lot of scootering back and forth from Sheepfolds to The Beam for the restaurateurs as they juggle the sites, but Tam says they’re excited about adding to Sunderland’s burgeoning food and drink scene.
“One of the most important things for us is all our customers who have been with us since day one, it’s thanks to them we’ve been able to open these two new restaurants,” added Tam.
The two new sites have created 100 new jobs, adding to the 100 people already employed by Ember and Vito’s.
Over the past few months, they’ve been overstaffing the Sheepfolds sites to give new staff the experience.
“It’s helped them to understand our systems, general management and expectations, so it’s been a good foundation for the new staff,” explained Tam.
As well a bringing new jobs to the city, the duo sites also offer more variety for city centre workers, shoppers and visitors to the city, with nearby additions such as the Eye Hospital set to bring an increase in footfall and a boost to the city centre economy.
“It’s been proven at Sheepfolds that the more openings and the better the offer, the more people will come. Everyone does well,” said Tam
With its views over the River Wear, on the other side of The Beam, Riverside Cafe will have more of a breakfast and brunch through to early evening offering.
It will open in a couple of months, once No 32 has established its flow.
*From July 8, No 32 Pizza & Cocktails will be open Monday to Thursday from 12pm to 10pm and Friday and Saturday from 12pm to midnight.