What to expect from Seaham's new Dolce Vita restaurant as it announces opening date

Expect Neapolitan pizza and fresh pasta with a view as one of Seaham’s newest additions gets ready to open its doors.

The team at the new Dolce Vita have announced they will be opening on Wednesday, April 29, after transforming the former The Armoury bar in North Terrace.

It’s seen a total transformation of the site, as shown in these artist’s impressions by designer Gerard Mcelvenny from Pulp Studios Design House, who also designed Sunderland venues such as Keel Tavern, Flower Cafe and Port of Call.

The new business will specialise in Neapolitan pizzas made in a specially-imported pizza oven from Italy, fresh pastas and Italian wines.

It’s being brought to the East Durham town by business partners and brothers in law, Italian chef Stefano Presot, from near Venice, and Sajan Arora, who was raised in Italy.

The family already has fish and chip shops elsewhere in the North East, but decided to take on a new challenge in Seaham.

Aastha Arora, who is also part of the business, said: “We were originally looking for a new fish and chip shop and looked at locations including Whitley Bay.

“Then we came to Seaham, and loved the street, but we noticed there was already a lot of fish and chip shops here. We all grew up in Italy and love Italian food, so decided to take on a new challenge. It’s hard work, but really exciting.”

Aastha’s husband Stefano has been back to Italy to study the art of Neapolitan pizza where it was originally created, in Naples, and earned qualifications in the speciality.

There will be a range of stone-baked pizzas on offer, with the traditional tomato base as well as white pizzas (without tomato). They will also be available for takeout.

Fresh pasta will also be a speciality at the site, which will open for lunches and evening service, with ingredients from a specialist Italian importer.

There will be 37 covers inside, as well as some seating outside for people to make the most of the prime spot overlooking the green.

It’s one in a number of new additions heading to North Terrace, with neighbour, Namaste, in the former Tide site, opening in the same week, on Monday, April 27.

The Indian restaurant is well-known for its locations in South Shields, as well as the new Seaburn site which opened last year.

Meanwhile, The Train Line, who’ve built up a firm following at Seaburn Metro Station, announced last year that they would also be opening in the street, with signage already in place.

They teased they will be taking the vinyls down on the windows soon.

Also in Seaham, the new Deli by Waves recently opened within the Seaham Waves sea glass shop.