New restaurant to open at award-winning Sunderland pub

The Dun Cow, in High Street West, is to launch its new catering offer next month.

It will be delivered by Juniper’s Pantry owner David Gill, who has been in charge of two delis in the city in the past, before taking over the running of the restaurant at The Cavalier, in Silksworth.

He also runs a deli and cafe from The Cavalier’s conservatory, and will now take over the catering at the Dun Cow, following smokehouse Longhorns’ departure last month.

Mr Gill said: “The Chop House at the Dun Cow is going to be predominantly a steak house with some great other locally sourced meats, seafood and vegetarian dishes.

“We will be offering a classic style pub food menu, bar snacks such as sausage rolls, scotch eggs and pork pies.

“We’ll also be doing Sunday lunches and providing an a la Carte menu.

“This is a new and exciting venture for us and we’re confident of bringing the success we’ve had at The Cavalier to what has quickly become one of the city’s most well-respected pubs.”

Mr Gill opened his first Junipers’ Pantry at the Barnes in 2011, and another in Sea Road, Fulwell, three years later.

He has been in the restaurant business since leaving school and has worked in various restaurants, many of them well-known, including Marco Pierre White’s Canteen in Chelsea and what was 21 Queen Street in Newcastle.

He has also worked at the two-Michelin starred Hotel Eden, near Vatican City in Rome.

In Sunderland, he has worked on events including the Queen’s visit in 2012.

Two weeks ago, it was announced that Camerons Brewery would no longer be running the Dun Cow, with new company Pub Culture to take over.

However, the brewery will continue to provide beer for the venue.

Under Camerons’ management, the Dun Cow won two National Pub Design Awards from the Campaign For Real Ale group (CAMRA).

The pub is seen as a key element of the music, arts and culture (MAC) quarter being created as part of Sunderland’s cultural regeneration, which is central to the city’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021.

Helen Green, director of the MAC’s adjacent Fire Station development, will be in charge of programming the Dun Cow’s versatile upstairs venue.

She said: “We’re delighted to welcome such a well-known and respected Sunderland company to the Dun Cow, and we’re sure our new food offering will be as popular as our wide range of drinks.

“We have created a special warm and welcoming atmosphere at the Dun Cow and we’re sure the Juniper’s Pantry team will add to its popularity and reputation.”