Popular European brand Doppio Malto has created a little corner of Italy at the Metrocentre where its first restaurant in the country is set to prove a hit with its 'kitchen brewery' mix of pasta, pizza and beer.
The company, which has grown rapidly throughout its native Italy in recent years, currently has just one other UK outlet - in Glasgow - and has picked the Gateshead shopping centre as the location for its move into England, which it calls a 'milestone' moment in the expansion of its food and drink range.
And local families keen to try out the authentic Italian cuisine and range of 15 house craft beers on offer at the restaurant - whose motto translates as "happy place" - can take advantage of an introductory offer this February including free food for children.
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Doppio Malto's menu offers more than the Italian staples of fresh pastas and pizzas with such additions as burgers and BBQ meats, cooked to order on a grill using vegetable charcoals which is said to help retain juices and maximise flavour.
Its signature dishes include a 'Pizza croccante', which involves 36 hours of natural leavening for the dough then frying pizza slices before giving them a topping, and a Birramisu dessert which is a take on tiramisu with biscuits soaked in Old Jack beer and chocolate flakes.
While the Metrocentre branch, in the centre's Qube, is one of Doppio Malto's first over here, the company has big plans with a goal to open a whopping 100 restaurants in total across the UK, with Edinburgh and Leeds set to follow next.
Giovanni Porcu, chief executive officer and and founder of Doppio Malto, said of the Metrocentre: "This is a significant milestone for Doppio Malto - our second foray into the UK since we opened our first restaurant in Italy in 2016.
"We are incredibly proud to be in a position of growth despite a tough time for hospitality."
He added, “At the very heart of Doppio Malto is our motto 'un posto felice' - a 'happy place'.
"Everything is designed around feeling good - from the food and beer to the service and physical space and we are so excited to bring this unique concept to Gateshead Metrocentre.”
Ben Cox of Sovereign Centros, senior asset manager for the Metrocentre, called it a " fantastic addition" in what he said is set to be an exciting year for the shopping centre.
Doppio Malto is open daily from noon (11.30am on Saturdays) until midnight from Sunday to Thursday and until 1am on Friday and Saturday.
Its current offer, running until February 17, includes a free child's meal with dining families; half-price 'rooster' dishes for £8 and a free second beer.
For more information about the restaurant see here.
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