A BRAND new seafood restaurant and hotel venue promises to cook up a storm and provide Darlington with a “refreshing” new experience.
Food fanatics in the town can thank owners Jack Bowles and Ellie Richmond who have dedicated their passion of seafood and wealth of hospitality experience into the new venture at Houndgate Townhouse.
The couple’s previous experience ranges from working at London restaurants alongside reviving a failing pub, renamed the Fox Hole pub, in Piercebridge, near Darlington.
They currently own the Foxhall Inn on the A66, near Scotch Corner, where they will continue to work alongside the Darlington town centre venue.
Opening Saltfish - the new Seafood and wine bar - was a no brainer for the couple due to the lack of fish-focused dining in the town.
“As far as Darlington is concerned, we felt that seafood was the natural choice because there doesn’t seem to be any choice in the area,” Mr Bowles said.
It is the couple’s first dive into the seafood sector, however they aren’t daunted by the prospect, and instead excited for the future. “We’ve got enough experience to understand and respect it,” Mr Bowles added.
Read more: Houndgate Townhouse, Darlington to return with Saltfish restaurant
The restaurant relies on local produce, from Bakerman in Darlington to Hodgson seafood in Hartlepool, which the owners says is part of their ethos.
An initial menu of fish pie, roast salt cod and grilled fish among other options has received rave reviews from the public in just the first week after opening.
Ms Richmond, who will work as a chef at the restaurant, said: “We are delighted with the response, and we couldn’t ask for more really. We’re not fully opened with the hotel yet but we wanted to concentrate on the restaurant and the food offering first.
“We want to make sure what we are offering is to the best of our ability.
“For us, consistency is absolutely key and as soon as the customer walks through the door then they get the same level of experience throughout the whole time their here.”
Ms Richmond grew up in the Darlington and Stokesley areas and went to school in Barnard Castle.
For the hotel side of the venue, the couple will be picking up from where the previous owners left off but will be working with a palette of new ideas.
The former owners closed the designer hotel, bar and restaurant in 2019 and the facility had been empty until renovation started earlier this year.
Ms Richmond and Mr Bowles have enlisted the help of business partner Abigail Makin, who will operate as acting genral manager for the business.
Mr Bowles added: “For the business to work, the restaurant is the bread and butter so that is where all the attention is, and if the hotel rooms are successful then that’s an added bonus.”
The couple’s passion for the new venture is clear to see, and they hope it will contribute to thriving Darlington town centre food scene.
Mr Bowles said: “Saltfish is something new and refreshing for Darlington, and the town is ready for it.
“The town has woken up in the last few years and there is so much optimism.”
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