Bellissimo!
"Tuscany is a modern sea-front Italian restaurant, located on East Parade, and part of a handful of establishments attempting to reverse Whitley Bay's fading seaside resort image.
Dark wood furnishings combined with exposed brickwork and large black and white artwork create an ambient and relaxing atmosphere, and the menu offers an extensive choice of pastas, pizzas and a la carte options - all reasonably priced, from which I selected the chicken and oven dried tomato salad (£5.25) to start followed by the chilli king prawns (£12.50).
My chicken salad comprised a good amount of marinated fillets served on rocket leaves with roast tomatoes and a tasty (chef's own) sweet chilli dip. The chilli king prawns arrived with seven jumbo prawns and sauteed with chilli, tomato, garlic and white wine. They were some of the juiciest prawns I had ever tasted and were served with a wonderfully fragrant basmati rice.
We left Tuscany pleasantly surprised at the high standard of food and service we had received. Could Whitley Bay really be becoming a sophisticated coastal destination again? If Tuscany's anything to go by then the answer is a resounding yes."
Accent Magazine, May 2007
City Scene
“A stylish new restaurant in Whitley Bay is opening this month offering classic Italian dishes with a funky British twist. Tuscany will be a 70-seater restaurant featuring solid oak furniture, exposed brick work and monochrome artwork hanging on the walls.
“The menu devised by head chef Richard Moore, will use local produce and comprise antipasto of cured meats to start, followed by Tuscan bean stew and all the usual Italian favourites, including pizza and pasta dishes.
“Opening its doors on March 12 the eatery will serve dinner seven days a week and lunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Owner David Townsley said: We think that Tuscany will be a welcome addition to the eating out scene on the coast and we hope that Tuscany’s stylish décor and great quality Italian food will tempt people to come from further a field to support the regeneration of the area.”
Accent magazine, March 2007
Glorious despite the rain
"There were grey skies and it was raining heavily when I ventured to Tuscany restaurant but I was determined to enjoy the Tuscan cuisine. What a great little find this place is.
The eaterie is in a great location, right on the seafront, and if you are lucky enough to get a window table like us, you can enjoy pleasant views of the sea, no matter what the weather.
Not wanting to fill up too soon, we chose a starter that my friend and I could share so opted for a crispy baked goat's cheese, which literally melted in our mouths. It was served with a tomato relish which proved the perfect accompaniment.
For mains I tucked into a pesto-stuffed chicken served with a creme fraiche sauce. The dish was well-cooked, tasty and I adored the light creamy sauce which sat well with the pesto.
When it came to desserts we chose pannacotta with raspberries and lemon polenta cake with poached plums. Both were superb but I think the cake wins in the favourites stakes.
Overall, Tuscany is a real treat. There was service with a smile, the food was excellent and the menu is well-priced."
The Evening Chronicle, 22 August 2008
Tastes of Tuscany at seaside restaurant
“The former head chef of a North East theatre is now cooking up a storm on the coast. Richard Moore, who used to run the kitchen at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal, has come up with an Italian menu with a “funky British twist” for Whitley Bay’s newest restaurant.
The 70-seat Tuscany restaurant, which opened on Monday creating 12 jobs, has undergone a £160,000 investment. Designed by Portland Interiors, the restaurant on East Parade features solid oak furniture, exposed brickwork and monochrome artwork depicting Italian life.
Meanwhile the menu features antipasto of cured meats to start, followed by Tuscan bean stew along with all the usual Italian favourites including pasta and pizza classics.
Tuscany owner David Townsley, a local entrepreneur who has run a number of catering outlets including Recipe 93, Rosso Sandwich Deli and Dave’s Deli in Newcastle, said: We think that Tuscany will be a welcome addition to the eating out scene on the coast.”
The Journal, 16 March 2007
To His Taste
“A chef who once cooked for Prince Charles has got a new job, thanks to reading the Evening Chronicle. Richard Moore is head chef at Whitley Bay’s new Italian restaurant Tuscany after spending several years as head chef at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal.
“Richard started work for the Theatre Royal in 2000. He spent six years as head chef and during this time cooked for Prince Charles when he visited to watch an RSC production. After sampling a selection of Richard’s canapés, Prince Charles asked to be introduced to the chef to compliment him.
“Richard said: “Prince Charles came and shook my hand. He told me how much he’d enjoyed the canapés and that’s a great compliment – my food is good enough for a future king!”
“Tuscany owner David Townsley advertised the position of head chef in the Evening Chronicle and after an initial interview Richard was offered the job. Tuscany opened this week offering an exciting blend of classic Italian dishes with a British twist sourcing produce from local suppliers and using fresh, seasonal ingredients wherever possible.”
The Evening Chronicle, 15 March 2007
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