One of Tyneside most ambitious new leisure schemes is poised to launch, but it is business as usual while work gets underway.
The Fat Buddha site at Newcastle’s 55 Degrees North – the gateway into the city – is to have its lower level transformed into Antler, a high end Alpine themed restaurant and bar.
Work is about to begin, but fans of Asian food will still be able to enjoy their favourites with the upper level of the restaurant continuing to serve oriental cuisine.
And to highlight that fact it has now unveiled a whole host of new additions to its menu which will run throughout the spring and summer.
Day time specials – available between noon and 5pm – have been drawn from across the East, including a Korean barbeque pork platter, Hong Kong style king prawns and a whole host of new noodle and stir fry dishes.
The new menu also gives a nod to fusion cuisine with its Oriental Sticky Pig Burger and a Kimchi Grilled Chicken Burger.
Gary Hutchinson, Managing Director of Chrysalis Leisure which is developing the site, revealed that the new dishes will form part of the main menu at the Asian restaurant.
“This is a great opportunity for customers to give us their feedback on some of the new dishes and we welcome their input,” he said.
“We are working on a whole new menu for when all the work is complete so diners can really let us know which are their favourites.”
Mr Hutchinson’s company is investing more than £750,000 in the site which will see the upper level Fat Buddha become the New Buddha and the downstairs Antler– an alpine ski lodge inspired bar and restaurant.
Among the plans are the provision of an exclusive brand of Tank Beer and Alpine- themed home cooked food, along with the creation of an in-house bakery.
At the same time Antler will feature a regular programme of live entertainment in a rustic and authentic setting, which will also feature a heated, outdoor alpine garden which will be open year round.
“We have been delighted with the response so far to the plans and we are conscious how popular the Fat Buddha is which is why the site is retaining an Asian restaurant,” said Mr Hutchinson.
“At the same time Antler is obviously proving a very exciting concept in the city as we are already taking bookings for private events and celebrations.”
Anyone interested in the venue should contact conner@chrysalisleisure.com for more details.
Gary Hutchinson has long played an active part in the North East leisure scene.
During his time at SAFC he was responsible for bringing some of the biggest entertainers in the world to the region, including One Direction, Rihanna and Take That.