A NEW team has taken the reins at a Barnard Castle eaterie and spent the last few weeks transforming the popular cafe.
Partners Robert Dunbar and Simon Adamson are now running No8 The Bank.
In addition to a new menu, they have given the premises a new look and a new name, The Corner Bistro.
Mr Adamson: “We both loved Barnard Castle when we first came here and when the opportunity came up, we grabbed it with both hands.
“We wanted to change the name of the cafe, to reflect the changes we’ve made.”
The couple, who moved to Boldron five years ago and were featured in the Teesdale Mercury last month with their Vintage Ice Cream Tricycle, have enjoyed success with their range of unusual outside catering vehicles. But they have been looking for a permanent site for some time.
As well as continuing with the dementia friendly cafe meetings on alternative Friday afternoons, they have expanded what is on offer with a bistro menu as well as homemade cakes, scones and light bites.
Mr Dunbar was head chef at the George Hotel, in Piercebridge, and an executive chef for Fujitsu. He has created a new menu and plans to offer steak and wine evenings on Friday and Saturdays, as well as Sunday lunches.
Mr Adamson added: “We’ve opened up the original fireplace with a dining area where people can have coffee and cakes or scones, read a paper or work on their laptop but also have a more formal dining room for the bistro menu. We’ll also be offering a select range of craft ales. We wanted to put our stamp on the place but we want to keep continuity for previous customers and they can be assured all the staff remain the same.”
Alfresco dining will also still be on offer and Mr Dunbar has been working hard on developing a range of homemade ice creams and said: “We may have the tricycle outside in the summer as an added extra.”
While Mr Dunbar will be in charge of the kitchen, Mr Adamson will oversee the front of house. Mr Adamson added: “We’re both pretty hands on and already we’ve had such a good response from our neighbours and we we’re looking forward to welcoming more people in.”
