A new restaurant is set to open in East Lancashire this weekend and the owner has ambitious plans to win Michelin stars.
Solea Restaurant and Wine Bar, in Elton Road, Belthorn, is set to open its doors on Sunday, November 20.
Owner, Mark Taylor, said it has been a “dream” of his to own his own restaurant after working in kitchens for around 13 years.
Mark, from Darwen, said: “I didn’t want to work for someone else forever, I wanted a place of my own.
“It’s been a dream of mine ever since I started working in the kitchen at around the age of 19.”
The restaurant has taken over the former Italian restaurant, Marco Polo, which closed in October, and before that it stood as the Pack Horse pub.
While this is a new restaurant Mark wanted to remember its history in its name as the word ‘Solea’ is Latin for horse shoe, a small tribute to the former pub and the site’s history.
The restaurant will be serving classic and modern international small dishes “with a twist”, seasonal main courses and, coming in January 2023, traditional wood fired Italian pizza.
Mark has culinary experience at The Dog Inn in Belthorn, Smokies in Darwen, The Bank Bar and Restaurant in Darwen to name a few, and has also worked in France and Spain to develop his skills.
Lobster ravioli, Lancashire cheese pie, garlic mushrooms and his “famous” Sunday roast are just some of the items that will be on the menu.
Mark said: “I am pretty famous for my roasts. When I worked at the Dog Inn and we could easily serve 200 people a day.”
The restaurant also has a designated drinking area for those hoping to just come for a drink or enjoy a tipple after their meal.
Mark said: “The Pack Horse had a really big drinking area for the locals but during the Marco Polo renovations this was removed.
“I want to try and bring this back. There is a place where locals can come and enjoy a bottle of wine and a few drinks they don’t have to get something to eat if they don’t want to.”
While the business is only new, Mark already has ambitious plans for the restaurant to win a Michelin star.
He said: “I want to try and become a Michelin star restaurant in the future. Obviously we are just setting up now and need to get settled.
“Hopefully in the future the rosettes and Michelin stars will be coming through the door.
Mark says he “works harder than anyone else” to achieve his dreams.
He said: “I truly work harder than anywhere else to get to where I want to be."
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