Darlington steakhouse The Flameroom, has A5 Wagyu on menu

Rahat Hussain, 22, opened The Flameroom on Bondgate on Saturday, April 4, bringing a new dining experience to the town and becoming one of the area’s youngest restaurant owners in the process.

The Darlington-born entrepreneur, who attended QE College, said he had dreamed of opening his own restaurant since the age of 10.

“It feels amazing to finally open,” he said. “I was a bit nervous at first because I’ve put so much into it, but it went really well. I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better.”

Since opening, Rahat says the response from the community has been “brilliant”, with the restaurant already proving popular among diners.

“We’ve been really busy, everyone is loving the food, and we’ve achieved a five-star food hygiene rating, which is a huge credit to my chef,” he added.

The menu features a range of premium dishes, including burrata bruschetta, glazed lamb chops, wagyu sliders, and a selection of prime steaks, burgers, mixed grills and the Flameroom parmo.

The restaurant is also setting itself apart by offering authentic Japanese A5 Wagyu, widely regarded as the highest grade of beef in the world, making it the only steakhouse in Darlington to do so.

Rahat added: “I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported me as a young entrepreneur. To see customers enjoying the restaurant means everything. My dream is now a reality.”