Newcastle Eats' One-A-Day Guide to NE1 Restaurant Week
In the search for a wide range of opinions and guides to NE1's Restaurant Week, we've asked three amazing local food bloggers to offer their thoughts and recommendations in the lead-up to the event.
Let's get right onto the second in this range, our Guest Blog from Newcastle Eats (http://newcastleeats.co.uk/), giving his recommendations for a restaurant a day this Restaurant Week!
As Restaurant Week returns to celebrate a fifth year in the city, it’s bigger than ever this year with almost 100 restaurants taking part. Make it a big one this time, and see if you can manage one offer every day. You might want to take Monday off and start a diet after that…
Here’s my pick of the best deals from Monday through Sunday:
The Herb Garden
Start the week off casually, you don’t even need to book this offer though it’s always popular so arrive early! The Herb Garden is of course, best known for it’s pizzas, so enjoy one of their creations with a glass of Prosecco for only a tenner. I like the salty caper, olive and anchovy affair, or try a meaty pepperoni, prosciutto, and bresaola pizza. It’s all perfectly Instagram-able, so if you haven’t been yet - well now you’ve got the perfect excuse.
Arch 8, Westgate Road, NE1 1SA
Get this offer: https://www.getintonewcastle.co.uk/offers/the-herb-garden/pizza-and-prosecco-10
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21
As part-founders of Newcastle Restaurant Week (OK, there might have been some inspiration from New York City’s own), 21 has taken part since the beginning way back in 2011.
21 is one of, if not Newcastle’s premier bistro restaurant, and Restaurant Week is a great way to make what can otherwise be a bit of a “special occasion” restaurant a little more accessible. You’ll rarely get the chance to enjoy dishes of such quality for the price - so lap up the fab food, professional service, and premium feel of the newly refurbished benchmark in Newcastle dining. It is always memorable.
It does, however, get booked up quickly, so make your reservations ASAP.
What I’d order: mega Cheesy Souffle, Duck Confit, followed by the summery Meringue Dessert.
Trinity Gardens, NE1 2HH
Get this offer: https://www.getintonewcastle.co.uk/offers/21/2-courses-15-97
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The Bottle Shop
Known as much for their great beer curation as their well executed out pub food, get two courses and a pint of craft beer for £15 at The Bottle Shop.
If you don’t know your IPA from your saison, ask one of the very knowledgable staff for a little guidance. It’s a really laid-back kinda place, and their menu for Restaurant Week menu offers pub classics - so try the lamb ragout to start, followed by a whopping fish finger sandwich, or a burger - you didn’t think you could go all week without a burger, did you? while you enjoy some more great beers.
Waterloo Square, NE1 4DP
Get this offer: https://www.getintonewcastle.co.uk/offers/the-bottle-shop-bar-and-kitchen/2-courses-plus-a-selected-drink-for-15
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Lane7
If you haven’t been to Lane7 yet, three courses for ten pounds gives you good reason to eat, drink, and bowl and have a proper night out in this playground for grown-ups.
Their new and hyper-competitive “Racing Rig” is just ridiculous fun, so gather up your work friends or colleagues and see who is the fastest round the track. Of course the food is delicious, but the real fun comes from beating everyone at table tennis, getting a turkey, or cringing in the karaoke room after a couple too many glasses of wine.
What I’d order: Shotgun Riblets, Chilli Dog, Ice Cream with Cinnamon Doughnuts.
80-90 St. James Boulevard, NE1 4BN
Get this offer: https://www.getintonewcastle.co.uk/offers/lane7/3-courses-10
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The Earl of Pitt Street
Up in what used to be the old Greyhound pub, Mark Lagun, formerly of old Restaurant Week favourite, Electric East, has turned an old dog into a classy little pub with great food to match.
There’s always going to be pub classics on the menu, but anything with a hint of Asia will definitely be worth your time.The khao soi (a Burmese noodle dish) sounds delicious, as will be their sweet potato and spinach curry.
What I’d order: Tiger Prawn Salad, Steak with Truffle Butter, Sticky Toffee Pudding.
70 Pitt Street, NE4 5ST
Get this offer: https://www.getintonewcastle.co.uk/offers/the-earl-of-pitt-street/2-courses-15-101
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Coop Chicken House
Restaurant Week is the perfect excuse to celebrate some independent venues you mightn’t have otherwise tried - Coop is like that other famous grilled chicken place, but better.
Head here for some pre-drinks food - order half a chicken and 2 sides (go for the BBQ beans and sweet potato fries) for a mere tenner. Think messy, get stuck in food that’ll make you feel good, and it’ll definitely make you want to come back for more.
25 Collingwood Street, NE1 1JE
Get this offer: https://www.getintonewcastle.co.uk/offers/coop-chicken-house/10-offer
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Saltwater Fish Company
For Sunday, head to Fenwick for some light shopping, and take a load off at one of the best places to get seafood in Newcastle. Like the swanky food hall itself, the food is smart, classy, and simple. If you’re not tempted by the grand fruits de mer or fresh Lindisfarne oysters, three courses for £15 is the perfect way to sample a little more of what this fantastic little casual restaurant is capable of.
What I’d order: fresh-as-you-like Ceviche, Saltimbocca, dreamy Lemon Tart.
Fenwick Food Hall, NE99 1AR
Get this offer: https://www.getintonewcastle.co.uk/offers/saltwater-fish-company/2-courses-10-3-courses-15-13
Thanks to Newcastle Eats for that! If you want to read more, visit www.newcastleeats.co.uk, or follow @newcastle_eats on Twitter.
