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Firm favourites and new picks from NE1 For Bait? for Restaurant Week August 8th – 14th

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With just a couple of weeks to go until NE1’s Restaurant Week returns, we caught up with local foodie and blogger Steve Widdrington of NE1 For Bait? fame to see where he plans on heading.

The toon’s favorite foodie week is back for another time and I for one cannot wait! Now with over 100 restaurants to choose from, we are absolutely spoilt for choice. 

From firm favorites, new openings and venues I haven’t tried before, I’ll run through some of my favorite selections from this summer’s NE1 Restaurant Week to make your life easier. 

This year we’ve also got some exciting new additions to the food scene in Newcastle too like Hugo’s, Victors, Ayla and many more.

Firm Favorites:

Blackfriars: Dating back to 1239, the restaurant is packed full of history and originally served as the refectory for the 'Black Friars' of Newcastle. If you love eating delicious food in a medieval setting then this is the choice for you. When the main dishes are usually priced upwards of £19 each, 3 Courses at lunchtime for only £20 and 2 Courses in the evening for only £20 is an absolute steal!

What I’d order: Young Goats’ Cheese - Chicken ‘Kiev’ - Sticky Toffee Pudding

Offer: Enjoy 3 Courses at lunchtime for only £20 and 2 Courses in the evening for only £20.

Zucchini Pasta Bar: Newcastle’s best pasta (in my humble opinion). Since 2017 the guys here have been serving the freshest handmade pasta in a chilled setting with some top quality cocktails (I highly recommend the Amaretto and Cherry Slushy). Located on the 55 Degrees North roundabout, you can’t get anymore central. 

What I’d order: Deep Fried Chicken Bites - Pappardelle ‘6 Hour’ Beef Shin Ragu – Classic Tiramisu

Offer: Enjoy 2 Courses for only £10 or 3 Courses for only £15.


 

Khai Khai: Contemporary Indian cuisine that you need to try. This Michelin Guide 2022 venue offers up some beautiful flavours prepared with fire and smoke. Stunning décor, top notch service & a great atmosphere make this a top pick for date nights. Gordon Ramsay recently ate here while he was staying in Newcastle to film an upcoming show and he absolutely loved it! If it’s good enough for Gordon, it’s good enough for me!

What I’d order: Murgh Tikka - Old Delhi Butter Chicken

Offer: Choose one from each section for only £20 per person.

Square: Pizza pies served deep and square, their 48-hour dough is cooked in blue steel pans with caramelized cheese crusts, a crispy base, fluffy centre and the sauce always on top. Square is the first Detroit-style pizza venue in Newcastle, and they’re absolutely smashing it! It’s one of my top spots for a pizza in the toon. Every time I see pictures of the pizzas from this place it makes me instantly hungry – so photogenic and so, so tasty!

What I’d order: Pep Talk - Waffle Fries, Roasted Garlic Aioli Dip and SQ Garlic Strips 

Offers: Offer One (available ’til 5pm) £10 - Any slice, Waffle Fries, Dip and a choice of SQ Garlic Strips or a Kahuna Cookie; Offer Two £15 - Half pie, Waffle Fries, Dip and a choice of SQ Garlic Strips or a Kahuna Cookie.

My 2022 Bookings:

Route: A modern casual Bistro serving up some of Newcastle’s best small plates, the menu changes bi-weekly so there’s always something new for you to try.  All the dishes are cooked to order and designed to share so it’s great to go with a group of friends. I visited here for the first time a few months ago and absolutely loved it … that’s why it’s the top of my list on my 2022 restaurant week bookings.

What I’d order: Crispy Lambs Sweetbreads - Aged Rump of Hereford Beef - White Chocolate And Rose Panna Cotta

Offer: Enjoy 2 Courses for only £20.

My Delhi: The award winning Indian dining experience based on Clayton Street. You may recognize these guys from the TV as they’ve recently just taken part in Britain’s Top Takeaways on BBC Two and won the week they were competing in! I’m not surprised either as their Butter Chicken is to die for. 

What I’d order: Delhi Chicken Tikka - Railway Station Lamb Curry

Offers: Enjoy 3 Street Plates (no Rice included) or 1 Street Plate & 1 Roadside Stall Dish (served with Dum Pilau Rice) for only £15. Both options include a portion of Chef's Surprise Nibbles per table.

Hibou Blanc: Set in the stunning Sunlight Chambers, a Grade II listed building on the corner of the Bigg Market and High Bridge street. Hibou Blanc oozes old school style and glamour in their décor whilst serving the very best of local seasonal produce. It’s one of my go to restaurants for a special occasion in Newcastle because the service and food is always outstanding. 

What I’d order: Smoked Haddock Fishcake - Roast Leg of Yorkshire Lamb - Cherry and Almond Financier

Offers: Enjoy 2 Courses for only £15 or 3 Courses for only £20.

Pleased To Meet You: Another gem on High Bridge Street, PTMY is one of my favorite bars to visit on a night out as they have a brilliant gin selection and great music, but I’ve never tried the food from them before. I always see pictures of their culinary delights on Instagram which always looks delicious, so what better excuse to visit than sampling their restaurant week menu. 

What I’d order: Smoked Bourbon Lamb Ribs - Slow Roast Pork Belly - British Isle Cheeseboard

Offers: Enjoy 2 Courses for only £20.

I hope this has helped with your decision making in where to book for NE1 Restaurant Week. Wherever you book I hope you have the best time and most of all enjoy the food!

Don’t forget to follow NE1 For Bait? on Instagram and Facebook to see my reviews of my meals from NE1 Restaurant Week and more!

A massive thank you to Steve Widdrington from NE1 For Bait? for his tips on where to head for delicious eats during this summer’s Restaurant Week.

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