Newcastle Eats' Top Independent Picks for NE1's Newcastle Restaurant Week
With less than two weeks to go until NE1's Newcastle Restaurant Week, we caught up with local foodie blogger Jeff Lyall of Newcastle Eats fame who is shining a light on the amazing independent restaurants taking part this January by eating out at an indie venue almost every day of the week.
The last few years have been lousy for the entire hospitality industry, making the tough period following Christmas and New Year more important than ever.
Step forward NE1's Newcastle Restaurant Week, launching on the 16th January through to the 22nd with more than 115 of the city's restaurants taking part. So there’s no excuse not to offer your support to some of Newcastle’s best indie restaurants at what is usually a quiet time for the trade.
With financial uncertainty affecting us all, the week marks a great way to visit your local restaurants in the most affordable way, too. Here are my picks of the best offers this year.
Image courtesy of Thali Tray & Bealim House
Monday: Lunch at Thali Tray @ Bealim House
Offer: 2 Courses £15
Recently relocated to Bealim House, Thali Tray is a great casual dining concept offering a couple of authentic curries from around the world, with bread and rice, thali style. Whatever you go for is gonna be great, from the spicy Goan to the equally strong veggie or vegan choices. If you’ve never tried a thali and want something a little different to a typical old-school Indian restaurant, now’s your chance.
I’ll be having: Broken Corn Bhajiya - Goan Thali Tray (Pork Belly Vindaloo, Chicken Xacuti, Rice & Naan)
Tuesday: Dinner at Horticulture
Offer: £15 Offer, £20 Offer
Sporting a recently refreshed kitchen team, Horticulture has always punched above its weight, given that it is cocktails that will spring to most people’s minds when thinking of the trendy bar-with-small-plates.
The menu thankfully hasn’t changed too much, with lots of options of well-looked-after ingredients, making it perfect for picking and sharing with some friends. Your best bet is to gather a few mates, and between you all you could easily get the whole menu and try everything Horticulture has to offer. Just watch out for that one friend who doesn’t know how to share…
I’ll be having: Hummus & Flatbreads - Roasted Jerusalem Artichokes, Pear, Parmesan, Chives - Jerk Fried Cod, Coconut & Lime Tartar - Crispy Pork Belly, Quince, Chilli, Celeriac, Mustard - Spiced Horti Fries, Salsa Macha, Spring Onion, Sriracha
Image courtesy of The Broad Chare
Wednesday: Lunch at The Broad Chare
Offer: 3 Courses £20
Would it be NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week without one of the flagship 21 Group venues? I don’t think so! My favourite is The Broad Chare, and given the offer is lunch only, “work from home” one day, and treat yourself to a working lunch at the city’s best gastropub.
Everything the kitchen puts out is consistently great, so you can’t go wrong. Sink a couple of pints of the house cask beer, Writer’s Block, and while away a long lunch.
I’ll be having: Grilled Ox Heart, January King Cabbage & Horseradish - Crumbed Ray Wing with Samphire, Tartare Sauce & Lemon - Rhubarb Fool & Shortbread
Thursday: Dinner at The Earl of Pitt Street
Offer: 2 Courses £15, 3 Courses £20
Standing solitary at the top end of town, The Earl of Pitt Street is a bastion of a proper pub that casually does much better-than-pub-food scran. Equally loved by those looking for pub food with an Asian-inspired twist and those in for a few pints before Newcastle play, it’s a laid-back version of everything you could want in a local pub. Banging Sunday lunch as well.
I’ll be having: Tempura Fish Tacos - Gammon Steak, Mustard Cream, Black Pudding Mash, Fine Beans - Baileys & White Chocolate Cheesecake, Raspberry Coulis, Cinder Toffee
Friday: Lunch at Hibou Blanc
Offer: 2 Courses £20
The end of the working week means a chance to properly unwind, and Hibou Blanc is one of the sexiest bars in the city, so do try and hang around afterwards for a few cocktails which are £6 each until 7pm…
The kitchen puts out some serious French classic food, so whether it’s a buttery steak frites, or just some oysters and champagne, you’ll be well looked after. It’s one that gets booked up pretty sharpish, so be quick.
I’ll be having: Smoked Haddock, Leek and Potato Chowder - Wookey Hole Cheddar Toastie - Lyonnaise Onion Tart, - Smoked Mrs Kirkhams,Winter Leaves, Grape, Walnut - Three Scoops of Chocolate Ice Cream - Freshly Baked Madeleines - Brioche Bread and Butter Pudding - White Chocolate Custard, Armagnac Prunes
Image courtesy of Mason + Rye
Saturday: Recharge with a Mason + Rye salad
Offer: £10 Offer
Still going? Well done!
If you can’t quite face the gym just yet and all that pork belly and butter is starting to take its toll, ease into the end of January with something lighter at Mason & Rye. Tempting though it may be to have one of their gorgeous cakes, an invigorating salad and a fresh juice in Fenwick and some Saturday shopping rounds off another successful Restaurant Week. See you in the summer!
