Situated on Newcastle's quayside, and opposite the Sage, this is ideal for lunchtime meals and evening drinks.
BAR/ RESTAURANT
The restaurant/bar is accessed via some stone steps, so not really possible for disabled guests unless I have missed some other opening.
Once inside, there are plenty of wooden tables and chairs dotted randomly about the eating area, as well as some low comfy sofas and low tables by the windows. At the back of the area is the bar and some small tables and stools, which are ideal for guests wanting only a drink, away from the windows. However, wherever guests sit, they can order only a drink, or a full meal.
THE MENU
The menu is always conveniently placed on whichever table you sit at, probably to tempt those who had come into the restaurant for only a drink. There is a selection of food ranging from starters and light bites to full meals and sharing platters. I tend to go for a light meal or a wrap if I have been shopping and it is lunchtime. These are quite reasonably priced by city centre standards with sandwiches starting at £4.45 for mature cheddar and apple chutney sandwich. There are several salads on the menu, as well as soups which come served in a nice deep bowl, with crusty bread.
The main courses start at £7.25 for traditional fish and chips, and the portions are generous. Desserts include sticky toffee pudding (£3.95) and carrot cake (£3.95), and there is often a buy one get one free offer on desserts, so we buy two! The portions are big, and these are good to have with a coffee whilst watching the world go by (but no ships!)
DRINKS
It being a bar as well as a restaurant, the bar area is very well stocked ready for the weekend revellers. There are all manner of drinks, and visitors can order spirits, wine, cocktails and champagne cocktails. Many of the cocktails are particular to this establishment, so they do change quite regularly, and they have specials on the cocktails as well as non alcoholic cocktails (mocktails)
Hot drinks can be ordered without a meal, and there are several kinds of coffee on offer.
VERDICT
I like this place, because it is right on the quayside and close to the shopping area of Newcastle. A short walk down Grey Street gets me away from the shopping area and the fast food establishments. The atmosphere here is always relaxed and the service quick and friendly. It never seems to be really busy through the day, so we can usually get a chair and table. It is more busy in the evenings but again, the atmosphere continues to be relaxed and anyone wanting food or a hot drink can do so. The whole place is light and airy, and there is plenty of space between tables, so you don't feel that you have joined someone else's table. At the bar area, although there are seats, there is also standing space for anyone choosing to stand.
A pleasant place for anyone on Newcastle's quayside wanting to get away from the quite frantic pace a little bit further along the road!
Thanks for reading
Daniela xx
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