A selection of modern English cuisine available from independent restaurants in Newcastle upon Tyne and the North East of England:

BLACKFRIARS RESTAURANT
Friars Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. NE1 4XN
Tel - 0191 261 5945

A unique restaurant in a building dating back to 1239!! A must visit for tourists and city dwellers alike. Here's what they're website has to say...

‘With its origins dating back to 1239 and a long and turbulent history that included a spell as a hostel to accommodate King Henry III, Blackfriars is undeniably unique. But today Blackfriars Restaurant is one of the most recognised restaurants in Newcastle - Blackfriars was recently awarded ‘Best restaurant in the North East by readers of The Observer in their coveted Food Awards and was also Metro Newspaper’s ‘Restaurant of the Year’. It has also gained an AA rosette and inclusion in the Which? Good Food Guide and Michelin Guide’.

www.blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk 

SIDNEYS

Here's what the website says...

'The ingredients used at Sidneys are of the highest quality, making the typically modern English dishes irresistible. With the sea on the doorstep Alan can buy fish straight from the boats, keen to use only the best local produce.'

www.sidneys.co.uk

Here's what their website has to say.....

'A city centre restaurant with a city centre buzz. In the heart of Newcastle’s Quayside, Café 21 has an excitement and warmth all of its own. Smart but not stuffy, sleek but not pretentious, fun but not gimmicky, it’s about eating good food in comfortably stylish surroundings'.

www.cafetwentyone.co.uk

'Chef Chris Allison is a familiar face in Newcastle's top kitchens and he has opted for an eclectic, 'no boundaries' approach based on top-notch produce. The express dishes, daily specials and traditional Sunday lunch menus feature a blend of traditional and non-traditional tastes from around the world'.

www.theivyhousenewcastle.com

Black Door Brasserie
The Buscuit Factory
Jesmond
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE2 1AN
Tel - 0191 260 5411

"Brasserie Black Door at the Biscuit Factory follows on from the success of its sister fine-dine restaurant Black Door.

The 100-seat brasserie has a more relaxed, informal atmosphere providing an altogether different dining experience.  Light wooden floorings, a range of soft furnishings and warm colours create a contemporary feel, combining style and comfort to stunning effect.  Situated as it is within the Biscuit Factory, an art gallery running the length of the restaurant further complements the artistic space above, with the dual advantage of helping add to the appeal of the brasserie's exterior.

Much like sister venue Black Door, the menu at Brasserie Black Door is focused firmly on a philosophy of using the freshest local produce available, creating dishes that are as fresh as they are tasty and imaginative.  Executive chef David Kennedy uses all the experience of working at Black Door to create a menu capable of living up to the company's very high standards.

The Brasserie is also set up to cater for corporate functions and private parties at the Biscuit Factory for up to 500 guests.

Brasserie Black Door Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday 12-2pm and 7-10pm

Sunday lunches are also available 12pm till 3pm,offering a range of dishes and a Sunday roast in true Black Door style. "

www.blackdoorgroup.co.uk

Starters and Puds
2-6 Shakespeare Street,
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 6AQ
Tel - 0191 233 2515

Here's what they have to say...

"Starters & Puds is an exciting new concept in leisurely eating. We're taking the best of savoury and sweet cuisine, mixing it with friendly yet distinctive surroundings and adding in a large helping of relaxed ambience. You'll find this recipe for a successful eating experience right in the heart of Newcastle, adjacent to the Theatre Royal.

Starters & Puds is an exciting new concept in leisurely eating. We're taking the best of savoury and sweet cuisine, mixing it with friendly yet distinctive surroundings and adding in a large helping of relaxed ambience. You'll find this recipe for a successful eating experience right in the heart of Newcastle, adjacent to the Theatre Royal.

What you get at Starters & Puds is a totally flexible and informal eating experience. It's simply more relaxing because you can enjoy the best bits of the meal. You can choose from a tempting range of starters - as many dishes as you want, either for yourself or share around the table Mediterranean style. You can order a larger version of a starter if you prefer. Then the puds! There's a mouthwatering selection from traditional puddings to continent favourites such as tiamisu and tarte tatin. And, yes, you can have more than one. Try our four-on-a-plate selection!
Our style is friendly, informal and easygoing. Whatever time of day you call in we want you to feel relaxed. From meeting up with friends to getting in some work on your laptop, you'll find the space that fits your mood or occasion. You'll feel at home.

As for your trip to the Theatre Royal, how about this for a suggestion? Split your meal. Theatre times often mean you have to eat early or rush your food. Now you can book into Starters & Puds and have your savoury course before the curtain rises. Then pay for your puddings in advance and you can come back and have them after the show with your coffee - and finish off your bottle of wine which we'll keep for you. That sums up the ethos of Starters & Puds. Isn't it time you enjoyed a bit of our casual style?"

www.startersandpuds.co.uk 

Cherry Tree Restaurant

9 Osborne Road
Jesmond
Newcastle
NE2 2AE

Website: www.thecherrytreejesmond.co.uk

What they have to say...

"In a short time, The Cherry Tree has earned for itself a reputation for being a great place to enjoy modern British cuisine. The restaurant gives customers a stunning dining experience featuring a mezzanine floor with glass balustrade and open spiral staircase, but retaining some of the old features of the building, previously the Jesmond telephone exchange and Scout shop.

Service is friendly; creating a relaxed atmosphere with live background music played most evenings. The Cherry Tree aims to provide the best modern British cuisine in the North East all created by head chef Tony Riches and team.

Begin with a classic Bury black pudding, and soothing leek and potato soup with native oyster and caviar cream. Move on to mains of rump of Ingram Valley lamb, or fillet of turbot with king prawns, mash and lobster bisque, before giving in to a tempting sticky toffee and pecan pavlova. An eclectic list of sixty-eight wines covers most wine producing regions of the world."

GRAINGER ROOMS RESTAURANT

The Grainger Rooms, 7 Highham Place,
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE1 8AF
TEL -  0191 232 4949

Here’s what the website says...

‘Chris Slaughter is one of the North East's brightest young names and brings with him a decade's award-winning experience in some of the area's best restaurants.
He has a passion for locally sourced produce. Hence, The Grainger Rooms' menus feature rare-breed Northumbrian meat directly from local farms, North Sea fish from sustainable groups, hand-picked wild mushrooms and wild foods in season.’