Earlier in the week I started to go through all the restaurants for NE1 Restaurant week (16th-22nd Jan) and found it pretty difficult to choose where to go this time around. I’ve gone through everywhere I’ve ate previously from A-L and now here’s the rest.

Marco Polo

Not a fan, but I think I may have just had a bad experience. Last time I went in a big group we were on a table out of the way so service was very slow, and our food arrived cold. I think we were forgotten about. Kieran loves it, so I think we did just have a bad experience. I’ve just now read the menu and it actually looks really nice with plenty choice.

2 courses for £10, 3 courses for £15.

 
Miller & Carter

This little delight was where I went last restaurant week and loved. I was completely stuffed after a 2 course meal and plan to be again this time. The steak was delicious and my only regret was that we went for the sirloin not the fillet. The sirloin was incredible so I can only imagine how good the fillet will be. I remember being blown away by the sauce, and this mad little iceberg lettuce wrap you get which sounds random but was so good. I also remember the waiter was really canny, and despite being busy really took the time to chat away to us. It was very busy and books up fast so if you fancy it don’t leave it to last minute.

2 courses £15, 3 courses £19.

Nudo

I’ve not yet ate in the noodle restaurant but their sushi takeaways are amazing and very reasonably priced so I thought I would mention them anyway. The menu looks good and it’s 2 courses for £10.

Osaka

My favourite sushi restaurant ever, and it made my top 5 in Newcastle. The sushi is all made fresh, which is what I always get as well as some edamame and tempura prawns which are huge! The food is so good its hard to believe the bill for two of us and a bottle of wine comes to less than £55. The menu is 4 courses, and the sushi is in there as the starters. I’d probably stuff my face with that and not have room for a main. Guaranteed to be good quality food.

4 courses £15.

Piccolino

I’ve not been here for a while but I do like the restaurant, and it’s one of few Italian’s I will get something other than pasta. The starters look pretty bloody good I have to say, and there’s pizza on the mains menu too.

3 courses £15.

 
Pitcher & Piano

I’ve never had dinner here, but I have had lunch and snacks which were very nice, and you can’t beat the view out onto the river. A good place for a few drinks after your food too and a wander along the quayside to walk it off. The menu for restaurant week is huuuuge! And they’re doing breakfast with drinks included, non alcoholic cocktails, and full blown cocktails for an additional £5. I probably wouldn’t have considered here before but I’m feeling swayed for a weekend breakfast outing!

Breakfast £10 2 courses £10

Pleased to Meet You

Always bloody heaving at the bar, but with good reason because the gin selection is impressive. I’ve not ate here but some of my friends tell me its good, and I wanted to mention the Edinburgh gin cocktail with orange I had last week which was delicious.

2 courses £10, 3 courses £15

Rub Smokehouse

I had a great night cocktail making at Rub Smokehouse before Christmas, the place is pretty cool and it’s a new one on the list this year so if you’re after proper smokey BBQ food, and I’m told one of the best chocolate brownies in the city then head here. I’m yet to actually eat here properly, but we did sample the burgers and pulled pork nachos which were both amazing.

2 courses £15

Sachins

An old favourite of Nige’s. I’m not a big fan of Indian food, but Nige swears this is where to go if you are.

2 courses £15.

Shark Club

A favourite for match days and Wings Wednesdays, and I’m pleased to see that both wings and nachos are on the starters list. The Jack Daniels wings are my favourites, but there’s LOADS of flavours, and the nachos are a winner in my eyes because you get cheese on every layer! The menu for restaurant week is pretty big, and it’s a good place for casual bar food and sport.

2 courses £10 3 courses £15.

The Botanist

Always a fan of The Botanist, it’s a great bar, I love their signature cocktail, and their swinging kebabs which I’m pleased to see are the only mains on the restaurant week menu. I’ve still not got over the fact that they’ve taken the prawn ones off the menu entirely, but they’re all good especially the halloumi. I can’t imagine there’s many people in Newcastle who haven’t been here yet, but if you haven’t then GO. Table service means you won’t have to wait for cocktails at the bar either – WIN.

2 courses £10, 3 courses £15.

The Forth

This menu looks adventurous – crab and vodka ravioli? I’m not pre judging I’m sure it will be nice, I’m a big fan of their Sunday dinners and the pub atmosphere in here.

3 courses £15

The Vermont

I’ve only had afternoon tea here but it was very nice, quite posh and I imagine it would be a very nice dinner atmosphere. The menu looks pretty decent too, I’d be having the French onion soup 100%!

2 courses £10 3 courses £15.

Turtle Bay

I wasn’t going to include this, but if I’m being totally honest I’m just not a fan. I’ve been twice because I tried to be selective on the menu and give it a second chance but all the food blows your head off and is way too spicy for my taste. I actually couldn’t taste anything. Cocktails are 2 for 1 but mine seemed to be half full last time I went. If you like spicy food and a lively atmosphere though then get yourself down. Good luck to your tastebuds!

3 courses £15.

Zaap

I really like it here, and you actually do feel like you’re eating on a street in Bangkok. It’s a great atmosphere and the food was really good both times I’ve been. Having said that I’m a bit disappointed the menu isn’t bigger for restaurant week, because the normal menu is huge!

2 courses £10.

Having seen that breakfast option I’m seriously considering that for one of the weekend mornings, but other than that I’m still torn where else to go through the week. One thing is for sure it needs to be close to a metro after the carnage that we had last time trying to get parked. There were literally no spaces in any car park so public transport is the way to go. Plus then we can have a drink because why on earth anyone would make January any worse by not allowing yourself alcohol to get through it is quite frankly beyond me. I’m also told that Snapsaver have 17 of the restaurant week restaurants signed up for their app when it launches, so use this as an opportunity to find your favourites before 50% off all year!

Have a great NE1 restaurant week!

NE1 Restaurant Week Run Down A-Z Part 1