217 Jesmond Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne. Tel: 0191 281 7179.

This restaurant is preceded by a good reputation. A friend of mine, Duncan Fisher who owns the Apartment and Mr Lynch bars in Newcastle took me there last time I was up North. (Incidentally he has now added "As you like it " to the list, which is a new fangled gastropub bringing the country to the city. Ha!)

When we went there was very much an Asian theme to the menu. It could be that the chefs were trying out that cuisine as the owner is opening up another restaurant to cater for Asian cooking.

For some reason, and probably a good reason, the decor and especially the signage makes it out to be a Tex-Mex kind of restaurant. The name and the cowboy hat does it no favours. Hopefully I won't get shot down in flames for that as I hear the chef has a fiery reputation. Don't send the bouillabaisse back without eating it all! Is it an urban myth? I heard otherwise.

I had the Vietnamese spring rolls for my starter. Actually it was one spring roll that was halved. It was tasty and I particularly like the small salad that came with it. The touch of mint gave it that authentic touch I thought. However, my wife's family is Vietnamese and they do their spring rolls with lots of glass noodles inside so these were quite meaty in comparison. Then again I am sure there are hundreds of ways of making it.

I can't remember what Duncan had for a starter but his grilled seafood sounded great. It came with a good selection on the plate. I just wasn't sure on the amount of pesto sprawled over it. I love seafood and as such would have perferred it much plainer.

My monkfish tempura was bang on though. Light and fluffy batter and perfectly cooked fish inside. Fantastic finger food to pick up and chomp on. I loved mine.

We shared a cheese platter and a Brown Brothers Orange Muscat and Floral for dessert. Shame about Mister tatoo man just plonking it down on the table without actually telling what was on the plate. Only a minor gripe as overall I really liked the place. Was very full when we arrived and seems a very popular place, even mid-week.

Wow, can't believe this page is geting so many hits. I guess that the phrase any publicity is good publicity may have an inkling of truth, but part of me doesn't think so.

Comments

Wow Written by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on 2008-01-07 15:44:22 IP: 217.41.126.97 Was just about to book up for my birthday in Barn under a wandering star but won't bother now if that's the sort of person they employ. Wonder if his employer has seen his comments?

Why so angry? Written by Gordon on 2007-10-25 14:31:04 IP: 217.33.105.2 Wow, what a response.    Is that a typical response to someone who has said that they loved the food and would recommend it?    There are plenty of potential people who come across this page through the search engines just like how you did I guess. Is that how you would like to portray your restaurant?

hey prick Written by Mr. on 2007-08-04 17:31:54 IP: 82.39.148.146 Hey.......    Mr. Tattoo Man was actually me, YOU LITTLE TOSSER. If you wanted to know what was on your plate, you should have asked, like the other people do, the kind of un-pretentious, normal customers we normally serve, you twat.......cheese and biscuits, the clue is in the menu title you retard, you may like to think about asking what cheeses next time. Hopefully you will, you may get an extra 'speciality cheese' on your plate, goes by the name of helmut-dale if i ever serve you again. I hope you choke on your next meal you turd pipe......    And never eat in a restaurant i work in again.......I remember your face, the urban myth is definitely no myth. I'll have an extra portion of creamofsomeyoungguy to go with your next meal matey, free of charge.    Do not fuck with the people who serve you food.....we see your dish a long time before you do.

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment!