2 Northumberland restaurants in top 100 at national awards
Among them are Northumberland eateries Restaurant Pine in East Wallhouses and Hjem in Hexham, which were ranked in 26th place and 67th place respectively.
Elsewhere in the region, Solstice in Newcastle also made the prestigious foodie list, in 73rd place.
Take a look at all the top 100 restaurants in the UK via The National Restaurant Awards website.
What did the experts say about top 3 North East restaurants?
Restaurant Pine, East Wallhouses
Restaurant Pine is a former cow barn, transformed into one of the North’s “most progressive dining rooms” and offers views over the Northumberland landscape, including Hadrian’s Wall.
“The theatre of nature extends to what’s on the plate with Pine chefs Byerley and Ian Waller serving an almost 20-course procession of dishes, many of which use ingredients foraged from the Northumberland countryside or grown within the restaurant’s own kitchen garden,” shares The National Restaurant Awards.
It continues: “The cooking is progressive, using techniques such as preserving, fermenting and ageing to full effect, but never feels overwrought.
“Uniquely for a restaurant such as Pine, during the day service switches to a three-tier afternoon tea offer with a modern twist.”
A recent customer complimented the vegetarian menu and praised the “very witty and fun presentation” of the food.
On Tripadvisor, they wrote: “Vegetarian menu had no hint that anything was a substitution. Complex and technically amazing cooking that didn’t get in the way of the joy and pleasure of eating. Some very witty and fun presentation. Soft pairing was just amazing. And an incredibly wonderful, hospitable, team.”
Hjem, Hexham
Hjem is the “dream project” of Swedish chef Alex Nietosvuori and can be found “tucked away” within The Hadrian Hotel in the village of Wall.
The National Restaurant Awards adds: “The restaurant serves an ambitious 15-18 course tasting menu created from ingredients sourced from surrounding farms and gardens, and cooked with Scandinavian precision and practices Nietosvuori has acquired over his extensive career.
“The wines poured alongside, meanwhile, are carefully chosen from wine makers who work with maximum respect for the environment and minimum intervention in the cellar.”
Solstice, Newcastle
Owned by North East born and raised, Kenny Atkinson, Solstice is said to be a “more intimate and focused counterpoint” to his House of Tides establishment.
The National Restaurants Awards explains: “Atkinson’s menu gives very little away with each course named after a single ingredient. The menu is big on premium ingredients with the likes of caviar, langoustine, wagyu beef, scallop, turbot and squab pigeon featuring heavily.”
Someone who visited last month wrote on Tripadvisor: “Just WOW!! From entering the restaurant we were greeted by a lovely lady and Kenny himself.
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“The ambiance of the restaurant is so warm and friendly. Every plate of food was delicious and looked amazing.
“Each plate described by the chefs was such a lovely experience.
“We would 100% recommend a visit here if you’re visiting Newcastle. Thankyou Kenny and his team we will definitely be returning.”