The Coquetvale Hotel in Rothbury - Sunday Carvery

Sunday Lunch at the Coquetvale Hotel

I'm not going to go into full details here as we've reviewed the wonderful Italian restaurant at The Coquetvale Hotel in Rothbury before. When we heard that they were now offering a carvery on a Sunday we just had to check it out and we were not disappointed! It's the same high standards we've come to expect from Chris and his friendly team and is surely an early contender for the best Sunday Lunch in Northumberland title that will once again be decided by the year end! High praise indeed.

Starters were very reasonably priced, well presented and extremely tasty. The pate can be seen below and we can also recommend the crab cake which was particularly delicious (and generous in size!).

The star of the show is definitely the carvery, everything is served to you by the friendly chef.... he even carried my mum's plate to the table for her! There was a choice of beef (medium or well done - something I've only seen at one other carvery in Northumberland - the award winning Battlesteads Hotel in Wark), turkey and a glazed ham. I had a mix of ham and beef and both meats were a delight. On top of what you can see below vegetables were then brought to the table, carrots, broccoli, french beans, more potatoes and creamed leeks in a cheese sauce, all wonderful!

Desserts also sounded delightful, but we simply didn't have room! This was an outstanding lunch, you simply must visit.

Contact Details
Restaurant Italia Plus at The Coquetvale Hotel

Station Road
Rothbury
Northumberland
NE65 7QH

Tel: 01669 622900
Fax: 01669 620379

email: stay@cvhotel.co.uk
Web: www.coquetvale.co.uk

Review: The Three Wheat Heads Inn, Thropton, Nr Rothbury

I have really fond memories of visiting The Three Wheat Heads Inn many years ago when I was a kid, we used to go regularly for Sunday lunch as a family in the 80's. It's strange what you remember with crystal clarity from your childhood, I remember the car park at the front and the panoramic view from the restaurant, but nothing of the food. So I had a quick chat with my mum before writing this review 'Why did we stop going to the Three Wheat Heads?' I asked her 'because it went crap' was her reply and she hasn't been back since the late 80's! She always did have a way with words and it just goes to show that it takes years to build up a good reputation, but just seconds to bring it crashing to the ground and that's what sticks.

I'm sure The Three Wheats Heads Inn has changed hands many times since I was last there, but what hasn't changed is that view. Oh what a view to behold, the Coquetdale Valley in all it's glory on a sunny day warms the soul and the restaurant uses this feature well. Large glass sliding doors open out to a garden area with seating and a little play area for the kids, you can't help but stop for a moment and just take it all in. It was a little overcast on the day we visited which was a shame as it would have been nice to show you this special place at it's very best.


On to the food, it was early Sunday afternoon and we hadn't booked a table in advance which wasn't a problem for the friendly lady who welcomed us into the restaurant. Had we been ten minutes later I don't think they would have been able to fit us in so I would recommend booking ahead. The carvery lunch comes in three sizes: small, medium and large so we promptly ordered two large meals and some drinks which were brought to our table. The large portion certainly lived up to it's billing. We were told we could go up to the carvery and we went for the 'bit of everything' option which consisted of beef, lamb, turkey, ham and roast pork with 8 roast potatoes, three home-made yorkshire puddings and stuffing! There was also a choice of three different types of gravy, one plain, one with mint added and one for vegetarians along with the usual array of condiments you would expect to see. Vegetables were brought to our table in a bowl, which I have never seen before in a carvery and did raise small concerns about wastage - I wouldn't have chosen to put all those veg on my plate.

It wasn't until we were up at the carvery that we saw there was a blackboard with a range of starters, which weren't mentioned when we arrived. As there was no menu given to us we had assumed that the carvery was all that was on offer and with a restaurant full of people they are potentially missing a lot of extra revenue here. Nevermind we thought, there was more than enough food to keep us going in front of us! All the meats were extremely tender and tasty with the roast potatoes being particularly good and the gravy (I had the plain) thick and rich.


Despite a really strong appetite we just couldn't get through all the lightly cooked vegetables that were brought to us, which as I mentioned earlier was a shame. A lot of effort has clearly been made by the current owners to make the restaurant a pleasant and relaxed dining area with modern furniture and fairly plain decoration, perhaps intentional to keep the attention on that view.


We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch (which was £9.95 for the large carvery) and had absolutely no room to even contemplate a dessert after such a gargantuan plate full. I've informed my mum that after her 25 year hiatus it's safe to go back to the Three Wheat Heads Inn. And so the long, slow process of building word of mouth and a good reputation is restarted and I wish them the very best of luck.


The Three Wheat Heads Inn's Scores
Venue: 4 out of 5
Ambience: 4 out of 5
Service: 2 ½ out of 5
Presentation: 3 ½ out of 5
Taste: 4 out of 5
Value for Money: 3 ½ out of 5



Overall Score: The Three Wheat Heads Inn have the advantage of an effortlessly beautiful location so it's hard not to recommend visiting for a Sunday lunch, or any other day of the week for that matter. The view will take your breath away, the front of house staff will welcome you and you will receive good, hearty food. It should certainly be on your list to consider for a good honest family meal. 3 ½ out of 5.

My scoring system explained: 1 = Poor, 2 = Average, 3 = Good, 4 = Excellent, 5 = Outstanding

Contact Details
The Three Wheat Heads Inn
Thropton
Nr Rothbury
Northumberland
NE65 7LR

Tel: 01669 620262
email: info@threewheatheads.co.uk

Web: www.threewheatheads.co.uk

Number 19 at The Close House Hotel, Heddon on the Wall - Best Sunday Lunch Campaign Review

Number 19 at The Close House Hotel, Heddon on the Wall
As we approached the entrance to the Close House Hotel, the location of Number 19, it was late afternoon and the low winter sun was just above tree level with a gentle mist starting to form. The beautiful half mile tree-lined driveway certainly gives an air of exclusivity to your arrival for Sunday Lunch. We parked in a car park full of very expensive cars and suddenly wondered if we had come under dressed for the occasion! As it happens we hadn't, the venue was relaxed and friendly, and without exageration absolutely stunning.

The approach to Number 19, which is a separate building entirely to the Close House Hotel, opens out to reveal an uninterupted view of the Tyne Valley. The low afternoon sun highlighted the forming mist in the Valley, giving it an ethereal glow. We stood and took in the glory of this view for a while and as we were a few minutes early had a walk around to the front of the building. You really couldn't ask for a better location, the flocks of starlings were in their pre-roost dance of murmuration above the surrounding fields which provided a magical natural spectacle. It was almost a shame to go inside, however one of the main strengths of Number 19 came in to play when we were seated at our table by the huge wall of glass - the glory of the valley was still perfectly on display from the inside, too.

Inside Number 19 the bar area and restaurant are split into two by the bar itself, with the restaurant area large enough to be used as a function room. The decor is modern and the chair covers gave the feel of an evening wedding function, if anything it felt a little on the corporate side. Perhaps the interior was left this way to provide a more plain backdrop to the amazing view, my gaze was continually drawn outside. We almost forgot we were there to eat! For our starters we chose the twice baked cheese souffle and the smooth chicken liver pate with a pear chutney. Both were of a very high standard although for the very generous portion of pate there wasn't quite enough bread for me. The pate itself was incredibly smooth and the pear chutney beautifully spiced, the mix of flavours were considered and well balanced, this is clearly a chef with a delicate hand. My dining partner enquired as the plates were cleared as to which cheeses had been used in the souffle, the waitress returned from the kitchen to let us know it was a Northumbrian Cheddar and a parmesan.

For our main course I chose the roast leg of Ingram Valley lamb and my dining partner the red onion tarte tatin. The dishes quickly arrived on extremely hot plates, so hot that the waitress couldn't pick up the dish from the tray she brought it out on. She fetched a serviette and quickly placed my main course in front of me.

There was again a very generous portion of lamb which included a large dark piece from the outside of the joint which didn't improve the presentation of the dish. It did however provide a good kick of flavour. The vegetables came in a bowl of their own, carrots, peas, boiled potatoes and braised red cabbage all simply cooked to allow the full flavour to shine. I don't think that my Yorkshire pudding was reflective of the standard that the restaurant usually delivers as we saw so many towering puddings go by. Mine was unfortunately smaller and still a little doughy in the middle, a real shame. I would also have liked a little more gravy but there were no staff around and I didn't want to leave my meal to go cold so I tucked in. The red onion tarte tatin was presented beautifully and was a light and welcome alternative to the standard roast.

After finishing our main courses we decided to end the meal there so that we could more easily compare the dining experience with the other three finalists. We eventually got a member of staff's attention to let them know we had finished and asked for the bill, which we paid at the bar. Two courses at Number 19 cost £15.95 and three courses £18.95, which was slightly more expensive than the published price on the website. A pint of lager cost £4.50.

Summary
A stunning location for a meal, simply breathtaking. An excellent use of local produce throughout the menu celebrated the best ingredients that Northumberland has to offer.

Highlight: You simply won't dine with a better view anywhere.
Lowlight: Service throughout the dining experience was a little sparse.


Contact Details
Close House Hotel
Heddon on the Wall
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE15 0HT
Sat Nav – NE41 8BL

TEL      01661 852255
WEB     www.closehouse.co.uk/golf/the-clubhouse/
EMAIL events@closehouse.co.uk

The Running Fox, Felton - Best Sunday Lunch Campaign Review

The Running Fox, Felton

Located in the lovely Village of Felton, fairly central in Northumberland between Alnwick and Morpeth, The Running Fox occupies an enviable position overlooking the River Coquet. It is a small and chic country-style cafe that also has an on-site artisan bakery making a wide range of artisan breads, pies, cakes and scones. All of which are beautifully displayed in the window and behind the main counter and entice you into the cafe with their aroma and appearance. The nomination process revealed an amazing passion amongst the local villages for the Running Fox, many saying that it had 'transformed the Village' since it was taken over by the current proprietors at the start of the year. 

Having booked well ahead, we were shown to our table which had our name and time of booking written on a small chalk board. A very efficient idea for a venue that's on the smaller side compared to our other finalists, as it allowed the table to be used prior to our arrival, whilst still letting people know the table was booked. The Cafe was buzzing with energy with a lot of the tables chatting amongst each other, it was obvious that a lot of clients were regulars and knew each other and the staff very well, there wasn't a free seat in the house. The menu had a good choice for each course and we were very plesantly surprised with the value for money the lunch menu offered, just £10.50 if you wanted to have the full three courses! We also really liked the idea of being able to have a 'trio of meats' for a main course, giving the flexibility and choice akin to a carvery, with just a 50p supplement on the price (and at no extra cost if taken with two, or three courses).

We chose our starters which included the Leek and Potato Soup and the Smoked Salmon and Brown Bread Platter, both of which were delicious and came with a large portion of home-made bread. After a short while our main courses were ready, I had ordered the lamb and my eating partners the beef and the chicken breast with sage and onion. The meat and Yorkshire puddings were brought out on each plate surrounded by a dark, thick gravy. The vegetables were next, a mixture of roasted veg served in a lovely Le Creuset style pot, a bowl of sugar snap peas and french beans and finally a large oval dish of cauliflower cheese which had been nicely browned on top. It was good to know all the meat and veg on the plate had been locally sourced.

All were beautifully presented and the portion sizes were more than enough for our group to have a good second helping of veg. The lamb I had was wonderful, a really nice strong flavour which was enhanced by a rich, thick gravy and a good lashing of mint sauce. The other members of the group also reported tender and flavourful meat with one remarking that 'I couldn't have made it better myself', high praise indeed! The only possible piece of constructive criticism we could think of was that the plates the main course were served on could have been hotter, to help keep the food warmer for the slow eaters amongst us. This was not an issue for me personally, the food didn't stay on the plate long enough to go cold!

The staff were incredibly friendly throughout, checking everything was OK and if we needed more drinks, you certainly got the feeling that they cared and nothing would have been too much trouble for them. While we sat contentedly letting our main course settle the chef came out into the shop and gave a toddler a bag of stale bread to go and feed the ducks with by the river. It's little things like this that give you that warm feeling inside about an establishment and make you want to come back. As was the trend throughout our visits to the four finalists we didn't have room for dessert! I can however attest to the quality and excellence of the cakes (and artisan breads) from subsequent visits.

The price for their Sunday Lunch is £6.50 for a main course, £8.50 for two courses and £10.50 for three courses. They also offer a small portion of each main course for just £4. The Running Fox does not serve alcoholic drinks, but has a nice range of unusual soft drinks, teas and coffees and is also a newsagent.

Summary

This Sunday Lunch was the cheapest of our four finalists, in one case almost half the price another. We are thrilled to say that this was in no way reflected in the quality or quantity of the meal. We now understand perfectly why the locals are so ecstatic to have The Running Fox in their Village.

Highlight: The excellent value for money and friendly atmosphere.

Lowlight: Not being able to take the entire cake and bread counter home with me!

Contact Details
The Running Fox
2-4 Riverside
Felton
Northumberland
NE65 9EA

TEL 01670 787 090
WEB www.facebook.com/therunningfox
EMAIL runningfoxcafe@gmail.com

Battlesteads Hotel, Wark, Nr Hexham - Best Sunday Lunch Campaign Review

The Battlesteads Hotel, Wark, Nr Hexham
A beautifully clear and sunny Autumn day was perfect weather to enjoy the scenic drive out to the Village of Wark, the location of The Battlesteads Hotel and Restaurant. It's just a short drive from Hexham, a few miles North along the country lanes where we found The Battlesteads on the outskirts of an idyllic rural Village. The welcome we received from the staff behind the bar was just as warm and comfortable as the atmosphere inside, the bar area itself is full of character and very nicely presented.



We ordered drinks and then were given the option of sitting in the restaurant or the conservatory to dine. As it was such a fantastic day we opted for the bright and comfortable conservatory that looked out onto a lovely walled garden area. We watched the many birds fluttering about the garden, on and off the numerous feeders and commented on how wonderful the outside space would be in summer. We were given our menus by a very personable member of staff that we had a chat with for a few minutes. We talked about lack of mobile signal in the Village and how the Hotel has wireless broadband in the bar area, but the signal won't go through the thick stone walls and reach where we were sitting.

We knew from the large number of nominations we received that The Battlesteads grow their own vegetables, but it wasn't until we were there talking to the staff that we realised just how deep this commitment goes. All the salad, fruit and vegetables are grown on site and their care for the environment is literally second to none. Two days prior to our visit the Hotel had won a prestigious Responsible Tourism Award for being 'Best Accommodation for the Environment' beating competition from such giants of the industry as the Savoy in London and other major hotels around the world.

We chose from the extensive menu and ordered our starters which were the Roasted Garlic and Potato Soup and a Salad of Baked Squash, Prosciutto and Pecorino Cheese with a Balsamic Dressing. The starters arrived with a mixture of home-made bread presented on a slate with pieces of butter that were a little on the hard side. The presentation of the Salad of Baked Squash in particular was fantastic, the beautiful colours of the dish were matched by the delicate balance of flavours perfectly. My soup was piping hot, plentiful and full of hearty garlic flavour which went perfectly with the variety of bread.

There were plenty of choices for the main course other than the option of carvery which was nice to see, but we had to sample the traditional Sunday lunch. When we approached the carvery area we were greeted by a cheerful chef and four of the largest joints of meat you will ever see. Two of the joints were local beef, one cooked beautifully to medium, perfectly evenly pink throughout and the other was cooked 'well done'. What a brilliant idea this is, beef is usually only served well cooked through at a carvery and I've certainly never seen this option anywhere else before. The other joints on offer were a delicious looking turkey and roast pork with crackling and stuffing.

We both opted for the medium beef which was expertly carved, I had a mixture of this and the roast pork. The chef then talked us through the vegetables on offer which included duck fat roast potatoes, carrot and swede, broccoli and cauliflower cheese and pan fried sprouts with bacon. You could also help yourself to the giant Yorkshire puddings (or rather Geordie puddings, as I was corrected!) and were invited to come back and help ourselves to more should we wish to. There was then a member of staff by the gravy and sauces to explain what was available, I had some of the wonderful horseradish sauce to go with the beef.

There were plenty of staff in the restaurant, more than you would expect from an establishment of this size which made the service a joy to behold. We returned to our table and eagerly demolished the fantastic lunch that was before us. The meat was as tender as could be with a fullness of flavour to match, and the freshness of the vegetables shone through. This is precision cooking of the highest order and I honestly couldn't fault anything on the plate. After we had finished our main course we decided that we wouldn't be able to manage a dessert, we had seen several go by us and they did look lovely. We asked for the bill and with it came two small chocolates which we were told had been made by the owners wife, Dee. They were small chocolate cups covered in caramel and tiny edible gold stars, with an alcohol soaked cherry inside. They were so good that we asked if we would be able to buy half a dozen to take away with us. If the desserts are of the same standard as these chocolates then we really did miss out on a treat. We even overheard the table next to us discussing how fantastic the puddings are before they'd even ordered a starter! Our strange request for chocolates to take home was no problem at all and within minutes they were delivered in a beautiful wrapping to our table by Dee herself, who just asked that we make a donation to Children In Need rather than pay for them.

The price for this meal was £12.50 for two courses or £14.50 for three courses, with drinks being reasonably priced, particularly the Peroni.

Summary
An absolutely outstanding lunch in a restaurant that has an amazing ethos and commitment to local sourcing that goes well beyond the call of duty. Extremely friendly, knowledgeable and attentive staff made the whole meal a pleasurable experience.

Highlight: The stunningly tender beef and the freshness and flavour of the home-grown vegetables.
Lowlight: Not being able to fit in a dessert.

Contact Details
Battlesteads Hotel & Restaurant
Wark on Tyne
nr Hexham
Northumberland
NE48 3LS

TEL (0)1434 230 209
WEB www.battlesteads.com
EMAIL info@battlesteads.com

Sunday Lunch Campaign - Two Down!

I've had quite a few emails over the last couple of days asking what's happening with the Sunday Lunch Campaign. Throughout November we are visiting the four finalists and judging their Sunday Lunch, the last place we are due to visit is on Sunday 20th November. I'll then be  publishing a review of each place and announcing our winner before the end of November. We've visited two restaurants so far and the standard has been amazingly high, it's going to be an incredibly difficult decision to make.

It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it!

Northumberland's Best Sunday Lunch: The Finalists!

A huge thank you to all the people (well over a thousand) who took the time to nominate in our campaign to find Northumberland's Best Sunday Lunch. We are so fortunate to have so many fantastic places to eat in our great County and proud of the quality of the produce on offer. That pride flowed through all the nominations and four establishments stood out in particular, their immensely supportive and passionate customers spoke out! We will be visiting each of the finalists to sample and judge their food, writing a full review on the blog and announcing the winner at the end of November. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get updates! In no particular order here are your four finalists:

The Wellwood - Amble
In sheer numbers of nominations, The Wellwood just beat the other finalists to come out on top. The reasons were varied and passionate, but centred on the amazing flavour of their gravy. I look forward to sampling it!

"Another amazing lunch today at The Wellwood, this place never fails to deliver! The local "Gloster Hill" beef from the farm just a stones throw away shows real commitment to sourcing local. This from Zecca's sister restaurant who won last years Northumberland Business Awards for using local produce. Keep up the good work and please never ever change the gravy!".....

"An almost perfect lunch - I leave perfection to my late Grandmother. Good slices of quality meat, crunchy roast potatoes, a yorkshire pudding you would break your ankle if you fell from, just cooked fresh veg. The chef usually adds a different variation of veg such as cauliflower cheese. Lashings of hot tasty gravy..... Dont get me started on the puddings. I believe a Sunday lunch deserves a hot pudding. Bread and Butter, Crumble, Sticky Toffee - all served with custard. As I say - Almost Perfect!".....

"I have no hesitation in recommending it to all my "guests" as I run a 4 Star Gold holiday cottage. Those who visited the Wellwood, which are many, all report the quality of this establishment in the guest book and also recommend it to oncoming guests. I think it's a privilege to have such an establishment in our area and I hope long may it last!".....

The Battlesteads Hotel and Restaurant - Wark

Local sourcing and home grown food were the theme in almost all of The Battlesteads' nominations. Sustainability is a buzz word of the moment and the customers here are clearly impressed by their efforts to keep things local. The beautiful location and highly praised food sealed the deal for them.

"This is a family run business with the proprietors being very much hands on giving that personal touch to all customers who eat there. There is a excellent variety of food on offer including a selection of fish and Gammon, all food is locally sourced with a lot being grown on site. (sustainability benifits everyone who live in and visits this beautiful unspoilt county.) The resaurant is always busy - testiment to its popularity yet the service is excellent and you are always greeted with a friendly smile. Excellent Food, surroundings and staff all locally sourced!!".....

"Every time I go its always lovely, nice selection of starters, lovely roast joints and vegetables, their ice cream menu is really different from Beckleberry's and the home made puddings are better than what mum used to make! Make me feel welcome and my custom is valued.".....

"Buffet lunches, large variety of vegetables, three - four meats. The roast Pork, Beef, Lamb and/or Chicken, just melt in the mouth and the flavour just erupts on the taste buds. Varied starters and deserts.Great welcome, busy, but found a table for us but only just.".....

The Running Fox - Felton

A large number of people felt that The Running Fox has had an amazing impact and transformed the Village of Felton since they re-opened earlier in the year. It is clearly a special place that is held in high esteem by the community it serves, quality and value for money were mentioned again and again. Combine all this with a beautiful location by the river and they are on to a winner.

"Chris and Nev have done a wonderful job since taking over the Running Fox only this year, their fare is all made on the premises from locally produced sources. I would say their success so far is down to them being "people persons" which reflects on their staff who are very friendly. They truly deserve to do well as they do go the "extra mile" for their customers.".....

"This is a fab little establishment. Compact and cosy with lovely views of the river it never fails to deliver outstanding meals from locally sourced produce all at a reasonable price. The service is always friendly and the tables are always busy. A sure sign of a popular eatery!! Love the Running Fox.".....

"This wonderfull village cafe is Northumberlands best kept secret... wonderfull fresh food.. beautifully presented along with attentive staff... and if that isnt enough... extremely reasonably priced!!!".....


No.19 at Close House - Heddon on the Wall
Standing out more than any other for the constant and direct praise for the standard of cuisine and service is No.19 at the Close House Hotel. 'Contemporary' and 'unique' are words that were regularly repeated throughout the nominations, patrons were genuinely impressed with the location, friendliness and excellent service.

"What a stunning Place for a family Sunday lunch. The views of the Tyne valley are incredible, the staff are very friendly making you at ease as soon as you arrive. The menu flooded with produce from Northumberlands wonderful larder. Everything on the menu was beautifully presented, the meat and vegetables beautifully cooked and for those with a sweet tooth the desserts are top class. Simply a great Sunday lunch."......

"No 19 puts its own stamp on a traditional Sunday dinner, using locally grown produce it really stands out against others in the local area. Being someone who dines out every sunday, always sampling new restaurants, No 19 has really stood out as the best in the area. Me and my family no longer sample new restaurants as we know that we cannot possibly find any better.".....

"No 19 at Close House is an exceptional place for Sunday lunch, the variation and choice in the menu is so unique but not lacking in the traditional roast, the locality of ingredients is also what puts no 19 above the rest. Beef from wallington, lamb from ingram valley, local veg, what more could anyone ask for, definitely number one in the region.".....

Massive congratulations to the finalists! I can't wait to visit you all and sample your wonderful Northumbrian food.

Sunday Lunch Campaign - Announcement

With the nomination period over, it's time to count up the votes and read all the fantastic reasons why you have nominated each place. Four restaurants in particular stood out beyond all the others, both in the number of nominations that they received and the passion in which they were spoken about. Before I announce the finalists, I'd like to talk a little bit about the huge number of restaurants and pubs that were very close to being finalists.

The following places had a large number of nominations and should be very proud of the lovely comments and support that they clearly have from their loyal customers. They come under the 'extremely highly recommended' category if you're looking for a quality Sunday lunch in your area.

The Duke of Wellington - Newton

"A great range of high quality traditional and modern dishes in good portions. The staff are friendly and efficient and the new build combines a homely feel with up-to-date decor and furniture. A great place to lose a Sunday afternoon at any time of the year!".....

"This has to have been the best Sunday Lunch I have ever had. The food was cooked to perfection. Great portion sizes. All served up in a friendly warm atmosphere!".....

"Superb food, always excellent quality ingredients, locally sourced wherever possible,impeccable service, friendly but professional, everything you could want from a top-class restaurant".....

Goats on the Roof - Fontburn

"Everything from the locally produced food to the friendly and relaxed service made our visit to the Goats on the Roof restaurant very enjoyable. The lunch was extremely tasty and the proportions were very generous and would be more than enough to make us take the journey from Blyth to Fontburn again and again. So pleased to have discovered this place even if it was by sheer chance.".....

"I was pleased to find they have a fantastic selection of meats available on their carvery. all of which were locally sourced, which is a bonus. Fantastic views of the reservoir and animals and friendly staff too really do top it off!".....

"The restaurant is situated in the beautiful open countryside of Northumberland. The food is mainly sourced from the farm itself. It has a great atmosphere and helpful friendly staff. It's also very child friendly and where else has goats on the roof!?".....

The Northumbrian Piper - Gosforth

"Fantastic, fresh, tasty food, all locally sourced. Service with a smile. Friendly staff and great atmosphere. Value for money. Will even deliver it to your home if you so wish! No need to go anywhere else.".....

"The gravy says it all! Fantasic environment, friendly staff and fresh locally sourced ingredients.".....

"We were just in Newcastle for a visit and went with some friends for Sunday Lunch .We were very happy with the friendliness of the staff and the quality of the food it was one of the best Sunday Lunches we have had for a while, The Pork was cooked to perfection andthe vegetables were just right, we will be back.".....

The Feathers Inn - Stocksfield

"So many pub sunday lunches are often the weakest link in their menu. With the feathers you might even argue it's the jewel in their crown. From the excellent ales and fine wines, through the astonishing range of superb local produce, to the portions that guarantee you'll be going home satisfied the whole experience is a joy. And that's without even mentioning the quality of the cooking, for instance, the way the roast pork melts in the mouth is so sublime it has to be witchcraft. Not only is the feathers the best sunday roast in Northumberland, it's so good it's hardly worth holding the competition at all!".....

"For reasons here ".....

"The quality of the food is outstanding, The food is local and you know exactly where the food comes from. The service is excellent. ".....

The Swan at Choppington

"Plenty of it, always cooked to perfection, fantastic home-made yorkshires, superb range of alcohol to accompany it".....

"Fantastic food, friendly staff and great service make this a top value Sunday lunch. Tasty meat, fresh veg and all the trimmings!".....

"Excellent service and real home cooked food - you can't beat it!".....

The Red Lion - Alnmouth

"Food served was lvely and hot and you got a good portion.".....

"Always great service, fantastic food and that gorgeous feeling of being comfortabley full when you get back home. Lovely - and they serve all day.".....

Vallum Farm - Eastwallhouses

"Its just very good, the food is excellent as is the service every time we've been. It makes for a perfect traditional Sunday Lunch. I've always highly recommended it to all my friends."......

"Having tried many sunday lunches, this one is unbeatable. I keep trying to find a better one but cannot. All of the produce is fresh and local, and the cooking of it is just like mum used to make. Traditional methods, no shortcuts, served beautifully. The puddings and icecream are delicious too, if you can fit it in. Thoughtful food served with excellence.".....

"Wonderful atmosphere and location and the best homemade ice cream in all of the North!".....

The Rat Inn - Anick

"Its always very busy but the standard of the food and the ambience cant be beaten,exceptional local rib of beef and perfectly cooked veg and home made puddings. Staff very friendly and welcoming.".....

"The quality of the Sunday lunch is consistently good. Quality local produce cooked to perfection. Always excellent value for money accompanied by a great choice of real ales and fine wines. The pub always has a good atmosphere and the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable.".....

I'll announce the four finalists tomorrow!

Sunday Lunch Campaign Update!

A huge thank you to everyone that has nominated so far in our Campaign to find the best Sunday Lunch in Northumberland. Up until now over 100 places have received at least one nomination by a member of the public and some places are well over the thirty mark! There are a few leading contenders for the shortlist at the moment where people speak so passionately about why they have nominated them.

The nomination process will run until Sunday 30th October. After that we will spend a lot of time reading each and every nomination and decide on a shortlist of places for us to visit. We will not only take into account the sheer number of nominations, but also what people say about each place. Do they source their food locally? Is the service excellent? What about the location? We're looking for the places that really go the extra mile to make a meal wonderful and it's going to be an incredibly tough job deciding. During November we will visit and enjoy a Sunday Lunch at each of the shortlisted places, I'll be blogging about each one and then announcing the winner towards the end of November!

There's still plenty of time to nominate, so make you sure you do (and pass it on to your friends! The more nominations we receive the better).