Having totally over-indulged over the Easter period, I decided to continue in a similar vein by taking an old business friend out for lunch at Jesmond Dene House.
The Garden Room is part of the restaurant which really comes into its own in the springtime and boasts some lovely views out over the hotel’s quaint English gardens and sun-dappled lawns.
To reflect the change in the weather, the restaurant frequently updates its menu and we were looking forward to a new selection of modern British a la carte dishes.
Being open to both hotel guests and non-residents alike, there always appears to be a steady murmur about the dining area and today proved no different. The restaurant offers all-day dining from 12 O’clock onwards and isn’t constrained to fixed sittings which is a huge bonus. Diners are free to drop in as they fancy and it’s this flexibility which makes it great for an informal lunch or business tete-a-tete.
Nicely settled in, we sipped on a crisp bottle of Sauvignon Blanc whilst looking over a menu brimming with fresh new ideas.
A real haven for foodies, dishes often feature a number of unique combinations. For instance, starters included the Hand Dived Scallops with Smoked Bacon, Puy Lentils and Garden Apple alongside the Braised Pig Cheek with Homemade Black Pudding and Pickled Plums.
We deliberated over these for some time before eventually choosing the melt-in-the-mouth Chicken & Duck Terrine with Pickled Mushrooms and the Steamed Mussels in a White Bean Sauce with chunks of Salami.
For my main course, a tranche of Roasted Cod sat atop a bed of Sautéed Spinach and Crushed Potato which was surrounded by a moat of Curried Mussels. A smartly presented dish, this looked great and tasted even better with the curry sauce proving a tangy and aromatic accompaniment.
Other eye-catching main plates included the Roast Venison Saddle with Bacon and Celeriac and the Whole Lemon Sole with Pink Pepper Butter, yet my business pal couldn’t be tempted away from the 250g Fillet Steak with Peppercorn Sauce which he confessed had been winking at him all along!
You see, Jesmond Dene also do the basics very well and even offer a “Simple Food Menu” featuring hearty classics such as the Club Sandwich, Cod & Chips or Aberdeen Angus Cheeseburger.
What really impressed us about the food was its rich appearance. Bold, evocative colours really leap out at you from the plate and clearly demonstrate the freshness of the ingredients.
Desserts were similarly inviting and well worth the extra calories. The Dark Chocolate Sphere is a signature dish whatever the season and provided a memorable finale. A jug of warm chocolate sauce was poured by our server over a scoop of Salted Caramel Ice Cream which created an orb-like effect and a real sense of drama. Across the table, yours truly waded in to an epic Rhubarb Cheesecake on a Shortbread, bisuit-y base with a Cinnamon-tinged Vanilla Ice Cream. Woweeee!
From this visit, it’s clear that Jesmond Dene continue to showcase their culinary flair with bold and innovative new dishes. Whether you’re a true foodie or simply looking for a new place to visit, this place is a real must try especially going into the – dare I say it – warmer weather!
