Inkeeping with that old adage "Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper", I met up with an old business friend for Breakfast at Jesmond Dene House.
The independently-owned boutique hotel is a gorgeous venue whilst its conservatory dining area is the perfect place to find a spot of clarity ahead of a frenetic working day. The hotel offers a fine continental/cooked selection which is available to both visiting guests and inhouse residents alike.
On arrival, we were greeted warmly and weren’t surprised to find a throng of business folk tucking in and starting their day off right. We kicked off with piping hot pots of tea and coffee alongside a rack of super-tasty sourdough toast whilst looking out over the hotel’s leafy surroundings.
Continental buffet goodies can be found in the adjacent room and we were both impressed by the freshness of the fare on offer. Guests have the choice of freshly squeezed juices alongside fresh fruit often of the seasonal persuasion. There’s also a selection of cereals, yoghurts, cured meats, granola and cheeses, handpicked from Britain and the continent. Best of the lot, is a spread of freshlybaked Viennoiserie alongside some very tempting blueberry and chocolate muffins.
Alternate options are all cooked to order and again offer much choice. Choose a suitably stodgy Full English complete with dry cured back bacon, Cumberland sausage and Stornaway black pudding or go lighter with the grilled Craster kipper salad or the insta-friendly smashed avocado and poached eggs on toasted sourdough. Other specialities include Eggs (Florentine, Benedict or Montreal) alongside smoked haddock with poached eggs and lemon essence.
In the end, we both settled on the wispy smoked salmon with scrambled eggs and chives which was just a crack of the pepper mill away from being a sumptuous dish and may I add not the unhealthiest option!
All cooked dishes are priced reasonably at £18.00, which including a full continental breakfast selection, we agreed was good value.
Served 7.00am 10.00am Monday Friday and 7.30am 10.30am on weekends, breakfast at Jesmond Dene House offers the perfect way to start the day whether you’re a business professional or simply looking to catch up with friends or family.
It’s just a pity I didn’t get the prince or the pauper part right!