Opened to acclaim from both casual visitors and the Newcastle business community, Antler brings a slice of Alpine life to the heart of the city.
Complete with wide screen TVs, live sport and a pool table and serving premium cocktails, the venue is primarily a bar, although it also does a fine food offering which makes it the perfect spot for an express lunch.
Inspired by the lodges of Austria and Switzerland, the décor looks really impressive. Wood panelled walls, roaring fires and leather booth seating areas create an atmosphere that is cosy and atmospheric whilst – not one – but three tanks of fresh Krusovice lager lend an edge of industrial chic. Admittedly then, Antler really looks the part, but what of the food?
Its menu offers a unique taste of the great outdoors with authentic dishes from the regions of Switzerland, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic. It’s mainly centred around Loaded Fries, stonebaked Alpine-style pizzas, house burgers and sharing platters alongside authentic specialities like Bratwurst, Viennese chicken schnitzel and Bavarian Beef Goulash.
We arrived on a very windy afternoon when fittingly, the weather wasn’t too removed from typical Alpine life and were warmly welcomed by Nick, who explained a little more about the fresh tank lager on offer. The beer is kept in stainless steel cylinders at sub-zero temperatures which ensures for almost “Brewery Freshness. When served in a chilled, Krusovice glass this offers the ultimate taste of refreshment and was the perfect way to begin.
Our food followed shortly thereafter with our starters consisting of Homemade Meatballs for me, and BBQ Sticky Chicken Wings for my dining companion. The meatballs were served with a choice of season peppercorn or spicy arrabiata sauce with crispy bacon rashers and side salad trimmings which looked very European. The chicken wings were right-side of crispy and tossed in a sticky BBQ glaze.
Our mains arrived shortly after alongside another tankload of Krusovice right on time. Jack chose the Antler Kebab; a mix of diced chicken and lamb presented stylishly on an open flatbread with red onion, tomato, chilli sauce and some lightly-pickled peppers.
Naturally, I couldn’t resist the Spicy Chilli Beef pizza; a large flat bread base stonebaked and topped with devilish jalapenos and mozzarella cheese.
Totally replete, we couldn’t stomach a dessert especially of a lunchtime but we did file a mental note to try the Apfelkuchen (German apple cake) and the Kasekuchen (German Gourmet Cheesecake) on a return visit.
In addition, Antler also offers a packed weekly programme of live entertainment; a quirky mix of live music, karaoke and cocktail classes. It’s also the perfect venue for an event, catering up to 640 people with an array of options including a huge, heated outdoor garden.
Now entering the colder months, I can really see this venue coming into its own -especially given its entirely new concept. The slopes of Swan House roundabout never looked so good!
