A bout of inclement weather can't stop the Grahamslaw clan from procuring their weekly foodie fix.
On an excessively blustery night amidst Storm Ciara, the Blackbird was a beacon of warmth in Ponteland. The traditional rural pub sits at the heart of the community and is a real hub for locals and out-of-town diners. The pub has all the hallmarks of a country favourite: brickwork fireplaces, slanty ceilings, snug booths and a cracking selection of frothy ales on keg and cask. The pub’s cosy aspect makes it a firm favourite in the colder weather whilst a large beer garden also lends itself well to the summer months. In addition, this is a gastropub with a burgeoning culinary reputation. Head chef Ralph and his team have devised a creative, frequently-changing seasonal menu which combines rustic, country pub favourites with various modern inflections.
The 35-seater dining area is set aside from the main bar in a vaulted cellar area which really evokes the historic inn’s 16th century heritage. We kicked off with a couple of pints of the good stuff along with an excellent bottle of Malbec from the Blackbird’s ‘compendium of drinks’. On the evening before Valentine’s Day, there was certainly a lot of love in the air for a sumptuous trio of starters. The prawn linguine was so good it could be found on both the starter/main course sections of the menu, enlivened by lemon, garlic, cherry tomatoes and mini capers. Lisa chose the Soup of the Day (leek & potato) with a fat hunk of sourdough toast whilst I polished a platter of gin-cured salmon with seasonal beetroot and horseradish cream.
Following up, Lisa continued in a similar hearty vein with the beer-battered haddock and chips with house mushy peas and tartare sauce. My son Jack chose the pheasant breast in a rich, gamey jus and paired impressively with swede fondant, wild mushrooms, pickled walnuts, spelt risotto, broccoli puree and sprout leaves. I meanwhile thought I’d test the Blackbird’s steak-frying credentials with an 8oz fillet served with all the trimmings. Suffice to say, this classy kitchen passed with flying colours.
On a Thursday evening, we were impressed to find the pub almost full and amongst the throngs of happy revellers was the pubs owner, Stuart Young, who was also dining out on an adjacent table. Stuart told us how the pub continues to move from strength to strength and it’s easy to see why.
Before leaving, we were even shown the upstairs ‘Minstrel Gallery’ a private function area, stylishly adorned in love hearts and red drapes to accommodate the fully booked Valentine’ overflow. With high-beamed ceilings, this is a character-filled space perfect for buffet-style events or private dining with a difference.
400 years on then, the Blackbird remains at the heart of Ponteland. Combining historic old English charm with modern hospitality sentiments and serving up pub grub so good it was well worth battling the elements.