From the arrival of a new festive menu to the return of a popular outdoor addition - Christmas at Ponteland pub' the Blackbird' is sure to be something special this year
With a cosy interior’ roaring fires and heated outdoor seating’ the Blackbird is certainly a venue which lends itself to festive dining. Pair this with a team of expert chefs and the result is a Christmas menu that ticks all the boxes’ mixing traditional favourites with modern flavours. Dishes such as chicken liver parfait’ treacle-cured salmon’ seasonal roast turkey and caramelised onion and thyme tarte tatin means there’s sure to be something for everyone – and that’s without even looking at desserts.
Festive treats this year include a traditional Christmas pudding and gingerbread panna cotta’ or diners can choose between rich’ dark chocolate mousse or white chocolate and cherry parfait. Of course’ if a private party is on the menu’ then the venue’s talented chefs can even pull together a bespoke selection for guests to enjoy.
Groups of up to 30 can dine in the pub’s upstairs Minstrel Gallery’ home to a Tudor fireplace’ exposed brick walls and quirky portraiture.
And with the return of the festive tipi this year’ there’s even more choice for those looking to host a special celebration.
Decorated for Christmas and with outdoor heaters’ the tipi is a fantastic location for larger parties – with a new street food kitchen for diners to make the most of.
Christmas isn’t the only thing to look forward to at the pub’ however’ with big plans in place to ring in the New Year in style.
Diners can enjoy a whole host of specials on the menu from midday’ while those who stay into the evening can get into the party spirit with a DJ’ a saxophone player and’ of course’ fireworks. And the Blackbird is wasting no time in making plans for 2022′ with the return of the annual Ponteland Wheelbarrow Race on 1 January. xCheer on racers as they embark on the mile-long route and’ with teams starting and finishing at the Blackbird’ why not continue the celebration past the finish line?
The street food kitchen will be open all day serving pizzas and barbecue’ along with tipples and a selection of hot drinks available at the tipi bar.
Stuart Young of the Northumberland Pub Company’ which operates the Blackbird’ believes the festive programme will be a huge hit. “Christmas is always a really special time at the Blackbird and the entire team gets in the spirit of the season'” he said.
“Our festive menu is always very popular and our chefs have outdone themselves this year’ with a huge selection on offer.
“We are delighted to have the tipi returning after it was so popular in the summer months and it will now be a permanent fixture at the pub’ so our customers can enjoy it year-round.”