A new year is a time for new starts and with growing teams, extended hours and an exciting events programme on the horizon, three North East venues are showing no signs of stopping.
The Blackbird at Ponteland and The Northumberland Arms at Felton – which are operated by the Northumberland Pub Company – have built strong reputations for their delicious dishes, attention to detail and impeccable service.
Along with sister business Kennedy and Rhind, each venue has the same high standards when it comes to its food offering while remaining unique in its own right – something which the Northumberland Pub Company has worked hard to achieve.
And all three venues made sure to start 2022 on a high, with a whole host of traditional Scottish dishes and entertainment on the menus last month as part of their Burns Night celebrations.
While this was something of a first for artisan bakery Kennedy and Rhind in its plans to branch out to evening dining, it certainly won’t be the last.
Having extended its opening hours to seven days a week and securing an alcohol license late last year, fans of the café and shop will be pleased to hear that there will be more themed nights on the horizon.
In fact, plans are already in place for their next event on Valentine’s Day, with chef David Kennedy pulling out all the stops with an impressive menu on offer to give couples a night to remember.
But diners don’t have to rely on the venues’ events calendars to have something to celebrate, with function spaces to suit birthdays, christenings, private dining and even weddings. The Minstrel Gallery at the Blackbird has always been a favourite for special occasions thanks to its charming features and quirky décor, but the venue can also cater for larger events now that the outdoor tipi is here to stay year-round. And for those envisioning their plans taking place a little further north, the Garden Room at The Northumberland Arms is a bright and airy space which can be transformed to suit every event.
While celebrating special occasions may be nothing new for The Northumberland Arms, a new chef in the kitchen is certainly putting his own spin on things.
Award winning Adam Westgarth has joined the team at the popular boutique hotel, with two decades of fine dining skills under his belt and an unbridled passion for flavour which is already proving popular with diners. However Adam isn’t the only new kid on the block this year, with Clair Potts stepping into the role of general manager and further strengthening the team with a wealth of hospitality experience. And there’s never been a better time to visit the venue thanks to a special offer for those planning a February break, with dinner thrown in free of charge for bed and breakfast bookings.
Stuart Young, of the Northumberland Pub Company, believes all three venues will go from strength to strength this year. “We may just be at the start of the year but there are some really exciting developments in the works which I’m sure will be very popular with our customers across the North East and beyond,” he said.
“Although our venues are exploring new avenues this year, we’ll still be delivering the same top quality service throughout – whether a customer is visiting us for a special occasion or just to enjoy a delicious Sunday roast.”