In tribute to my daughter, Holly, moving to the Bordeaux region for University, this month we thought wed sample something of the French flavour.
Côte Brasserie Newcastle is one of the citys few French restaurants and has really offered diners something different since opening little over two years ago. Occupying the former Barclays Bank site in the heart of the city, striped canopies create a distinctly French exterior whilst inside the dining area exudes that trademark brasserie chic.
On a Friday lunchtime in the lead up to Christmas, the place was absolute bustling with the threecourse lunchtime offering and extensive wine list clearly proving a hit with punters. The restaurants prestige set menu showcases a tantalising array of brasserie classics and offers good value with two courses available for £15.95 and three for £18.95.
In addition to this, theres a 35-bottle strong wine list with an impressive 14 of these available by the glass. We picked out a lovely, smooth Bordeaux rouge along with a bowl of spicy olives and pretzelstyle garlic bread to pick on. Following on, I chose the traditional moules simmered in Breton cider with bacon lardons, crème fraiche and tarragon. Meanwhile, my son Jack a true trencherman- sought gallic stodge in the bread-crumbed calamari sautéed in garlic, lemon and parsley with tartare sauce.
Main courses also found their mark. Jack chose the pork tenderloin another prestige menu staple which was greatly enjoyed, served with gratin potato, braised savoy cabbage, apples, thyme and Calvados jus. With many big flavours vying for attention, this was when the wine really came into play and our bottle of rouge set off my rib eye steak frites exquisitely. An extra helping of roasted winter vegetables completed this pretty picture.
This had already been a superb meal yet we rounded off with real aplomb with a pair of tabletappingly good desserts. Big kid Jack chose the Coupe Noire, vanilla ice cream drenched in warm dark chocolate sauce whilst I opted for the Crème Caramel traditionalset vanilla pod custard with dark caramel and cream.
Inspired by restaurants in Paris, Côte Brasserie champions all-day dining with a sumptuous A la Carte menu also available in addition to a cheaper lunch/early evening menu with two courses from £10.95. This is also a venue which likes to shake up its offering with ever-changing seasonal specials sure to feature some cockle-warming favourites heading into the Winter months.
At Côte Brasserie then, we have something of a rarity. A chain restaurant with that added je ne sais quoi!