Starters & Puds, Newcastle

Its been closed down

A lovely little restaurant designed through the alcoves of what seems to be some kind of basement. This is very tastefully done though. The restaurant offers a number of small dishes (starters) to choose from to make up the main meal. The food is fantastic. however, the bill may come as a shock to some.

I've been to this restaurant twice now, and on both occasions I entered with high hopes. The location is excellent, very close to Monument and the Theatre Royal. In fact the proximity to the theatre was what pushed 3 friends and I to visit the first time, for a pre-theatre meal. Sadly although the food was great the service just wasn't up to scratch and we were forced to march up to the counter to pay after being left for 15 minutes waiting for the bill.
Undeterred I visited a second time but again we were ignored by the waiting staff for long periods of time. The food is fantastic but the service just doesn't match it. If you've got hours to spend then it's great but if you're in a hurry give it a miss.
As an aside, if you do go, order the banoffee pie with shot of chocolate milkshake, it is one of the best desserts I've ever had.

there is a good idea behind it but it does not work very well.

the decor is quant and subterranean, maybe a little cramped.

had some very nice sweet potato chips their but their casolet was a disappointment.

other dishes were OK, but nothing outstanding. portions are small. the concept is that each person orders several. this can get expensive for what you get.

my partner and I had two desserts. mine was nice, her's was terrible on a stale pastry base.

it could be good and quirky but needs work.

Nice idea but it really dosnt work. It’s not all starters, it’s just expensive small portions. Not a lot else to say. I was especially disapointed by the beef in tom sauce which was very expencive and as tuff as old boots. Should have gone to the Black Door.

Seems as if this place can’t make up its mind. It wants to be posh but can’t quite cut it.

The staff is not very attentive and not very well trained (like how to pour wine and let the guest have a taste of the wine when ordering £30+ bottle instead of just plunking it on the table)

Dress lightly if you sit close to the kitchen (near the toilets) as it gets very, very hot there.

Food is nothing special and the concept of starters might need to be reviewed by the management. The vegetarian “main” options are limited. The dessert menu is a bit confusing and ask for a friendly if blank-faced staff to share it with you.