In a city that welcomed 17.4 million tourists to it in 2014, surprisingly I often find myself in need of an escape. I love London, I truly do, but it’s easy to become overly ‘London-centric’ and to forget the delights that our other cities can offer, a mere few hours jaunt away. Besides…absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that – and so it was with great excitement on one sunny Saturday that I hopped on my Virgin East Coast train. My mini-break destination? Newcastle!
After sprucing myself up with a pair of heels and a dress, I headed down to their dining room excited and ready to eat. The room itself is elegant and contemporary, with an adjoining lounge and bar area with antique fireplace and comfy sofas for pre and post dinner drinks. After a quick glass of champagne in the lounge, we headed through and chose the 10 course tasting menu (£75) with accompanying wine flight (£45).
Dinner was a wonderful and terribly ample experience. I don’t think I’ve been more well fed in many an age. On top of the ten courses were amuse bouche, pre desserts and just the most delicious selection of breads with a seaweed butter that I’ll remember for a long time. I practically rolled out of the restaurant and don’t even get me started on matching wine flight. Let’s just say there was one wine for every course (yes…all 10) and that the cheeky chappy sommelier definitely poured more than tasting portions.
The menu proper opened with a tasting plate of succulent Lindisfarne Bloody Mary oysters, truffled egg with duck fat soldiers and oak smoked bacon, maple mayonnaise and apple sticks. The truffled egg was one of my favourite dishes of the evening – but then again, I’m a real sucker for truffle. Other highlights included an achingly fresh chilled broth of heritage carrots over Northumberland goat’s cheese. I also adored a dish of pork, langoustine, smoked bacon, blood sausage and apple. Both the langoustine and the pork were juicy to an extreme and tasted utterly and deliciously of themselves. The menu wasn’t flawless – I found the hot and sour ‘gel’ on the side of crab wontons and shitake overly sharp and their toffee popcorn panna cotta was overset – but it was undeniably good and incredibly enjoyable. The staff were a credit to the food too; just the right blend of attentive, friendly and efficient. They even treated me to a visit to the kitchens where I met the chefs and toured the various sections!
It was with sad heart that I left Jesmond Dene House Hotel. It had proved the perfect London get away spot – a calm, luxurious oasis in beautiful surroundings that could feed and water me well – whilst being close enough to the urbanity of Newcastle for when I fancied something more active. I’d come here again in a flash, both with my girlfriends for a girly getaway, or with a partner for something more romantic (well…one can dream).
To get here: The Virgin East Coast line runs between London and Newcastle every 30 minutes and takes approximately 3 hours! They’re doing a new food offering to keep you tiding over on the journey including a new bacon sandwich and various hot and cold sandwiches. Upgrade to first class for as little as £15 for more leg room and unlimited food and drink (plus bubbly on week days!). From the station it’s a 5 minute taxi to Jesmond Dene House (approx. £8).
https://www.virgintrainseastcoast.com/
Staying at Jesmond Dene House Hotel: Rooms cost from £120 per night and various packages are available, e.g. the Foodie Special (3 course dinner & breakfast included) for £200, the Shop Until You Drop (breakfast plus shopping vouchers in the room!) for £180 or the Romantic Retreat (12 red roses and Pol Roger champagne in the room, dinner and breakfast) for £310.
http://www.jesmonddenehouse.co.uk/
Jesmond Dene Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 2EY
0191 212 3000
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