As it took shape on The Side in Newcastle, Kenny Atkinson's new restaurant with wife Abbie promised something special - and now Solstice is set to deliver with a taster menu featuring such treats as Wagyu beef, oysters and caviar.
Solstice - named after the twice-yearly celestial event; with the midsummer solstice, marking the longest day, being this Tuesday, June 21 - is the eagerly-awaited second restaurant from Kenny, who runs the Michelin star House of Tides just further along the quayside. And it now occupies the former home of Abbie's bistro-style Violet's Cafe, itself a Bib Gourmand award-winner.
During the work to transform the venue into an intimate fine dining restaurant, the couple shared images on Instagram of its stylish look and sunshine gold interior features. Finally keen foodies can see a sample of restaurant's taster menu which offers first diners an idea of what to expect.
Read more: the North East's Michelin star successes
Solstice, which is now taking bookings from Wednesday, July 6, has capacity for just 14 customers and is set to offer a unique high-end dining experience for diners who can expect the very best of ingredients in a selection of snacks, savoury dishes and sweet treats. There will be a single taster menu for lunch and dinner - which is expected to alter regularly - and the cost is £140 per person.
The restaurant, which will be closed from Saturday to Monday, says: "Our tasting menu will consist of around 15-18 individual servings starting with a series of snacks, then on to savoury dishes from both land and sea, finishing with the sweet section of desserts and petits fours." The sample menu below, of tasting dishes and ingredients, shows what to expect.
Solstice sample tasting menu - £140
Caviar
Langoustine claw
Mackerel - gooseberry
Cod's roe - lemon verbena
Wagyu beef - bone marrow
Langoustine tail
Tomato - elderflower
Oyster - bonito - N25 caviar
Scallop - Thai basil - finger lime
Turbot - nori - mussels
Squab pigeon - foie gras - truffles
Lamb - red pepper - olive
Goats milk - hibiscus - rose
Honey - bergamot - bee pollen
Chocolate - mandarin
Lemongrass
Apple - vanilla
Violet - blackcurrant
Choux
From July 6, Solstice is open for dinner bookings from 7pm-8.30pm on Tuesdays to Fridays and then also for lunch bookings - noon to 1.30pm - on Fridays from July 15 (followed by the addition of Thursday lunchtimes from August 4) . See here. The restaurant tells hopeful diners: "If your selected time is not available or we have no availability for the date you have selected, please add yourself to our wait-list and we will contact you shall a reservation become available."
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