City newcomer Missy Milieu's is gearing up to take part in its first Newcastle Restaurant Week with a menu designed to impress.
The bistro-bar just opened in September on Amen Corner, opposite Newcastle Cathedral, serving an all-day menu in vibrant, colourful surroundings which are out to create a chill-out atmosphere by day and a cocktail bar vibe at night. And, with this being its first opportunity to take part in NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week, it is keen to make the most of the chance to show off what it calls it own twists on classic dishes.
And that means the likes of a bhaji starter combining black pudding with garnishes of apple shavings, mint and pickled carrot and, among the desserts, a coconut panna cotta with unusual combinations of mango salsa, including a touch of chilli, topped with a pineapple crisp and passion fruit pearls to add an extra pop of flavour.
Read more: New restaurants taking part in Newcastle Restaurant Week for the first time
Its special deal on offer throughout Restaurant Week, which runs from January 16-22, is of two courses for £15 or three for £20 and sous chef Michael Keegan has been busy working on a wide selection of dishes from the menu, including such mains as slow-cooked featherblade of beef which comes with mustard mash, crispy kale and sweet carrot.
For him, it's all about creating a range of flavours, textures and colours in each dish, which combine to create something unique and that attention to detail is also evident in the presentation which he thinks just as important. Often there's a separate element - such as a small jug of extra red wine jus with the beef - which serving staff add at the table with a theatrical flourish, which fits in with the bistro's edge of glamour that includes floral motifs and table settings with turquoise glasses and gold cutlery.
And its take on classics extend to its cocktails menu which includes a ginger and plum Old Fashioned; burnt orange and honey Manhattan and a chocolate and orange Espresso Martini. Other drink options include craft beers, world wine and, among the hot drinks, barista coffee from Tynemouth Coffee Co.
The 'Milieu' of the bistro's name is an old Victorian word for social gathering, explains its director Matthew Settle but the venue is quickly becoming known simply as Missy's. He has been delighted with the impact the restaurant has had since it opened, bringing fresh life to a building which over the years was occupied by Solano's and Rockafella Restaurant but had been closed since 2016.
He hopes Restaurant Week will help build its reputation further as more diners discover what's on offer. Missy Milieu's usual closing days are Mondays and Tuesdays, and Wednesdays too in January, but Matthew says it will opening all week, especially for the event. In addition, its Sunday lunch also will be available in its special two courses for £15 or three for £20 deal.
While bookings have been busy for the latter part of the week, he says there is more availability on those extra days, Monday to Wednesday when it will be opening its doors from 4pm until late. Other days will see it open at its usual time of 11am.
He said diners are in for a "reasonably priced but premium dining experience" with plans to continue to offer good deals in coming weeks. He praised Restaurant Week organiser, NE1 Ltd, for being very supportive of the venture ever since the initial idea of launching the new venue in a historic area of the city, which is also close to Newcastle Castle.
Rachel Barlow, marketing and events manager at NE1, welcomed the addition of Missy Milieu's to Restaurant Week which she said has seen a record 120 venues join up to take part. Among them are other newcomers including Chart House, Pepo, Thali Tray, Lui’s and Newcastle United Football Club. For more information about the week see here.
For details on how to book Missy Milieu's see here. Normal hours at the bistro, whose usual menu includes the likes of breakfast bagels and crumpets, lunchtime grills and evening sharing plates, are until midnight, with late opening up to 2am on Friday and Saturday nights. See here.
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