A record-breaking 120 venues are taking part in NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week this January, offering more choice than ever to diners wanting to take advantage of cut-price deals.
Among them are 11 newcomers to the twice-yearly event which are creating special menu deals to showcase what they do. They include both recently-opened and relaunched restaurants which have new cuisine, a new look or even a new home to show off.
Restaurant Week, running January 16-22, has become a hugely popular way for diners to try out top city restaurants without breaking the bank. Others like to revisit old favourites and among the venues taking part in the event are regulars, such as Blackfriars, Sachins and 21, which have been involved since its launch in 2011.
Read more: All the restaurants taking part in Restaurant Week this January
The organiser, business development district company NE1 Ltd, says that Restaurant Week delivered a £1.5m boost last year for participating businesses, with the seven-day run in August - the month of its second annual outing - breaking records for economic impact, with over £850,000 generated and more than 50,000 diners enjoying discount deals across the week.
On offer to customers over the week-long run this January is a mix of menu choices across the city and a pick of deals costing either £10, £15, or £20 per person. Some offers, however, apply to only certain days and times and not to the full week.
Here are the restaurants taking part in the for the first time this January, with links to their deals where contact information also can be found. How to book is fully explained below.
Newcastle Restaurant Week first-timers
St James’ Park - being hailed as a Premier League signing for Restaurant Week, the famous home of Newcastle United Football Club will be kicking off its debut event by offering diners a "carefully-curated tasting menu" in a pitch-view room where the club’s hospitality team will be serving up an immersive dining experience for both foodie and football fans.
NE1 suggests this may be the only chance that non-season ticket holders will have to enjoy the club experience and take in the views within the football stadium so it is expected to prove popular.
Its offer is available from the Thursday to Saturday of Restaurant Week. See the tasting menu on offer here.
Chart House - the former Charts on the Quayside underwent a major revamp last year and reopened with a Maritime Spice Route theme which is reflected in its decor and its menu, which captures the spice route flavours of the old Mediterranean, Arabia and South China Seas route.
Its offer is of two courses for £15 or three for £20. It's available from the Wednesday to Sunday: see the menu here.
Pepo - another relative newcomer to the social scene is this cocktail bar which opened last August in Pilgrim Street and is run by the owner of the adjacent Horticulture (which is also taking part in Restaurant Week). Pepo offers food too and it special deal is of sharing platters for £10 per person.
The deal applies on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: see the food on offer here.
Thali Tray @ Bealim House - the Indian street food favourite, having closed its former base in the Ouseburn, reopened in its new home at bar-restaurant Bealim House, Gallowgate, just before Christmas. It is offering two courses for £15.
See the menu - which is available during the week but only noon- 3pm on the Saturday - and booking details here.
Lui’s - the Italian in King Street on the quayside - which was previously called Sabas, and before that Sabatini - was reopened in November after being taken over by the grandson who ran the original Michelangelo’s on the site.
Read his story here. The resturant is offering two courses for £15 or three for £20 during the week. The menu can be seen here.
Missy Milieu's Bar & Bistro - this venue opened in September on The Side, offering all-day service as it morphs from chill-out days into a cocktail bar vibe by evening. During Restaurant Week it is offering two courses for £15 or three for £20.
See its menu here.
Liberty House - this restaurant-bar took over the historic Union Club in Westgate Road. It is offering two courses for £10 or three for £15: see here.
George’s Fish Shack - an independent fish restaurant in Grey's Quarter in Eldon Square is inviting diners to pick two courses for £15 or three for £20: see here.
The Hooch - this little cafe-bar on Newcastle Quayside has a sharing platter on offer for £10 during Restaurant Week which includes the likes of pakoras, haggis bon bons, halloumi fries, bread, olives and dips. See here.
Simply Greek Brunch House - Simply Greek having moved across the street to Cathedral Square in the Cloth Market, its new premises will be serving up a £10, £15 and £20 offers: find out more here.
Four Quarters - the retro arcade game bar, which opened in Dean Street in December, has its first Restaurant Week offer on of any pizza; a pint of Coors and four quarters for gaming for £10: see here.
Rachel Barlow, marketing and events manager at NE1 Ltd, said: "We urge people to book their favourites early and use this as the perfect opportunity to try somewhere new." She added that people often discover a new favourite restaurant during the event.
For the list of the 100-plus venues taking part in Restaurant Week see here. Those wanting to book can pick from the participating venues online, where their menus are displayed as are details of any limitations on when the offer applies so remember to keep an eye out to make sure the chosen deal is available on the day and at the time you want to go.
Then it's a just matter of clicking on your choice and again to download the voucher which is shown and which should be taken along to the restaurant on the date of the reservation. The actual booking must be made by phone or email as shown in the contact details given for the individual restaurant. See here.
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