Trifter

JANE, Duchess of Northumberland recreated and restored the Gardens of Alnwick Castle. Next she conceived the Treehouse Restaurant in the Garden.  Imagine enjoying a first-class meal, accompanied by music from the Northumbrian Small Pipes while being high up in the trees.

It is a convincing fairy-tale fantasy with roots and branches snaking between the tables.  There are giant chairs and some cosy candlelit nooks.  The serving team are organised and have been selected for the personality and proficiency.  The Treehouse always has a friendly and efficient welcome.

A trio of melons: Gallia, Honeydew and water with blueberries, raspberries and a sweet blackcurrant and kirsch sorbet makes for an unusual starter. The Hermione’s Brinkburn Cheese salad with a tomato tapenade, chickpeas, peppery salad and crotons is very tasty as well as being sourced locally.

The Treehouse serves a light monkfish mousse in pancetta with mashed sage, peas and sun blushed tomatoes. The chicken breast served with fondant potato, mushrooms, parsley and a truffle sauce is to die for.

Desserts range from sticky toffee pudding to a local cheeseboard. I liked the summer berries with caramelized hazelnut meringue.  The vanilla pod cheesecake with a home-made lemon and mead curd with a blueberry smoothie is equally good.

There is a large car park and despite being high up in the trees, the Treehouse is fully accessible to disabled diners.

It is open from 11:30 to 14:30 from Mondays to Saturdays and noon to 14:30 on Sundays.  There is an early bird menu between 17:00 and 18:15 on Monday to Wednesday and it has evening opening from 18:30 to 21:30 on Thursday to Saturday.  It can be contacted on 01665 511852.