Trifter

TYNESIDE was built on the heavy industries which have almost disappeared.  Their buildings have been put to other uses.  Hotel du Vin and Bistro is in the former HQ of the vanished Tyne Tees Steam Company.  It serves mainly British cuisine combined with a few Mediterranean flourishes.

The decor is that of a french fin-de-siecle café with exposed brickwork, wood furniture, homely pictures and oodles of empty wine bottles.  The table candles shed a gentle light that is helped by the soft accent spots that are provided by the imaginative lighting design.

A comfortable and cosy bar leads through to the bustling dinning room.  The welcome is friendly and efficient with a highly trained team providing the excellent table service.

Starters include an impressive pumpkin risotto or an excellent braised ox tongue.

Salmon fillet served with mashed potato on a bed of Savoy cabbage and glazed with a seasoned cream sauce is food to die for.

Many diners end their meal with the hot chocolate fondant in hazelnut ice cream.  The tiramisu: a cloud of chocolate, coffee and alcohol in a feather-light cream and encased in a sweet biscuit is another popular dessert in this bistro.

Hotel de Vin is open from noon to 14:00 on Mondays to Fridays, 12:30 to 14:30 on Saturdays and Sundays and 18:00 to 22:00 seven evenings a week.

There is a car park directly outside Hotel du Vin and it is fully accessible to disabled diners.

Hotel du Vin is in Allan House on City Road, just above the Ouseburn Valley and it can be contacted on 0191 229 2200.