Lots of events happening all the time at Blackfriars.
Blackfriars sent me their events listings for this new year – and what a busy year it is! Apart from their great deal this coming restaurant week – check out the many eats and treats going on throughout this year:
Burns Night (25 January, 7pm, Ā£30pp)
Join Blackfriars for a real āearthyā Burnsā dinner and treat your taste buds to the culinary delights of Scottish inspired cuisine and whisky. Toast one of Scotlandās most famous poets at the restaurantās hugely popular Burns Night, featuring traditional cock-a-leekie soup, haggis, neeps and tatties and cranachan, plus a dram at each course. A whisky tasting will then round off the eveningās proceedings.
Blackfriars LecturesĀ (28 January, 11am, Ā£25pp)
New Year lecture ā āEggs Benedict, Monks and their Foodā with Dr Giles Gasper, lecturer in Medieval History and Associate Director of Durham Universityās Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Dr Gasper will discuss the diverse culinary views held by various religious groups in medieval times, followed by an eggy lunch.
Bread Making for Beginners (4 February, 31 March, June 2, 10am-4pm, Ā£75pp)
Ever fancied trying your hand at bread making? Let Blackfriarsā master baker show you just how easy it is to make proper artisan bread that is both delicious and nutritious. By the end of day youāll have produced a number of breads, both savoury and sweet, to eat or take home together with recipe cards for your own home bread making.
First Tuesday Winter Wine Tasting (7 February, 7pm, Ā£32.50pp)
For all the budding wine enthusiasts out there, come along to Blackfriarsā wine tasting event hosted by Majestic, who will take you on a fun and informative wine tasting journey. The event also includes a glass of fizz on arrival and a three course supper.
Dinner Party Cooking (11 February, 10 March, 10am-4pm, Ā£49pp)
Whether youāre an enthusiastic amateur or an absolute beginner, enjoy a fun and interactive cooking session with one of the restaurantās chefs who will show you just how easy it is to prepare a delicious multi-course gastronomic feast. Each participant will be encouraged to prepare various elements of a meal using fresh, local and seasonal produce which will all be brought together for you to enjoy at the end of the Workshop over a glass of wine.
Valentineās After DarkĀ (14 February)
When it comes to dining out on Valentineās Day, make a date with Blackfriars, voted the sixth most romantic restaurant in the UK. It offers an intimate dining experience, combined with superb cuisine, fine wines and an attentive service. Diners can also enjoy its exclusive Valentineās Champagne cocktail for one night only.
Little Monksā Cookery ClubĀ (14 February, 4 April, 22 June, 10am-3pm, Ā£29pp)
For all little cooks aged 8-12 years old who like to make their own food in the kitchen. These popular sessions are all about making cooking fun and giving your children some confidence in the kitchen. Blackfriars will show them just how easy it is to make delicious and nutritious nibbles and super snacks.
Smart Cookies Cookery ClubĀ (15 February, 5 April, 11 April, 10am-3pm, Ā£29pp)
For kids aged 11 plus who have a burgeoning interest in all things culinary, come along to our Smart Cookies Cookery Club. This fun and informal class will showcase some simple, healthy kids classics such as macaroni cheese, meat balls, roast chicken, sticky ribs, fish cakes or lasagne.
Food and Drink MatchingĀ (1 March, 7-10pm, Ā£65pp)
There are so many great combinations of food and drink, from Guinness with oysters and iced Vodka with smoked salmon, to Port with Stilton to coffee with chocolate. Let Blackfriars take you through some of their favourites – the obvious and the surprising! In this session theyāll produce a number of different dishes for you to try, some cooked right in front of you, together with the drinks that complement them the best.
Artisan Bread MakingĀ (3 March, May 5, 7 July 10am-4pm, Ā£95pp)
Ever fancied trying your hand at proper bread making? Let Blackfriarsā master baker show you just how easy it is to make proper artisan bread that is both delicious and nutritious. By the end of day youāll have produced a number of breads including, for example, a simple sourdough loaf, rustic soda bread, Northumberland millersā loaf, Roman spelt bread, a fruit loaf and something sweet.
Ladies First Tuesday Lunch Club ā Wardrobe PersonalitiesĀ (6 March, Ā£25pp)
Sara Macleod introduces her new exclusive Boutique in Old Eldon Square, teaming up with image consultant Kathryn Clarke, to discover the secrets of sensational dressing. The event also includes a glass of fizz on arrival and a three course lunch with a glass of wine.
Mothering SundayĀ (18 March, Ā£17 for three courses)
Treat your mum to the best Sunday roast in town. Using the finest in local produce, Blackfriarsā Sunday lunch menu boasts a mouth-watering selection of Hadrian Heritage beef, Northumbrian lamb and succulent pork served with Yorkshire pudding, fresh seasonal vegetables, crunchy roast potatoes and lashings of gravy.
Vernal Equinox Medieval BanquetĀ (23 March, 7pm, Ā£39pp)
Summer Solstice Medieval BanquetĀ (22 June, 7pm, Ā£39pp)
Autumn Equinox Medieval BanquetĀ (21 September 2012, 7pm, Ā£39pp)
To mark the Spring Equinox, longest day of the year, and the autumn equinox, Blackfriars will host an authentic medieval banquet served by monks and town wenches. Arrive in medieval costume and enjoy a sumptuous banquet and live entertainment.
Family Day – Easter TreatsĀ (24 March, 11am-3pm, adults Ā£39 / children Ā£15)
Join Blackfriars for a day of Easter fun as they show you and your child just how easy it is to make your own hand-decorated Easter eggs, hot-cross buns and chocolate bunnies. Lunch and wine (soft drinks for children) are also included.
Ladies First Tuesday Lunch Club ā Bread MakingĀ (3 April, 11am, Ā£25pp)
Bread expert, Adrian Clarke will show you just how easy it is to bake your own bread and fill the house with mouth-watering aromas. This taster session will show you the basics of proper bread-making with one of the regionās most enthusiastic bakers. A glass of fizz on arrival and a three course lunch with wine is also included.
Smart Cookies Cookery ClubĀ (5 & 11 April, 10am-3pm, Ā£29pp)
For kids aged 11 plus who have a burgeoning interest in all things culinary, come along to our Smart Cookies Cookery Club. This fun and informal class will showcase some simple, healthy kids classics such as macaroni cheese, meat balls, roast chicken, sticky ribs, fish cakes or lasagne.
Medieval Cooking WorkshopĀ (21 April, 10am-4pm, adults Ā£39 / children Ā£15)
Fresh from filming the āGreat British Bake-Offā, Caroline Yeldham, who is one of the countryās foremost food historians, will be hosting this fascinating workshop. Learn about medieval cooking, table manners and etiquette whilst devouring an authentic medieval gastronomic meal made right in front of you in the same surroundings enjoyed by friars over 700 years ago.
Beer and Food MatchingĀ (27 April, 7pm, Ā£45pp)
Definitely one for the pint lovers! Let Blackfriars introduce you to some of the finest brews from the North East region and beyond, accompanied by some delicious cuisine. Some of the finest food on earth is matched better with beer than wine! Grape vs grain; why do we drink beer in pubs and wine in restaurants? Things must change and the beer revolution starts hereā¦
Whisky DinnerĀ (29 July, 2 November, 7pm, Ā£45pp)
Enjoy the very best in locally-sourced seafood and some of the finest whiskies from north of the border on what promises to be one of the highlights to your summer. A six-course menu of locally-sourced seafood, created by Blackfriars Head Chef Troy Terrington, to match with some of Scotlandās finest liquid gold ā truly a pairing to be tried.
CallĀ (0191) 261Ā 5945Ā for details.
