Feathers Inn on The Tyne.
One of the many interesting features of this weekends Bridges Festival was the ā7 Bridges Pop-up Restaurantā on Sunday at Baltic Square. Billed as āan unusual restaurant that ebbs and flows with the strong river tidesā I had to check it out!
There was a small queue at the mini-restaurant on Baltic Square, but Iām sure it would have been a lot busier if they had mentioned the kitchen was bring run by (the fabulous) The Feathers Inn!
After an amusing introduction with a faux-drink drunk straight from the Tyne – Fentimans ginger beer and dandelion and burdock (brilliant idea/combination), we were told by our hostess that the theme behind the experience was that of upstream/downstream from Newcastle.
Our first host represented the upstream – ingredients from everywhere west of Newcastle – bites of salmon, roe deer and vegetable pasty and a local doughnut with gooseberry sauce. Delicious and local – served in little āboatsā that we sent down the Tyne map overlaid on the table.
After ten minutes or so, we have downstream ingredients introduced by Lord Collingwood – caramelised onion sausage, Asian fishcakes, and a personal favourite, Workie Ticket chilli chocolate brownies – probably the best brownie Iāve ever had, gooey and wet inside, rich, chewy and chocolatey on top.
The Feathers Inn didnāt even charge for this – only requesting a small cover charge. If anyone hasnāt been to The Feathers – Iād strongly recommend it (full review to follow). Definitely hope to see more events like this at next yearās event!
