The Bluebell

Food (no stars) 
Ambience ✪✪ 
Service ✪✪✪ 

Jesmond Vale 
Newcastle upon Tyne 
NE2 1PH 

0191 232 1774 
http://the-blue-bell.com 

There are several good reasons to grant anonymity. Journalists and police officers need to look after their sources if they want them to remain useful; in the world of counter-espionage revealing an identity could put an informer at risk; in my case, I stay secret because I don’t want any special treatment – no freebies or backhanders for me. 

However sometimes it’s best to grant someone anonymity just because you’re a generous-hearted sort of chap and you want to spare them embarrassment. That’s why I won’t mention the name of the person who suggested visiting this pub, or the chef responsible for the meal I endured as a result. 

I love getting recommendations for new places. It’s one of the perks of this job, and so I don’t want to put anyone off from getting in touch with a hot tip from the culinary underground. Many a culinary diamond has been unearthed after a solicitous email or DM. Sadly The Bluebell proved not to be one of these.

Goats on the Roof

Food (no stars)
Ambience ✪✪ 
Service ✪ 

Goats on the Roof
Fontburn
Ewesley 
Northumberland 
NE61 4PH 

10am-4:30pm 
Thurs - Sun, plus
bank and school holidays  

[Please note:  Since this review was published, Goats on the Roof has changed ownership and reopens this Easter 2014 (weekends only).  Please feel free to publish your comments here if you visit]

The concept is great. It has a roof with a hoof: a herd (well, two or three) tiny bagot goats graze on top of the building. 

You can watch them climb up a little ladder on the side. If you’ve got children, it should be a perfect stop-off for lunch on the tourist road from Hexham and Ponteland to Rothbury. It’s set on a farm with lots of other rare breeds to look at too, with a playground and a nice view of the Fontburn reservoir. 

Mrs Diner and I came mid-week. The website had promised “soups, sandwiches, salads, and hearty Northumbrian food”, as well as a “wide selection of home made cakes, scones and other scrumptious delights." 

The only “hearty Northumbrian food” available at 1pm was a “summer salad” of feta and green beans, at £6, and some mushroom quiche. Real Northumbrians don't eat quiche.