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57 Low Lights
North Shields Fish Quay
NE30 1HF
0191 270 8441
thestaithhouse.co.uk
Every day 11am – 11pm
Accessibility: Yes
[SECOND VISIT: In March 2014 The Staith House, to whom I gave four stars in January, launched a monthly tasting evening in conjunction with Bon Coeur Fine Wines. I was invited because the chefs - former Masterchef finalist John Calton and his business partner James Laffan - wanted to show off their skills.
It was a three-hour, seven-course, six-wine gourmet evening to remember, with delicate crab in blood orange mayonnaise and fennel, a fish course of skate and sole, steamed in fish stock on a feather bed of samphire, caper and sprouting broccoli, and an incredible plate of lamb – shoulder, tongue, belly, fillet, in fact, done so many ways (it even had a round of melted ewe’s cheese), I half expected a poached eyeball to wink at me.
This grande bouffe was only £50 a head, including the wine.
You really should book next month’s event (April 10th), because this could be the best value, most honest, earthy, freshest tasting-menu on offer in our region.]
When I reviewed Irvin’s Brasserie on North Shields Fish Quay last year, one of my few real complaints was the terrible view. The big picture windows overlooked the rubbish-strewn car park of a rundown old boozer called The New Dolphin.
I’m sure the owners of Irvin’s were delighted when The New Dolphin was transformed into The Staith House; what might make them less happy is that their new neighbour brings some serious competition.
