Hello :)

Was after some recommendations please! Want to treat my boyfriends parents to a meal for Christmas but he and they live up near Newcastle but I don't , so have no idea what nice places there are to eat in up there! And he's only given me one suggestion which looks a bit like a chain restaurant - which wasn't really what I was looking for. ( thinks he's done that so I don't have to spend a lot of money )

So any help will be very much appreciated!!

Thanks , Kate

Will help if I can - what sort of food are you looking for? Did you want City Centre, on the outskirts or a little way out (Countryside perhaps?)  Newcastle has an amazing range of eating out places, for instance, just outside of the city centre, in Jesmond, there is a great choice of very good Italian restaurants, plus a lovely "boutique hotel" with great Restaurant called "Jesmond Dene Lodge", great for a special occassion type meal (they even do superb afternoon teas including champagne if you want the effect at a little less cost).

Thank you - love the idea of the boutique hotel! They live in Chester le Street , do you know how far roughly it is from there? Don't want them to have to travel too far if possible.

As for what sort i'm looking for - I don't really know cause haven't met them yet , but by the sounds of it they eat near enough any style :)

Hi again,

OK that opens up other possible, as they are close to Durham too.  Charming and very atmospheric (and good food) is Lumley Castle Hotel (not the Medieval Banquetting bit, but the restaurant)  this is on the edge of Chester Le Street, 14C Castle converted into hotel, suits of Armour in the corridors etc.  Typical hotel restaurant food with some emphasis on local produce.  In Durham itself, if you want something much more modern is Fat Buddha, which is a mix of lots of different Eastern Cuisines, everything very modern and shiny inside, lots of dangling chain curtains, glass illuminated walkways etc, v. popular for celebrations, think it has a time limit for under 12s (just in case you have any kids in the party).

  Or, as said before Jesmond Dene House, which (surprisingly :) ) is in Jesmond Dene, just about a mile outside of Newcastle City Centre, restaurant very upmarket, lovely food (not enormous portions!) very good staff and lovely location.  Not far from there is the Fishermans Lodge, which is right in the centre of Jesmond Dene (a sort of countryside area in the city) it was long considered to be Newcastle's best Restaurant, until "21" came along, it has recently changed hands and I haven't been since, but still getting glowing reports.  Or there is 21, (21 Queen St) run by the local Celeb chef Terry Leybourn, lots of awards etc, this is right on the Quayside in the City Centre, so surrounded by lots of bars etc.  Further out of town, and with excellent Chinese food is the Dragon I, food terrific but not a lot of atmosphere.  Also much choice of Chinese in Stowell St which is  Newcastle's China Town.

Food for thought for you here?  Will dig out phone numbers for the ones you want.

Chester le Street is about 10 mins from Durham city centre, and about 25/30 mins from Newcastle (depending on time of day!)

Just want to say thank you to gwen for the Jesmond Dene House recommendation. Have got a voucher for afternoon tea for two in a lovely little gift pack. very very pleased :)

Glad ot have been of help!  The tea will be much enjoyed, I am sure.