Eating Out has gone a bit up-market this week.
We?re dining at a country manor, on the outskirts of Newcastle, in very pleasant surroundings indeed.
Horton Grange is in Berwick Hill, not far from Ponteland and Dinnington, and is definitely a place worth checking out.
I?ve cycled past it many a time when trying to lose the bulge that comes as a result of doing this page and had always wondered what it was like inside.
When a good friend of mine suggested having a catch-up dinner there, I didn?t need to think twice.
So it was we found ourselves at Horton Grange midweek.
It was a glorious sunny evening, making the setting all the more special.
We started by studying the menu in the lounge - a large area with comfy sofas, perfect for passing? the time.
Kerry and Stefan looked after us for the evening, and top marks to both of them.
We went for the a la carte selection, but there is also a Dine In Style set option, for ?29.50 a head, including a glass of champagne and canapes.
Back to a la carte, though, and my friend was intrigued by the parmesan and cheddar beignets with red pepper compote (?8.50), as she didn?t have a clue what beignets were (they are like fritters, basically).
I chose the risotto of smoked Finnan haddock, with parmesan and lemon oil (?9).
We were seated in the spacious restaurant which is basically a conservatory,? full of light, with splendid views into the grounds.
There were several other diners, and one couple made the most of the gardens after their meal, finishing their wine outside.
Both our choices proved a hit. The risotto was actually very light, perfect for a starter, and the fish was oozing with flavour. The dressing set it off wonderfully.
As for those fritters, sorry, beignets, they were? tasty and the portion, again, was spot on for a starter.
Other options for starters included crisp free range egg with English asparagus and Parma ham soldiers and pate de campagne.
For main course I had 8oz? bistro rump steak (?21).
I asked for it well-done, and it was cooked to perfection. With the steak, which was simply delicious, came slow roast tomatoes, a great complement, and wonderful thick cut chips, and a rich but not overpowering Bearnaise sauce. Stunning.
My friend decided on a first for her ? crispy duck leg confit (?21.50). Living life on the edge, it proved a winner all the way.? The duck was superb, as was the buttered French beans, gratin potato (I can never get my own gratin potatoes like these, she muttered) puy lentils and mustard cream. A winning combination through and through.
It usually takes a lot for me to convince my mate to have dessert - but she was enjoying her meal so much she decided she would simply "have to give it a go".
Her sticky toffee pudding with hot toffee sauce (?8) was gone in the blink of an eye ? she enjoyed it so much. It was the first time I had ever seen her finish a dessert.
My vanilla creme brulee (?7.50) was exquisite, with a light smattering of raspberries on top.
All in all a terrific meal. They do Sunday lunches as well, so I must give that a go some time.
The owners also have the Croft Hotel in Croft-on-Tees ? might just have to make the journey down there too.
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