Learn more insights from Wanderboat AI.
A delightfully peaceful and rural setting, this intimate restaurant can be found in Northumberland just a short drive outside of Newcastle.
It was our wedding anniversary and I take reviewing restaurants (and any business) very seriously indeed!
Being a 1 Michelin star restaurant this review has to take into consideration, not the quality of food but the overall dining experience and ambience. - This is especially true when you consider the final bill of almost £300 for 2 people.
So why only 4 stars you might wonder 🤔. Well, let’s cut to the chase and give a summary of the highs and lows of the day!
The food was delightful. Overall it was an array of delicious tastes, textures and treats for the taste buds. There were certainly more dishes that stood out for the right reasons than those that didn’t. We instantaneously loved both mushroom dishes…. in fact I’d go as far to say I’ve never tasted mushrooms as good as that!
Actually for us, we both believe the vegan aspect of all the dishes was unbelievably more attractive, appealing and delicious than the meat aspects…. and that’s saying a lot coming from 2 meat eating carnivores.
Quite surprisingly, my personal favourite dish was the pickled beetroot with cheddar and walnuts. It was literally one of the nicest combo of foods I have ever experienced.
Okay, so now onto the few negatives and main reasons for dropping a point. I’ll keep this brief, as although they didn’t spoil the overall occasion, this was probably because we didn’t allow them to and instead chose to embrace the experience.
Firstly, when you pay what most normal folk would consider vast sums of money for a culinary dining extravaganza you certainly expect an environment that’s fitting for the occasion. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t on our side and we were faced with beaming rays of sunshine and beads of sweat. - Yes, we were in the sunny side of the restaurant with literally no way of shielding ourselves from the damaging UV rays of light! - So, in summary, a restaurant that probably takes circa £4-5k per sitting with around 23 diners paying in the realms of £150-£250 per person simply can’t afford to put up a few blinds for the poor folk unfortunate enough to sit at the weather-end of the room. - This was our main reason for dropping a point because we think it’s simply unforgivable. However, it must be stated that we still tried to NOT let it dampen our spirits… albeit whilst my wife fanned herself with the menu in an attempt to dry the beads of sweat from her brow.
90% of the food was spectacular but it shouldn’t go without mentioning that the main pork dish was a tad underwhelming. The pork was a bit overdone, dry and chewy.
Most of our desserts were phenomenal, but typically the last 3 probably should have been the first (as they weren’t as sweet), and this wasn’t helped when my wife found a hair in one of them 🤦♂️. Also, simultaneously neither of us enjoyed that one particular taster (meadowsweet canolee) and likened it to the smell our cat emits from her rear end 🤔.
So hey ho there we are… just like the day was long, so is my review! The dishes actually took around 3 and a half hours to finish, so by the end I was seriously worried that I might need a wheelchair to get out… I started losing blood flow to my legs, not only because I’m tall but because of the sunburn to my legs!
On the whole the staff were great, but we were slightly puzzled by the waiter’s lack of empathy when told of the hair discovered by my wife 🤷♂️.
We paid and went on our merry way. Our taste buds had been treated, my bank balance depleted somewhat and I was left wondering would I return!? Yes, probably once a year if I could be assured I would experience...
Read more
Pine at Vallum is an absolute gem. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel genuinely welcomed and cared for — warm, engaging, and incredibly knowledgeable about every aspect of the experience, from the food and drinks to the fascinating stories behind them.
The restaurant itself is immaculate — beautifully styled and thoughtfully furnished, creating a refined and inviting atmosphere that immediately sets the tone for something special.
We enjoyed a thoughtfully curated sample menu that was nothing short of sensational. As a vegetarian, I often find fine dining limited — but here, every dish was bursting with flavour, creativity, and precision. It was genuinely some of the best vegetarian food I’ve ever had. My partner’s preferences (no seafood or mushrooms) were honoured without fuss, and the tailored dishes delivered the same exceptional standard.
The wine pairings were exquisite and perfectly matched to each course — clearly selected with real care and insight. Beyond the menu itself, the aperitifs and accompaniments were also absolutely delicious, each adding another layer of enjoyment to the evening.
A special thank you to Vanessa, whose drink knowledge was incredibly impressive. Her recommendations were spot-on, and she kindly let me sample a fine sake after I was blown away by the first one she suggested — a generous and memorable touch.
Every detail of the evening felt personal and intentional. Pine isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an experience — thoughtful, welcoming, and unforgettable. We...
Read more
A 20 minute drive out to the West of Newcastle along the old military road takes you to Vallum farm. There is a collection of units that were part of the farm. In the upstairs of the old cow shed is the most delightful restaurant. A lovely greeting from the staff and you're shown to your table. Immaculately kept with glorious views over the Northumberland countryside (the deer running over the nearby field, an added bonus!) There was no pressure to order & fresh cold water given to sip on while you took everything in. We had some allergy queries which were answered immediately to everyone's satisfaction. When the afternoon tea arrived we were blown away by the stunning visual delight & quantity that was now before us. A great choice of teas & coffee were brought out & included in the price - no fear of going thirsty! Every mouthful of food was a delight, special mentions to the sandwiches, madeline & mille-feuille. There wasn't one item that wasn't tried & some had to be taken home in the boxes provided. The menu changes regularly & I have no doubts that each one will outdo the last. The staff were only too glad to chat about how they got were they are & about their home grown/local produce. An absolute delight that we hope to repeat...
Read more
