Restaurant Hjem — Restaurant in England

My wife and I ate at Hjem on Friday evening. It was fantastic. We were welcomed at the front door and immediately received a glass of champagne. The dining room is small and cozy, with beautiful views of the Northumberland county side. The kitchen is completely open so you can see the chefs cooking and preparing the food, which was quite a spectacle. We had the 12 course tasting menu, there is a smaller 6 course available but in for a penny... Wow, it was amazing. Using the best locally produced food, all sourced from nearby farms, the chef created a meal that was interesting, sometimes challenging but overall just absolutely delicious. The highlight for me was a dish of beef with chicken sauce and a baby leek. The wine pairing was really good too and served by a very knowledgeable sommelier, explaining where the wine came from and who had made them. Each one complemented the dish perfectly enhancing the experience. The service was friendly, smooth and a real pleasure. They really embody the meaning of Hjem or "home". With it being a small dining room it felt like a shared experience by all the diners, like an exquisite meal at home. I can't fault it and would encourage all to visit whilst there isn't a long waiting list; it won't be long until the word...

A bit of miscommunication on our part meant we arrived at Hjem on a day they were closed. Instead of turning us away, which would have been acceptable, Chef Marek and co-owner Ally - who happened to be there prepping for the next day’s service - very kindly took us in.

They gave us a beautiful room for the night, opened a lovely bottle of wine, and even made us a full breakfast the next morning. It was generous, unexpected, and completely set us up for a day walking Hadrian’s Wall.

The next evening, we returned for the 12-course tasting menu - and it was exceptional. Every dish was thoughtful, delicious and often beautifully curious. Hjem is Northumberland’s first Michelin-starred restaurant, but honestly, one star feels like an understatement. The experience, from the cooking to the service, was faultless. The whole team is warm, professional, and clearly passionate about what they do. There’s an attention to detail here that’s rare; everything just feels considered. One note: they’ll be closing the doors at their current location on December 31st. So if you’ve been meaning to visit, now’s the time. And if you miss it, keep an eye out for where this brilliant team turns up next. Wherever they go, they’ll be...

One of the best tasting menus we have eaten in recent times. To put that in context, we have eaten at (for example) L'Enclume and Ynyshir (both Michelin 2*) a number of times. I would rank the food (and wine pairings) at Restaurant Hjem as approaching a similar level.

From the snacks (x5) to the desserts/'Fika' (aka petits fours) (all of which were particular high points) there were surprises and interesting flavour combinations - alongside significant use of local Northumbrian ingredients.

This level of food doesn't come cheap and you shouldn't expect it to... For the full experience of Tasting menu @ £150 / Wine pairing @ £100 / plus aperitif/water/coffee, you should budget on £250-275 a head plus service (@12.5%).

If you decide to stay (recommended as Wall is a small village without lots of other options) the rooms are simple and clean and priced at a level that reflects that. The breakfast was excellent - mainly continental style (again prominently featuring local ingredients), plus an interesting grain porridge (the only warm dish).

We understand that the menu and wine pairings change regularly, and certainly look forward to returning in the not too distant future to...