The Red House - Pie Paradise

Don't be fooled by the archaic and modest look of this place, it is an absolute wonderland for worshippers of gourmet grub. Providing you are an avid fan of pies of course! The menu hosts a selection of masterfully crafted pies, each equally as delicious as the next. These include more abstract varieties such as 'spiced mutton and apricot' pie and 'sausage, apple, onion and cider' pie. You are than guided to choose an accompanying type of mash, pies and liquor (gravy), all with their own delectable quirks. Truly a marriage made in heaven. The quality of ingredients are top notch, as is the service. And what better to wash down those golden brown beauties other than a pint of locally sourced real ale from their excellent selection. Wallet molestation can also be avoided by part-taking in "Wednesday Pie Night" where you can pick up two of these fine meals for just £10. The Fat Spoon would vouch that this is the best place to pick up pie in Newcastle...and perhaps even the world! 86%

Yo Yo Noodle - Cheap and Cheerful Chinese

Looking for something a little more interesting than your standard boots meal deal or foot long subway for lunch? This noodle bar franchise has exactly what you need. Choose from a range of noodles, varieties of meats, fresh vegetables and sauces; which are then all flash fried in a wok before you. The sizzling delights are then deposited in a trendy noodle box complete with chop sticks that will leave you feeling like you're an extra in an American sitcom. On this visit the quality of ingredients were decent, the sauces were flavoursome and best of all - the portions were delightfully gargantuan. Don't expect authentic gourmet Chinese cuisine here, this fast food outlet is well aware of its standings as a quick and easy lunch vendor. The super chunky Udon noodles with roast duck in a Singapore curry sauce went down a treat with the Fat Spoon. 60% 

Riley's Fish Shack - Gourmet on the Go!

This elusive wonder can be found at various festivals and fairs across the region. Be it music, food or beer festivities, their freshly prepared sea food delights will compliment any mood. Their line up often includes smoked mackerel wraps, calamari kebabs, chunky fish fisher sandwiches and a Monk fish head-liner. All of which are expertly seasoned and grilled before you. If you're within 100 metres of their stall the scent of these smokey pleasures will draw you like a rampant mouse to cheese. The pricing is a little cheeky, but to be as expected at such street food stalls. Overall verdict...a must for every fish loving festival goer. 73%

Al Basha - Fairly Hideous

Although Al Basha is quite highly rated by some, the Fat Spoon was not impressed. The décor is about as classy as a pint of Lambrini and looks more dated than your Grandma's curtains. Although the food was indeed authentic Lebanese cuisine, prepared to a decent standard and quite tasty; finding part of the chef in the chicken shawarma was far from ideal. A thick black hair protruding from your meal is usually enough to put off the majority of restaurant goers, but failing to offer a refund as a result seals the deal. Unacceptable. Further to this, the table service was sluggish and careless, enough to send the Fat Spoon into a state of unforgiving rage. Perhaps on a different occasion Al Basha might have lived up to it's expectations, but evidently consistency isn't their strong point. Rating....very poor. 22%

The Butterfly Cabinet - High Calibre Big Breakfast

The great English breakfast just got serious. The Butterfly Cabinet certainly isn't the place for a hangover destroying grease fix, this is the place for an outstanding gourmet fry up. Turn up with a hangover and you will be annihilated. The sheer quality of locally sourced ingredients is guaranteed to blow any other greasy spoon out of the water. The staff are welcoming and will even accommodate you with a pint of beer at the right time of day.The menu exhibits finesse on new levels of breakfast excellence, but anyone keen to test their mettle should take on 'The Business'. A platter that accounts for every bit of high quality British based products that you would expect on a big English. Tackle it if you dare, but it has beaten champions. But not the Fat Spoon of course! 86%

Noosh - Moroccan Revamp

What was previously a very good contemporary-style restaurant with a wide range of dishes seems to have recently changed hands. But not all change is bad, and the new Moroccan theme looks to be set to please. The interior retains the same welcoming but sleek feel to it, which compliments the new menu really well. As typical to the cuisine, the dishes are rustic and wholesome, with   the added warmth of Moroccan spices that you would expect. The Fat Spoon recently indulged in their lamb shank tagine, a delicious medley of slow cooked lamb, vegetables and lentils infused with a myriad of subtle but complimentary spices. The meat being tender enough to fall off the bone with the stroke of a fork made this dish exceptionally tasty. The prices may be a little steep for some, but the offer of set menus and gourmet society card discounts make this place a worthwhile venture. The waiter was keen, but frankly a little pungent (it had clearly been a long shift for this chap). Definitely worth a visit if you fancy something a little out of the ordinary. 70%

Bar at the Brandling - Lunchtime Bargain!

The Jesmond branch of this diversely popular pub chain is more than just a refuge for those on a student budget. Behind the fairly drab décor and dull lighting are a number of excellent delights to behold. The menu is very fairly priced, the quality of food is good and the customer service is generally very good. But the real prize here are the pizzas.

Authentically stone baked, generously laden with masses of toppings and offered at a very attractive £5, including a drink. Student or not, that's a bargain you can't overlook and despite the pub's target audience, there is always a more than adequate selection of real ales. And if this isn't enough to entice you to the Bar at the Brandling, then there are other 'features' of the restaurant that are renowned for bringing in customers. Definitely worth a visit. 69% 

The Big Mussel - Big on Excellence

When it comes to mussels, these guys don't mess around! Coming in a variety of interesting flavours and cooked to perfection, their trademark mussel mania bowls really are worth a try. The rest of the menu boasts a number of other well delivered seafood dishes, from sea bass to oysters and even reasonably priced lobster. And for those of you who aren't a fan of seafood, there is even a selection of decent of steaks and grill dishes to satisfy you. All to be washed down with a terrific array of continental beers. The cuisine is also often accompanied by a very agreeable aura provided by tasteful live acoustic acts. But what the Big Mussel does best is provide all this great food and ambiance in a comfortable and welcoming environment, with out the need for poncy prices or minuscule portions. The staff are generally very attentive and they even operate a number of student/early bird deals if your wallets feeling a bit delicate. A haven for seafood lovers! 84%

Rasa - Keralan Cuisine at it's Finest

Unorthadox curry from India's southern most state, and completely unlike any other curry you've had before. Having travelled in Kerala the Fat Spoon can vouch that the food cooked up at Rasa is truly authentic. Expect a vast variety of dishes of more exotic flavours and styles than your usual curry house. Dosas are a speciality of the South and are a must try, as are the unusual poppadoms and most of the menu to be fair. The seafood and lamb dishes are particularly outstanding. And if you're man enough, take on the "Rasa Feast", its literally more food than you could ever possibly manage. But if your the kind of person that always seeks out the chicken tikka massala on a menu, don't bother...your not worthy of Rasa. A little pricey, but well worth the quality food and excellent service. Final verdict...If you haven't been there yet, throw your tea in the bin and go there now! 91%

The Silk Room Restaurant - Gourmet Excellence

This quayside gem offers an excellent range of expertly prepared contemporary dishes, at relatively fair prices. The set menu's are always well put together, with a dish to please every taste at a more affordable price range. Although the intimate and soothing décor is great. The range of ambrosial champagne and cocktails are outstanding if you want to splash the cash. And the soulful music really sets the mood...but for the Fat Spoon, its all about the food! Visually impressive and innovative dishes really make this place well worth a visit. Perfect for special occasions, and very happy to take on larger table reservations. The Silk room's customer service would rival Buckingham palace, always a bonus when you're eating out. Overall, a Pant-wettingly good little restaurant. 88%

Ho Buffet - Plain Nasty

Fancy a cheap and cheerful Chinese buffet? Don't bother trying Ho's...a box of kebab meat from the Bigg market bears more resemblance to gourmet food and probably contains less dog! Here you can sample a variety of highly unauthentic Chinese dishes, all blander than cardboard and swimming in a bizarre smelling oil. The chicken wings look deformed, the twice fried prawn toast could put a hole through your kitchen window and the chicken curry tastes like it was cooked up by a blind chimp. The Fat Spoon would rather eat its own hand than venture into this travesty of a Chinese buffet. The service was also non-existent. Overall...terrible. 12%

Da Mimmos - THE Classic Italian!

A personal favourite for the Fat Spoon, all your expected Italian dishes in a comfortable and friendly environment. Most of the menu isn't particularly arousing, but their fillet steak rossini is out of this world. Combining a quality bit of beef, home-made pâté and a delicious full-bodied sauce makes this dish one of the best steaks in the city! But all dishes are cooked to a good standard. The service is generally good, although the head waiter is EXTREMELY Italian and might agitate some people. Beware the house wine, its acid. Only acceptable to the seasoned drinker. The set menu is a little pricey, but a gourmet society card or lunch/early bird menus make it a little more wallet friendly. Decent takeaway style pizzas. All in all, a great little restaurant. 71%