Dacantus - Tapas Without the Faff

Dacantus, the self-defined wine bar, signature restaurant and gin lab on Grey street might sound like the wild and confused concept of a drunk Spaniard, but this very pretty place is rapidly becoming a favourite for many, including the Fat Spoon. Why? Because they give you delicious complimentary tapas with every drink you order. EVERY drink! Knock back enough of their excellent gin cocktails and you might even think you're actually in Spain. Dacantus really has done an outstanding job at setting the scene, a stunning venue with a very strong, extensive gin menu and staff that genuinely want you to stay eat all their chorizo-rich delights.

This attractive venue has much more to offer aside from the luxury gins and the persuasive world wine selection, the tapas freebies are there to draw you in for the kill - their excellent contemporary Spanish menu. And it is very much a case of  contemporariness over authenticity, but that's drastically better than the mindless faux-Spanish drivel that the generic tapas chains like to plate up. Although they do offer a well constructed (very) early-bird set menu for a mere £15 (which is possible the cheapest three courses on Grey street), the a la carte menu is where you need to focus your attention. They offer an excellent selection of sea food, pork and beef dishes, many as contemporary versions of Spanish classics, as well as a number of other surprising menu choices. Despite these random features, you can expect every dish to be executed well, in line with the high calibre of their drinks and décor.

Although much of the menu tends to step away from actual Spanish cuisine, they do still retain many Spanish quirks across most dishes and the dining-drinking hybridity of Dacantus certainly holds true to the Spanish way of entertaining. Despite this place being rather small, an expansion of the venue would almost certainly kill the intimacy of this outstanding gin and tapas bar. The commendable standard of service here also fortifies this welcoming atmosphere, making Dacantus the perfect place for casual drinks, pre-theatre diner or a lavish meal out. RIP La Tasca. 90%

Shiraz - Sheer Authenticity

Newcastle's ever notorious Bigg Market. It's an adulteration of vulgar bars, weird 'clubs' and beyond drunk chavs ruminating on themselves. But thankfully, there are a number of brilliant eateries in the area that have upheld it's worth, as well as a fairly newly-managed Indian restaurant - Shiraz. Despite appearing to be oddly named after the wine yielding Syrah grape of Southern France, Shiraz is all about one thing - real, honest, authentic Punjabi food.

There are probably hundreds of lacklustre and pitifully weak 'Indian' restaurants in Newcastle, the majority of which hiding away in the depths of Fenham. Many of which plating up dubious meat in a variety of uninspiring sauces, most of which can only be differentiated by amount of stale chilli powder in them or the volume of oil they're drowning in. Shiraz, however, is the absolute opposite of these Asian abominations. They offer a comprehensive menu of classic Punjabi cuisine, encompassing brilliant vegetarian classics such as saag paneer and bhindi masala (okra), as well as tonnes of solid meat dishes. Their seekh kebab starter is also very much on point, as is the selection of desserts they offer, which thankfully includes homemade gulab jamun - the Fat Spoon's favourite. The menu doesn't feature anything too adventurous, but when your looking for authenticity in Punjabi cuisine, then Shiraz is quite possibly Newcastle's gold standard.

Oddly their website seems to have been suspended, but that certainly doesn't reflect their level of service. Shiraz offers personal service with a passionate knowledge of their cuisine as well as having that family-run vibe to it. The restaurant is clean cut and doesn't come coated in that layer of scabbiness that often surrounds lower cost Indian restaurants. The dishes are very fairly priced, but possessing a tastecard will reduce the cost of your curry feed to insanely little, bringing it near a rupee-like range and making for an absolute bargain. 83%

Lola Jeans Newcastle - The Brasserie Bar

Newcastle is rapidly becoming a hub of fine dining and international cuisine culture, which is further supported by an ever-flourishing development of brilliant new bars and pubs. Many of these new establishments try their hand at being somewhere in between. This is what sets the new installation of Lola Jeans apart, it isn't a hybrid like some of the other cowboys. It is both a stunningly beautiful bar as well as an elegant yet full-bodied dining experience.

Developed as a re-mastered version of the well established Lola Jeans in Tynemouth, the new site has gone above and beyond it's predecessor in terms of décor and vibe. The vintage styling here trumps that of any other venue in the city and will instantly generate an ambience of finesse without feeling archaic. The drinks menu isn't the most extensive, but it doesn't need to be. Most of the classic cocktails are there as well as some original numbers and are delivered with sensual precision. Accompanied with some great beers and again a small but strong wine menu means Lola Jeans is the perfect bar for relaxed drinks with any crowd.

Although the Tynemouth branch has a solid menu, it's city centre sister is much more provocative and racy. They've made increased efforts at being much more extraordinary compared to some of it's competitors, denoted by the inclusion of the likes of the catfish bon bons, smoked pig cheeks and pant-wettingly good beef short rib. And although the sandwiches and burgers are great, the real show-stoppers here are the sharing boards. They've clearly sourced some outstanding produce to make these luscious platters beyond sexy. And although they aren't huge in quantity, you will be hugely satisfied with the sheer quality of the meat they present to you. The service is on par with the great cuisine and enticing surroundings, making Lola Jeans Newcastle the perfect venue for any occasion. And if the message in this final paragraph wasn't clear - you are absolutely indebted to order a meat board here, your stomach demands it! 86%

Keco - Asian Authenticity

The Asian taste invasion continues, with yet another relatively new and very Chinese restaurant in Newcastle. It looks like Stowell street is longer enough to contain the abundance of brilliant Chinese cuisine that's being cooked up in Newcastle, as a new restaurant seems to pops up in the surrounding areas every other week. Keco is a strange one, but being strange doesn't mean it can't be utterly delicious. Situated next to the ever vulgar diarrhoea-mongering Chicken Cottage, Keco has a swath, clean cut finish unlike some of the more rustic siblings in the heart of China Town. This dark but seductive theme, along with it's very central location means it's not a bad place for nice evening meal followed by drinks in town.

Like many of the other Chinese restaurants on and near Stowell street, they feel compelled to offer a weak 'Western menu' (or Westren menu as they like to call it), offering dull sweet and sour generics and pitiful 'curry' <insert meat> dishes. They also have some poorly placed Thai dishes pasted into the menu for further pointlessness. Are there still culinary Neanderthals out there eating this muck? Thankfully, Keco has more than redeemed itself with a particularly strong Traditional menu, which boasts deeply intense flavours and interestingly delicious cuts of meat - indicative of truly authentic Chinese cuisine.

The Fat Spoon's life advice of Chinese restaurants? Always always always opt for the traditional/Chinese menu. There may well be some risk involved, but without that risk you wouldn't have the opportunity to sample something new and brilliant. Keco encompasses the sheer passion of Chinese cuisine in their monstrous hot pots, fiery hot dried beef, oddly-named man and wife offal slices, and their outstandingly rich belly pork dishes. Don't be afraid of dishes served cold. Don't be afraid of dishes with weird names. And definitely don't be afraid of eating offal. The Chinese have mastered these dishes for centuries and Keco can replicate them at a fantastic standard. One of the greatest benefits of living in a multicultural city is having access is to these foreign wonders of taste. The large portions mean the food is very well priced, and although English might not the be the serving staff's first language (or second of third), they are ultra friendly and welcoming. Visit soon and try something that would probably scare your Grandma. 83%

Mantra Thai Dining - Prayer of Deliciousness

Unfortunately it seems that poor management and complacency saw the demise of what was the Waterside Palace Chinese restaurant, but thankfully this made way for a beautiful new restaurant to flourish - Mantra. And Mantra really is as ornate and as vibrant as the brilliant Thai cuisine that they serve. After entering this temple of golden serenity you will quickly be given a warm Thai welcome from a member of the very accommodative staff, before being taken to your table.

They're attention to detail and passion for style doesn't stop with the venue, their unique menu reflects their effort and showcases some great Thai dishes. What's unique about Mantra is that their menu doesn't just cover all of the more commercial Thai dishes that the typical punters are looking for. But they also offer authentic traditional Thai cuisine that those with fond back-packing memories of Thailand will be delighted to sample. And unlike some South East Asian restaurants in Newcastle, they haven't butchered the classics by adding European vegetables or alien flavours. They've held true to their roots and committed to intense flavour and of course chilli - plenty of heat, the way Thai cuisine should be. Those who want the real deal can ask the staff for recommendations to obtain that perfect dish. Their signature dishes are an absolute must and include the likes of rich duck curry, Somtum (green papaya salad), Seabass married with tamarind and lamb shank Massaman curry. 

The clean cut service, stunning décor and polished dishes tell you that this is a higher end restaurant, so don't expect any cheap smut here. This is no Bigg market diner. Quality does come at a cost, but at the same time, the pricing at Mantra certainly isn't over the top. Their wine list and drinks menu is also well constructed and offers the perfect accompaniments for the sheer volume of flavour delivered by the food. Finally, a Thai restaurant perfect for marking those special occasions. 86%

Mamak Corner - The Del Boy of Chinatown

The Only Fools and Horses reference isn't there to suggest that their menu has any equestrian dishes on it, although there is certainly something a little shady going on at Mamak Corner. This Malaysian (but also unconvincingly also Chinese) restaurant, situated at the very end of Stowell street has a lot going for it. Their venue is very attractive, with it's whole crispy ducks in the window and clean finish. The waiting staff are very friendly and there are some really tasty dishes on the menu that differ greatly from the typical Chinese dishes elsewhere on the street. This is of course thanks to their Malay orientation, which they need to be more proud and forthcoming with...why the hell are you competing with Chinese cuisine on the only street in Newcastle that has as many of them as Downtown Beijing?!

The menu is definitely worth sampling and despite the bewilderment riddled within, you can bag yourself something truly delicious. However, make a wrong choice and you can easily be chowing down on a dish that's got a worse bone to meat ratio than a carcass, or bits of fatty meat that may turn you to the dark side (Vegetarianism)! But for the adventurous, this is merely just another challenge to be conquered and enjoyed. The main thing that lets down Mamak Corner, is that although it has a stunning bar, well equipped with a variety of spirits and wines...they don't serve alcohol?! This makes the Fat Spoon very very upset. It's all very well not serving alcohol for whatever reason, but don't lure in the Friday night club with your malicious J2O-serving deception and tea-drinking treachery! We won't ask how the lost their alcohol license...

With this being quite a set back for the restaurant, dinners may choose to opt for visiting this place under lunchtime arrangements. And that can be well accommodative with the variety of special offers, including super cheap set menus, karaoke and even... happy hour drink offers?! At least their confusion is consistent. This is definitely somewhere that could be great, also needs Gordon to come along and give it a huge kick up the backside. 55%

Rupali 1977 - Newcastle's Curry Capital

Established in 1977, Rupali is one of those old school curry houses that validates why the cuisine is a long standing favourite for this nation. Situated in the heart of Newcastle the ever glamorous Bigg market of course, makes Rupali a regular venue for many of the city's patrons. They arrogantly boast a solid reputation holding various awards for their notorious 'curry hell'; numerous celebrity visits and even Gordon Ramsey's recommendation. And in all fairness, the food is very good. Authenticity and quality ingredients are well employed across all of their dishes, making every trip enjoyable. 

You can expect good service in their clean-cut, albeit rather small restaurant up the random flight of stairs near Bambu. And like the vast majority of Indian restaurants, they offer all of the expected 'classics' or rather generic dishes that you can rely on. They also offer a selection of more interesting speciality dishes, although these can be a little expensive given the portion size. Sadly, their special thali dishes (a steel platter of a variety of dishes, rices, bread and dessert - iconic of dining in thousands of India's cafes) has been stripped from the menu. Clearly they've focused on a more profitable à la carte style menu, which is a real shame.

That said, there isn't anything wrong with Rupali, their dishes are indeed very tasty. They've just lost some of their spice based magic. Unless of course you are hunting for heat... if you are particularly keen to tempt a Indian style bout of explosive visits to the toilet, then their naga chilli enriched 'curry hell' will leave you sweating in places you didn't think it were possible. And you haven't burnt most of your tongue off/a hole in your trousers and come to finish it you will get the meal for free. Bargain!....sort of. 80%

Osaka - Big Flavours in Little Japan

In city where the market of Japanese cuisine is dominated by the likes of St. Sushi, Nudo and Yo! Sushi, it can be very difficult to make a name for yourself even in an under represented dining genre such as Japanese food. You can either take a back seat throne like Spital Tongues' Tenji. Or you can jump right in the thick of it, roaring like a fine dining beast....just like this Beauty. Although the initial vibe you'll get from the teeny tiny Osaka is one of peace and harmony, you will soon find that their menu packs more vibrancy than many of the generic bars and commercial restaurants of Grey Street put together.

Osaka isn't just another run of the mill sushi house, they boast a monstrous variety of these fresh seafood based delights, offering them in all shapes and all sizes. The sheer palate tingling level of freshness continues through to their excellent value bento boxes, their blazing teppanyaki dishes and elegant noodle dishes. But the must try prizes here are amongst the speciality maki and temaki dishes. Deep fried sushi sounds like hideous Scottish molestment of this delicate cuisine. But actually it's the closest you can get to deviant indulgence without taking your clothes off.

Everything fits together at Osaka, from the incorporation of some brilliant Japanese wines and sakes to the beautiful set-up and complementary attendees. Watch out you old timers of sushi production, because Osaka has arrived. It's fresh, it's new....and it's coming for you. And it's definitely contributing to the expension of this hugely vivid Asian cuisine in a sexy way. 85%

The Bridge Tavern - Give us a Brew Love

Many entrepreneurs in the hospitality trade are greedy pigs. They literally want it all, a fully functioning restaurant that doubles up as a trendy bar, cool coffee house, night club and occasionally a brothel. And generally these places are more confused than the British political system; are occupied by the filth of society and are ultimately doomed to fail. But occasionally they succeed, with the right ingredients of classy styling, quality food and a superior interest in Newcastle's more refined (i.e. not trebles) drinking culture. Town Wall's new sibling is an example of such a place that is more than just a gastro pub. They've taken all of the thrills of the Town Wall - pub food done really well, a very healthy selection of ales and a lively active evening drinking venue, then given it an irresponsible dose of steroids. As well as an on-site microbrewery in collaboration with the Wylam Brewery, that is not only functional but also a very visual attractive. The monstrous variety of ales on tap is probably the only thing that will stop you from climbing into one of the brewing tanks.

The menu holds some small quirks but is largely made up of classic pub food....done excellently, without a whiff of ponce. And best of all, their dishes come only as fat boy portions, always a winner with the Fat Spoon. Aside from the beastly fish and chip that'll have a bite of you if you're not careful; and the Mixed grill for two (hundred) they do also offer some interesting sharing platters and Broad Chare-esque bar snacks. The prices are fair across the board and you can expect some friendly service here. But predominantly, this place is likely to become a nature reserve for real ale drinkers. A place that they can they to find shelter, warmth and great pub food. A place they can sample a huge variety of local and not so local beers. A place they drink without fear of chavs or undergraduate students vulgarly chinning Carling or skittles. 

Although a very friendly and welcoming pub during the day, the Bridge Tavern does have a great 'trendy-pub' type of atmosphere in the evening, just like the Town wall. The great food and microbrewery features given it quite an edge over other 'regular' gastro pubs....which means this place should definitely be on your list of places to try soon. 83%

Dabbawal - Street Food Sensation

Unfortunately due to the grossly vast number of generic "Indian" restaurants that have populated this country since the 80's the majority of people think Indian cuisine is solely based on meat in sauce, dry old rice and a bit of limp bread. Wrong. Indian food is highly diverse and should be vibrant, fresh and certainly not just in the form of dog food like dishes. Thankfully there are a handful of properly Indian restaurant in Newcastle that are striving to smash this backward tradition. Rasa on the Quayside has covered Keralan cuisine like an absolute boss, whereas Dabbawal has taken a different approach and produced a perfectly mixed menu that encompasses the cuisine of various regions of India. India is all about real, none-pretencious food. And Dabbawal has used the street food theme to express how interesting and different the cuisine really can be. Food that can be both highly energetic in terms of flavours and spice as well as elegant and perfectly well balanced. Their menu depicts how they're also no scared of incorporating new elements into classic dishes such as their brilliant Duck Nilgiri and Punjabi Chicken Lollipops. But they haven't neglected true street food favourites like their chaats, Railway Lamb Curry and Gol Guppa. The restaurant is just as fresh and well presented as their menu and dishes. You can also expect friendly and knowledgeable service alongside a good wine menu. Indian food is all about brutally delicious flavours, if you don't like your spice then maybe you should stick to parmos and cheesy chips. The only downside to Dabbawal is that it's a little on the expensive side and portions sizes aren't massive. However if you're ready to hoy that feeble chicken tikka massala in the bin and try something that's both authentically Indian and hugely flavoursome, then Dabbawal have the spice sensations you need. Food quality is very good to, so don't worry about the heat smashing your back doors in/out. 89%

The Valley - All Aboard the Curry Train

The dining and bar trade is often riddled with lame gimmicks these days that only ever endeavour to offer you less of the good stuff for more of your cash. Naan bread's on sticks, cocktails in tea pots and meat starved burritos to mention but a few. However, there is a particularly unique restaurant experience that most people in Newcastle have heard of but oddly very few have had the bottle to go ahead and seize it. Of course that doesn't include the ever cuisine crazed Fat Spoon. That is the The Valley's "A Passage to India" service that takes you from Newcastle to their beautifully archaic converted-ticket office restaurant in Corbridge. Along with it's two sister restaurants (The Valley Junction 397 and The Valley Connection 301), the family has been awarded with multiple awards over the years including last year's Good Curry Guide 'Best in the North East'. It isn't quite the Fat Spoon's #1, but it's definitely up there, the curry train experience being of particular interest. At £32-37 per head some may argue it is a little pricey, but when you account for all that is included you will quickly realise it is a great deal. A very charming waiter will greet you under the big clock of central station before you board the regular train to Corbridge (ticket price included), he will then offer you a drinks of your choice (not so included, but sufficient banter will provide you plenty). The excellent service continues in the restaurant, and there's little chance of delay for food as you can select your dishes during the train ride. The food is both delicious and plentiful... even the most seasoned of curry munchers will struggle to finish everything they are offered; and no dish is off limits, so go wild. There's reasonable flexibility in terms of your return train, whether you chose to sample the brilliant local pubs, or contently sit in the restaurant as you struggle to breath having eaten a grotesque amount of great food. What's more, with this being an Indian restaurant of outstanding calibre you're not likely to be spending much of the next day clutching on to the Andrex. All the delights of Indian cuisine, without hideous Indian trains or gastrointestinal infections. Winner. 88% 

The Herb Garden - Fresh Thrills

There are only a few things out there that make the Fat Spoon very angry. Such atrocities include over priced coffee shops, alcohol-free beer and smelly people in restaurants. But what really makes the Fat Spoon froth at the mouth with rage is crap pizzas. These spongy, bland and lifeless faux Italian dishes are served up in many of the generic restaurant chains in Newcastle. Even some of the independent places think its acceptable to overlook what should be a vibrant and delicious main, often concentrating on their main meat courses. Worst of all, people are buying these compilations of weak bread, baseless tomato puree and skeptical mozzarella. Stop it! Don't encourage these jokers, because thankfully The Herb Garden has the solution for this abomination of the Italian classic. Although a little off the beaten track this visually stunning walk-in restaurant will certainly surprise you....burning the image of freshness on to the back of your retina. The main dining area features an actual herb garden used to lift their pizzas to a heavenly level of flavour vibrancy. Multiple pizza stoves means they can churn out perfectly thin pizzas that even Mario's mam could argue with; married with the finest Italian meats, golden mozzarella and of course ultra-fresh herbs. Freshness of course being imperative for maximum flavour when it comes to herbs. And for those with some sort of weird affliction to pizzas they do offer a range of meaty specials, their carnivore platter and steak board being if particular interest. The food and drink is reasonably priced and the service is great. Fall in love with pizza again. 84%

Tenji - Sushi for the Insatiable

Sushi is fantastic. It's fresh, flavoursome and is a very clean option of eating out. Independant restaurants like Nudo and St. Sushi do it very well, even the culinary conveyor belt franchise Yo! Sushi do a decent job. In fact, even bleeding Tescos have had a stab at knocking up these all-natural fishy delights. All have helped commercialise what was a less well known variant of oriental cuisine just 10 years ago. There's only one issue the Fat Spoon has with Sushi....how the hell is four measly bits of salmon, a slither of avocado and handful of rice supposed to fill you up?! Thankfully Tenji has the sashimi solution that everyone has been waiting for - a Japanese buffet restaurant. You'll half expect a katana-brandishing Uma Thurman to fly over the buffet counter and kick you in the face as you walk into this stunning Japanese styled restaurant given how much it looks like a movie set. The lowered seating area is particularly cool. A bountiful variety of sushi, sashimi, crab, mussels and scallops over ice is an ideal start to your dining experience here. But it doesn't stop there, they also offer a horde of authentic curries, steamed dishes, spicy noodles and soups. Look out for the slow cooked oxtail and belly pork stews, they've got enough flavour to make you have a minor accident in your pants. Excellent. There's even a chef on hand to casually grill the life out of a selection of delicious meats at the Teppanyaki station, including heart skewers on occasion! Got a sweet tooth? Not to worry, they even cover desserts, including the well known Japanese classic ... macarons! The evening buffet might be a little pricey for some, however they offer an eye-watering drinks deal for diners. All inclusive drinks for a mere £6, including Tsing Tao, house wine and warm Sake...making a trip to this house of rising stomachs well worth it. 86%

dAt bAr - American Food with Elegance?!!

Who'd have thought it... Apparently American food doesn't have to been grotesque, greasy and covered in dubious cheese. Someone tell those very mediocre American diners of Newcastle that they can hang up their bbq sauce covered aprons and turn the fryers off.....they know who they are. dAt bAr is yet another new kid on the block, brilliantly located near Monument. And in the fight or die scenario that all new restaurants and bars are faced with in their opening months, dAt bAr comes into the ring with more fight than a smackhead radgie on match day, with horns. They've done everything right, combined a smooth but vibrant atmosphere with great food and an exemplary selection of local and not so local beer. The perfect place for a man date or to treat a lady or to take your mam next Sunday....it's that accommodating. The starters are interesting and worldly inspired...a fresh outlook that definitely trumps the done to death fried calamari and potato skins that you'd usually find in a bar-restaurant. The American influence comes in with the mains...super succulent steak, burgers and pulled pork, as well as innovative sourdough pizzas. The menu looks and sounds fun, which really complements the funky vibe at dAt bAr. Interesting quirks like their beef being sourced from "The Fat Butcher" (possibly a relative of the Fat Spoon) and their mix-and-match charcuterie Berkel Boards will make any visit to this joint truly enjoyable. And the pizzas are there to give those funny vegetarian-types plenty of choice...how considerate! Some of the staff are newbies (so may be a little awkward) and the beer prices aren't exactly student friendly but at least there's LOTS of it! Definitely worth a visit soon! 87%

Simply Greek Tavern - My Big Fat Greek Feast

Truly authentic Greek restaurants are extremely elusive in the UK, and that's particularly true of Newcastle. But for some mad reason there are two pretty much adjacent to one another in Newcastle's Bigg market. One of which is about as Greek as it gets, the aptly named Simply Greek Tavern and thankfully it isn't in financial disarray. The staff are attentive and offer a Mediterranean-warm welcome, fitting in their dated but exceptionally Greek blue and white restaurant. If you start knocking back the ouzos you might even end up thinking you are in Greece....which would be hugely disappointing if you were to walk out and you're outside Bambu and a 17 year chav has just been sick on your shoe whilst his girlfriend threatens to fight you. Despite its location the food at Simply Greek is fantastic, the dishes are rich and robust without being overly unhealthy, as Greek food should be. You can expect all the classics such as moussaka, souvlaki and kleftiko as well as fresh hummus by the pint! They even offer a very interesting special Sunday mezze platter for two that definitely sh*ts all over the standard bland Sunday roast. Better still, all of this great food is perlexingly affordable given the quality and quantity of their dishes. Real Greek food and Greek prices, time to smash some plates and get some Greek bait down you. 83%

The Fat Hippo - Witness the Fatness

Hippo's are ugly, grotesque and monstrous animals; often vicious and covered in their own faeces. And at first glace, you might think the same of the Fat Hippo in Jesmond. But you will be hideously mistaken. This Fat Hippo is oozing with character, finesse and is a true hidden gem in terms of gourmet brilliance. This restaurant isn't here to offer you fancy contemporary cuisine like that of the Baltic's Six restaurant or Cafe 21. The Fat Hippo is here to provide you with good honest burgers, that are delivered to an outstanding level. And as the name suggests, they aren't at all shy with their portion sizes. It was a tremendously brutal battle, three rounds of gourmet grappling and refined rampancy, but the Fat Spoon came out on top in the end and relished in the delights that the Hippo had to offer. Although the interior of the restaurant looks like a dodgy Spanish canteen, the standard of service is excellent and the food more than makes up for the lack of room. Whether you're a tramp or a king, you must appreciate a good old burger....and that's exactly what the Fat Hippo excels at. Better still, they offer a three course happy hour menu for just £10...a truly remarkable offer. 88%

@ Bangkok Café - Taste True Thailand

There are a handful of restaurants in the city that claim to be authentic Thai restaurants, but @ Bangkok Café renders them all as obsolete. The restaurant doesn't look particularly exciting, but that isn't important, it's all about the food here. As you walk through the door you'll get Thai kicked to the face with an infusion of outstanding aromas. The menu is well priced and offers a good variety of traditional Thai dishes. All of which are well cooked and hugely flavoursome. If you're looking for a Thai level of hotness however, you'll have to ask for it as their dishes are aimed at western clientèle. If you do ask for more chillies expect to have your tongue completely brutalised. But that's what Thai food should depict, strong and intense flavours that certainly aren't for those with a feeble palate. Your grandma probably wouldn't approve....but the Fat Spoon thinks the food is great. Portion sizes are perfect, and they do offer some more generic set menus and lunchtime deals if you're a watching your expenditure. And if you watching your waist, Thai food is inherently healthy, give it a try. 84%

El Torero - Tapas Without the Nonsense

Unfortunately tapas - the Spanish concept of smaller plates to be served as light snacks or combined with other dishes to make a varied meal, was murdered by a confusingly popular restaurant franchise that shall be left unnamed. Thankfully, however, there are still a handful of restaurants in Newcastle that will deliver flavoursome Spanish cuisine without molesting the authenticity or by overpricing their worth. A strong example of such a restaurant is El Torero, which is quite well hidden, but well worth the find. El Torero trumps all of those generic second-rate Spanish restaurants by offering a large range of wholesome but interesting dishes. The classics are all there, but are elevated with a sound selection of paellas, pork with blue cheese, braised lamb and spicy black sausage dishes. Life is too short to spend your time in lazy restaurants that aren't daring enough to offer you more exotic and intriguing food. El torero doesn't disappoint in this avenue. The interior is dated but pleasant and the service is friendly and very Spanish. Spanish to the point where sign language and drawings might be more useful than verbal communication. But it is good service nonetheless. 77%

Santana's Jesmond - An Italian with Budget Brilliance!

Looking for authentic Italian food that doesn't cost the world? Then you needn't look elsewhere. Santana's is a proper Italian restaurant that delivers expertly cooked and substantial cuisine, but unlike most good Italian restaurants, they don't charge obscene prices. Although the menu isn't at all outlandish, there are a few interesting quirks as well as classics that are all worth sampling. If you are looking to splash the cash, they have a great selection of wines and some brilliant fillet steak, Sea-bass and king prawn dishes. The deep fried brie is a crucial starter to opt for. The level of service is good, although some of the younger waiting staff are a little untrained, they do offer friendly and welcoming service across the board. But where Santana's really hits its stride is the sheer mind-boggling value for money of their set menus. Even the stingiest of students can't complain at 3 course lunch for less than £4! A strongly recommended restaurant for anyone, regardless of their budget. 84%