Long Friday
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
Entry
In posh Jesmond, this grey-fronted venue has a little outdoor area beneath an awning, while its interior space with grey banquettes and teensy tables isn't much more expansive. On the principle that good things often come in small packages, though, Long Friday is a firm local favourite. People love the laid-back intimacy, the enthusiastic staff, and the carefully sourced ingredients – as well as the on-trend ethos of a place to drink good wine and enjoy a couple of flavourful bites too, which is so much more relaxed than a formal three-course menu with accompanying bottle. Tickle your taste buds with an opening salvo of truffled black-pepper popcorn or beer-battered fried sage leaves, before going a little larger for Shetland mussels with rhubarb nam jim or a barbecued bavette in bone-marrow crumb with herb butter. It's the kind of menu that encourages you to try new things, from fried, squashed pink fir potatoes dressed in miso aïoli to a finisher sorbet made with German-style gooseberry sour beer. Too rad? Then stick with honeyed custard tart and poached quince. Fruit-forward, low-intervention and skin-contact wines are worth the adventure in themselves, while sparklers include Josmeyer's fragrant Chante Pinot/Alsace blend – a steal at £10 a glass.
