Review: NE1 Restaurant Week Dobson & Parnell

Dobson and Parnell, Queen Street, Newcastle upon Tyne – NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week
9th August 2023

This is by far our favourite restaurant in Newcastle where the food is always top notch, the matching wines carefully and beautifully considered, and the ambiance sublime. For this week only, if you can get a spot, you can sample a delicious 3-course menu for only £25 per head and I can tell you that it is well worth it.

I recommend everyone I meet to go to Dobson and Parnell which is named after the architects responsible for some of the most magnificent buildings in Newcastle and tonight they excelled with the menu on offer during this special week which invites everyone to sample the amazing culinary treats that are available in Newcastle at a fraction of the usual cost.

This special menu, which is carefully designed by the executive chef offers no fewer than five options for each course for the discerning diner. This evening I opted for the Vietnamese Crab Roll and accompanied by a really fiery dip; I couldn’t have been happier with my choice. The way the chef has balanced the sweet delicate white crab meat with the robust flavours of the traditionally fiery dip is inspiring and opened the meal spectacularly.

For the main, I opted for the roast chicken, beautifully and perfectly cooked and accompanied by the silkiest mashed potato and a tomato and red pepper relish, Not a single morsel was left on my plate this evening as is often the case at Dobson and Parnell.

I do not have a sweet tooth so I opted for the cheese board to finish my meal. All of the cheeses are locally sourced and they are always superb. The accompaniments of delicious quince jelly, lightly pickled celery and crackers are always a delight although during Restaurant Week there is a surcharge of £2.50 for the cheese board. If I have one minor quibble, the chef was a little blasé about making sure the celery was not stringy this evening. Tut tut! But it did not spoil a wonderful evening as always at this hidden gem on the Quayside of Newcastle.

If there is a slot available before the week ends on 13th August and you want fine dining at a fraction of the cost you would normally pay, I cannot recommend Dobson and Parnell more highly. I would also suggest that you splash out another £15 per head to have the matched wines with your first two courses as the sommelier has an exquisite palate to beautifully enhance your food. Top marks and it will not be very long before we are back at our favourite restaurant in Newcastle.

NE1 Restaurant Week continues until 13rd August with superb dining offers across the city. Dobson and Parnell also a offer a superb tasting menu and special foodie events throughout the year. Check out the details below and support the wonderful and vibrant culinary scene in Newcastle upon Tyne.

• Stephen Stokoe