Poachers Cottage

The Poachers Cottage is in the village of Callerton, on the fringes of Newcastle upon Tyne, but it manages to retain a country feel, evidenced in the easy atmosphere within. Proprietors Neil and Karen Henry, along with their two daughters and son, help keep the place running efficiently - the result is a family establishment that oozes charm and affability. Food is the main theme; all the produce is fresh and bought locally, as Neil is, rightly, very particular about quality. The emphasis is on hands-on home cooking produced with care. An information board says it all; 'We don't serve fast food. We serve food as fast as we can'. As a result, a good cross-section of people have made the Poachers their local, and children are welcome and well catered for.

Portions are generally deliciously enormous, but there are also senior citizens' light bites and vegetarian menus. After a quiet drink and pleasant talk with Neil, who is clearly passionate about his establishment, I started with a 'black pudding magic', followed by an 8oz sirloin steak cooked to tender perfection. From the specials board my partner chose the beef and wine casserole, which was pronounced 'wonderful'. After eating I suggest you stick around to be entertained: Monday is poker night; Wednesday is the general knowledge quiz; Friday is reserved for the music quiz; Saturday is karaoke; and a live band plays most Sundays. Traditional Sunday lunches are available too, with children's and 'buster' portions offered. The Poachers' brilliance is in its versatility - it even has a spacious conservatory, perfect for adding some sparkle to your private celebrations.