Seaside Sunday lunch just Grand
I DO like to be beside the seaside . . . even on a bright but windy day like the one which greeted Mrs Eats and me at Tynemouth.
However, despite the bonechilling gales, at least we had an appealing view before us during our windswept walk along the seafront . . . the mighty waves crashing to the shore along Longsands beach.
Feeling chilly and peckish, we sought the refuge of a nearby hostelry.
Linked to the imposing landmark of Tynemouth’s Grand Hotel is a pub called Copperfields. We’d often walked past the pub during Sunday strolls, sometimes peering jealously through the steamy windows at its snug interior and tempting menu.
COPPERFIELDS
Address Grand Parade, Tynemouth, North Shields. NE30 4ER.
Tel: 0191 2936666
Food served: Noon to 9pm Rating: 16/20 Character........................... Quality................................ Service................................ Value................................... The Grand Hotel was built in 1872 as a summer residence for the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. It started welcoming guests five years later. The hotel has had some pretty famous guests: Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy made a point of staying there whenever they were appearing at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle. Arriving just after 1pm, it was packed. There were also plenty of locals enjoying a pint and watching the footie o n Car park..................... Kids allowed...................... Real ale..................................... Wine by the bottle........................ Credit cards..................................... Vegetarian food............................. Disabled toilets............................. the screen over the pub entrance. At the back, all the tables were taken, so we hovered at the bar, ready to pounce on the next free table (you can’t book ahead). The pub is a cosy affair, the bar dominates the room and there’s a welcoming atmosphere. And so to the grub. Affter grabbing a table, I settled down with a pint and a fresh orange for Mrs E, who never likes to overdo things when in command of the Eatsmobile. I’d worked up quite an appetite by this time, so turned my attentions to the starters. There was quite a tasty-sounding selection and for a while I was stumped. We both went for the homemade soup served with bread (£3.50). The roasted red pepper soup was delicious and very moreish. And there was a decent break between courses. For the main course, if a traditional roast doesn’t take your fancy, there are loads of other choices. The dishes are varied, with something for eve- ryone, from steak lovers to vegetarians, with a good range of fish and meat dishes.
Mrs E went for the rib-eye steak served with chips, onion rings and salad. I decided to go for the beef roast (both £9.95).
Our meals came very promptly and looked fantastic.
There was plenty of meat, liberally doused with a tasty gravy and a Yorkshire pudding so huge, I could have climbed in.
The vegetables were delicious; tender with just enough bite left in them, especially the carrots, while the Yorkshire pudding was cooked just right, despite its size.
However, the star of the show had to be the meat. The beef was done to a turn, tender and without a hint of toughness. There wasn’t any mash but the roasties too were excellent. Overall a fine Sunday offering.
Mrs Eats had come for a good steak – and was not disappointed. Served medium rare, full of flavour and every mouthful satisfying. Crisp onion rings and proper chips made this a classic dish done well.
We were full to brimming, which was rather a shame as the desserts sounded tempting.
But, much to our disappointment, we had to admit defeat and waddle out missing our pudding.
And it was back into the cold, grey Tynemouth day for a refreshing walk back along the seafront, feeling all good inside . . . and a lot more heavier!