58CITYLIVING
FRIDAY
OR me there's nothing
like a cool glass of dry
white after a hard week's
work. And it's always that
little bit sweeter if you're
somewhere fresh, new and away
from your usual surroundings.The
Jesmond's Imperial Swallow Hotel is
far from new � in fact it's been
around for decades. But with a fab
new makeover of the bar and
restaurant area along with a total
overhaul of its menu we were
definitely willing to give it a go.
Parking in Jesmond can be a bit
of a nightmare and not all hotels in
the popular area boast car parks.This
was not an issue atThe Imperial � we
were able to park up and then forget
about it for the night. Not a clamper
or hefty parking ticket in sight.
After a quick check-in we
plonked our bags in the spacious
room. If you're looking for a
luxurious weekend away then a room
at the Imperial might not be quite
what you're looking for. But if it's a
spacious, clean and functional room
in which to rest your heads for the
night that you need, then a room
here could just fit the bill.
We spruced ourselves up before
heading through the refurbished bar
room for a much-deserved sit down
and that all-important glass of white.
After letting our first drinks work
their magic we started to relax and
decided to give the revamped
restaurant a try before heading out
for a night in Jesmond.With food
served between 6pm and 9.30pm it's
perfect for that pre-night out meal,
particularly if you are staying in the
hotel � be it with friends or your
better half.
I never saw the restaurant pre-
revamp but I am told that the change
is astonishing.
Fresh spring greens mix with
classy chestnut browns for a
thoroughly modern feel.
We were brought a basket of fresh
warm bread as we took time to
choose our meals. Chris went for a
homemade ham hock and pease
pudding terrine with beetroot syrup
while I went for homemade chicken
liver parfait, red onion marmalade
and toasted brioche. Both were
quickly polished
off.
For mains
Chris opted for
his usual � steak.
This time it was
char-grilled
sirloin steak
garnished with
grilled tomato,
field mushrooms
and chunky
chips. Scrummy.
Usually I go for
seafood or chicken but the twice
cooked belly pork with dijon mash
and saut�ed Northumberland black
pudding just looked far too tasty to
pass up. And it was.The crackling
was mouthwatering.
Both too stuffed for dessert, we
decided to down the rest of our
drinks and head out for a night in
Jesmond.The hotel's handy location
meant that we needn't have hopped
into a taxi to get to the ever-popular
AsYou Like It and uber cool Mr
Lynch.The mojitos there come
highly recommended. After our
fourth round it was time to head
back.
We hailed a cab to take us back
round the corner - �3 if you're
interested � and rounded off our
night in Jesmond with a nightcap at
the hotel bar.
We left on Saturday morning
relaxed and refreshed: a perfect way
to kick-start any weekend.
ROOM RATES:
Rooms rates vary from �70 to
�150 depending on availability
and what's happening in the city.
Rate includes a full English
breakfast, overnight stay, free
car parking and free wi fi.
The Imperial Swallow Hotel,
Jesmond Road, Newcastle Upon
Tyne.Tel: (0191) 281-5511.
A CHIC MAKEOVER IS JUST THE THING TO HELP BREATHE NEW LIFE
INTO A HOTEL. MIEKA SMILES AND HER HUSBAND ENJOY A STAY
AT JESMOND'S REVAMPED IMPERIAL SWALLOW HOTEL.
F
FEELING
OVERNIGHT STAY

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