Barluga

The old Metropolitan has reinvented itself as Barluga, a new concept for the North East, with a degree of sophistication that for many is long overdue. A waitress served lounge, as in members club style - supported by a bar and restaurant serving modern British cuisine and seafood. This has to be a winners concept.

Starters include caviar dressed crab, pan fried foie gras with buttered apples or a classic prawn cocktail. For mains you can enjoy that proven British staple, beer battered fish and chips, or in a more elegant vein there's a leek saffron and cream fish pie. Sometimes seafood restaurants do not over excel in the puddings department but that is certainly not the case at Barluga with gin and tonic sorbet, hot chocolate pudding or cheese and biscuits with plum chutney to hand.

Arrangements for the resolution of thirst are typically modern. Stunning cocktails to start the evening well, some very worthwhile bottled beers or a wine list that is eminently browseworthy and a handsome range of nightcaps including J&B Rare. All you have to do is book.