Living Room - Newcastle, The

Nowadays we seem to be intent on creating a home beyond our abode - does this herald a return of the club concept? I believe it does. Places like The Living Room certainly seem to think so, where everything possible is done to convince the customers that all the comforts of home are here without those irritations, of which we all have our own short-lists. Would you find a piano being gently stroked at home - probably not. The nearest might be ten-year old son's hardly relaxing efforts to catch his next Grade. Would you be waited on hand and foot with homely food of your choice and a range of drinks limited only by your ability to consume? Doubtful, unless you're very lucky indeed. Yes, of course, there's the disadvantage of paying but when you consider the prices against the advantages your answer is likely to be another round of drinks.

So what of the food in this new home from home? Think in terms of modern dishes, prepared with flair, such as char sui pork and noodle soup, or mussels steamed with coconut, chilli and lime. Main courses include grilled lamb cutlets, fondant potato and sweet onion marmalade, bangers and mash, steak and Guinness pie, or sea bass fillets with roasted red onion, Parma ham and rocket. Brunch is a speciality, with eggs Benedict or Florentine amongst the leisurely offerings. An exciting range of cocktails introduces exciting new blends of weird and wonderful liquids.

So all in all, is it surprising that hearth and home is becoming a touch neglected up there in Newcastle, and of course almost everywhere else?