Prickly Pear Restaurant

Not so very long ago eating out in Newcastle upon Tyne was a hazardous affair in almost every aspect. The last ten years especially have seen a major change that has followed the regeneration of the city, in particular the waterfront area where it is now possible to eat well and safely.

Typical of this movement is Prickly Pear, said to be the haunt of the rich and famous, who must love being able to blend in with the rest of us under assumed anonymity.

If the atmosphere and general buzz level was not enough to tempt anybody, try the food which is what I would call modern but recognisable, more than can be said for some modern food on the plate. In fact it's of a very high standard, and little surprise that they are members of the Gourmet Society.

Starters of crab cake, crab cocktail and avocado sorbet, or green asparagus, orange, quail and almond butter emulsion are likely to lead to heightened speculation about what is to follow. How about corn feed poussin poached in thyme and lemon grass, sweet corn cake and spring vegetables, or John Dory and squid a la plancha?

Prickly Pear has distinguished siblings in Castle Eden and Sunderland and owners David and Jane Kilburn clearly know what they are about.