Raval Luxury Restaurant and Bar, located on Gateshead Quays at the foot of the legendary Tyne Bridge, convincingly changes predefined notions about Indian food. The menu creates an inventive fusion of local produce with traditional Indian cooking methods and special spices.

For starters, you could choose monkfish tikka, tender chunks of monkfish marinated in yogurt, mustard herb oil and special spices. The main course has a judicious selection of lamb, chicken and fish dishes of which achari chicken, breast meat with mixed pickle and whole spices, lamb pasanda, loin in a rich cashew nut, cardamom and saffron sauce, or sea bass Dakshini, cooked with coconut cream, cinnamon and curry leaf in a typical South Indian fashion prove to be worthy options. Choices for vegetarians are few although the presence of unusual dishes, like eggplant lababdar, baby eggplants stuffed with cottage cheese in mustard seed and tomato sauce, make up for the lack of variety.

The desserts are imaginative with baby rose cream pudding or honey glazed jamun and pistachio ice cream topping the list. The lounge/bar has a decidedly contemporary atmosphere and serves exotic cocktails, fine wines and champagnes.