Hexham, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

2022 Review: A “super-friendly and efficient” stone-fronted country boozer, where chef Paul Johnson (a Nathan Outlaw alum) delivers a “great menu selection” that saw it walk off with a CAMRA Pub of the Year accolade not too long ago.

2024 Review: “Fun restaurant serving excellent food” from an open kitchen in a classic Victorian hotel in the town centre that has been cleverly modernised in recent years. “It’s a super place to stay, too (and the breakfast is good)”.

“Hitting all the notes of the modern Nordic-originated food movement” – Cal & Sian Byerley’s “Scandi-style, airy dining room in a small rural industrial unit a stone’s throw from Hadrian’s Wall” delivers an “exceptional” experience – fans say it’s “the most inventive and special meal we’ve had in a very long time, possibly ever!”. “What Pine is doing and how they are doing is vitally important” to guests: “not for them importing food from 1000s of miles away, but looking at sustainable and nonetheless delicious high-end food” via “ethical, local sourcing, seasonal produce, clean flavours, ferments and vinegars”. Part-and-parcel of the experience is the “very casual ambience and interest of watching the chefs at work” – “the extra positive is created by the great staff, and the playlist all of which really enhances the whole experience”. Good wine pairings, with particular note taken of the “very excellent British wines”. Top Menu Tip – “the carefully slow-cooked, and multiple-smoked piece of pork loin is easily one of the best pieces of pig ever eaten”.