Rhubarb Jesmond Dene House Hotel & Restaurant Logo Waitress
Jesmond Dene House Hotel & Restaurant
Summer 2006

We’re one year old!

Cocktail shakerAs every parent knows, first birthdays are more fun for parents than baby - who merely wonders what all the fuss is about. So, we’d like to make a bit of a fuss and invite you to help us celebrate the hotel’s first birthday. It’s been quite a year since we opened on September 1st 2005. We’ve had lots of highs - winning an AA four star rating - a few not so highs - a power cut when the Telegraph came to review us (but, hey, we got the candles out) - and some downright weird moments - the guest who locked himself out of his bedroom but omitted to put on any clothes first.

But, we’ve grown bigger, stronger and healthier. None of it would have been possible without your support, enthusiasm and loyalty. Throughout the first week of September
(1st – 8th) have a glass of Champagne Deutz on us when you take lunch or dinner in the restaurant or afternoon tea in the Billiard Room. We’re also offering a special price ‘favourites’ menu at lunch and dinner - a selection of the restaurant’s best-loved dishes - alongside our normal à la carte menu.

AA four stars

Lamb casseroleJust seven months after opening, we were given an AA
four star rating plus two Rosettes for the quality of our food. We had no idea we were being scrutinised until the inspector asked to see the manager as he was checking out. Gulp! However, we were thrilled to achieve close to top score in our category, 83%, which makes us the highest rated hotel in the city. The assessment stated: ‘the hotel is very impressive, with high quality levels evident throughout the public areas and bedrooms.’ Of course, there are areas where we could have done better. We’re working on those. A big ‘thank you’ to all our staff who helped us achieve the award.

Reasons to visit

Newcastle-upon-TyneNo-one needs an excuse to visit Newcastle (cultured and compact) or the wonderful Northumbrian countryside. But here are a few extra reasons for staying with us over the next few months. Iconic artist Sam Taylor-Wood has an exhibition at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art alongside Wang Du’s multi-sensory Space-Time Tunnel until September 3rd. The world’s biggest half-marathon, the BUPA Great North Run, is on October 1st; watching is as exciting as (and a mite less tiring than) taking part. Surfing dudes will head to Tynemouth on October 7th and 8th for the O’Neill British National Surfing Championships.

If you prefer your entertainment in comfort, the Royal Shakespeare Company makes its annual visit to the city from October 30th until November 25th. It will be appearing at both the Theatre Royal and the newly refurbished Northern Stage (the former Newcastle Playhouse which reopens at the end of August). Performances include Tamsin Greig (Channel 4’s ‘Green Wing’) in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and ‘Star Trek’s’ Patrick Stewart in ‘The Tempest’. Or you can let it all hang out with Ray Davies, legendary Kinks’ lead singer, and rock star extraordinaire Bill Wyman & His Rhythm Kings at The Sage Gateshead on November 6th and 7th, respectively. Check our website for special offers.

Winemaker’s dinner

Jane HunterOne of the world’s most respected women winemakers is hosting a dinner with us on October 16th. Jane Hunter, OBE, is internationally recognised as a leading light of the New Zealand wine industry. Together with her late husband, Ernie, she was one of the first to see the potential of the Marlborough wine growing region of New Zealand’s South Island, in particular pioneering the Sauvignon Blanc grape. Together with the company’s other wines, including Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs and sparkling, Hunter’s Wines have won more than 100 gold medals at national and international competitions.

Bright, opinionated, feisty - Hunter’s is a fiercely family-owned winery - charming, witty and entertaining, Jane wears her knowledge lightly but enthusiastically. The evening will start with a sparkling wine reception (Hunter’s Miru Miru) after which Jane will talk us through the wines accompanying the various courses. Learning about wine, we promise, will never have been such fun. The dinner will be held in the Great Hall. Please book early as it’s likely to be popular.

Dates for your diary

Ladies at lunch on the terraceAugust
Friday 18th: Jazz supper in the Great Hall

September
Friday 1st: Our First Birthday!
Friday 1st – Friday 8th: Free glass of Champagne with any restaurant meal
Sunday 24th: Guest Chef cooks tonight’s dinner
Monday 25th: Ladies Lunch with Guest Chef demonstration
Friday 29th: Jazz supper in the Great Hall

October
Sunday 15th: Guest Chef prepares a feast of game for tonight’s dinner
Monday 16th: Ladies lunch with Guest Chef demonstration
Monday 16th: Winemaker’s dinner with Jane Hunter, OBE
Monday 16th – Saturday 21st: Special game menu in the restaurant
Friday 27th: Jazz supper in the Great Hall

Why not stay the night? For most events, we offer a special price to tempt you into staying over for breakfast. Please telephone or email for further details of our overnight offers.

Staff awards

Employee of the Quarter StaffWe had 50 nominations for our Employee of the Quarter Awards, announced in July, which, in itself, says a lot about the commitment and teamwork of our staff. (Staff were nominated by colleagues.) As these were our first Awards, we decided to have two winners in each category: Front of House and Back of House. Professionalism, performance, team support and customer care were some of the criteria by which staff were measured.

Breakfast Supervisor, Giles Matthews (far right), and Senior Banqueting Waiter, Maciej (‘Magic’ to everyone) Bajcer (far left), won Front of House. Giles, who formerly worked as a steward for Emirates Airlines, was praised for his leadership and guidance while Maciej, from Poland, was singled out for his winning ways with guests.

Back of House winner, Events Co-ordinator, Wiebke Roesler (centre right), who previously worked in hotels in her native Germany and New York, was noted for her unflappability and team support. The hotel, quite possibly, would grind to a halt without Maintenance Supervisor, Alan Campbell (centre left), the other worthy winner, who sorts problems and tackles crises almost before his pager has bleeped. He even comes in on his days off. Now, that’s dedication.

Recipe

Summer Tomato Salad with Feta CheeseSummer lunches should be quick to make and full of sunny colours. Here’s one of Terry Laybourne’s salads that takes minutes to put together, looks smart on the plate and tastes of Mediterranean holidays. It could equally well make a starter and, when summer’s over, will brighten up autumn days.

SUMMER TOMATO SALAD WITH FETA CHEESE - serves 8

Vinaigrette

125ml Extra virgin olive oil
2tbls Balsamic vinegar
1tbls Sherry vinegar
1tbls Capers
1½tsp Chopped anchovy fillets
½tsp Chopped garlic
½tsp Caper juice
Salt & pepper
  • Liquidise everything for 2 minutes
1 Baguette
2 Garlic cloves (peeled)
12 Vine-ripened tomatoes (cut into chunks)
1 Cucumber (quartered lengthways, deseeded & sliced into ½" thick pieces)
1 Red onion (thinly sliced)
1tbls Chopped basil
Salt & milled black pepper
24 Black olives
24 Yellow cherry tomatoes
200g Crumbled feta cheese
4tbls Extra virgin olive oil
8 Basil sprigs
  • Slice baguette in half lengthways. Rub all over with garlic, then cut in half again lengthways
  • Slice the strips into ½" cubes. Scatter on a baking sheet (crust side down)
  • Bake @ 220ºC until light golden brown in colour, crisp on the outside but still soft inside
  • Combine tomatoes, cucumber, onion, basil, croutons & vinaigrette in a bowl
  • Toss together & season with salt & pepper
  • Divide between 8 plates
  • Arrange 3 olives & 3 yellow cherry tomatoes on each
  • Top with crumbled feta, drizzle with best quality extra virgin olive oil
  • Garnish with basil sprigs

Christmas - but don’t panic!

Star shaped Christmas biscuitWe know it’s still summer but this is a tiny reminder about Christmas and New Year. The Great Hall and private dining room, seating between 10 and 90 people for dinner or up to 120 for parties, are great venues for celebrations. The earlier you book, the greater your choice of dates. Of course, the restaurant will be in full festive mode, too. Why not join us on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve? On the latter, we’re having a jazz night in the Great Hall as well as a tasting menu alongside the à la carte menu in the restaurant.

Jesmond Dene House, Jesmond Dene Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 2EY,
United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)191 212 3000 Fax: +44 (0) 191 212 3001 info@jesmonddenehouse.co.uk www.jesmonddenehouse.co.uk