The Elephant On The Tyne

Hotel bang on the quayside with swanky new luxury apartments on one side and the small boat Marina on the other side.
We went for Sunday lunch. There were no staff on Reception, so we meandered our own way through to the back dining room where lunch was being served.
It was a shame that lunch was being served in this back room as it is the least attractive of the two rooms; the first room has a wonderful view of the Tyne, with a polished floor, whereas the back room is charmless if functional.
The Carvey is set out at one side. A member of staff showed us to a small square table set for two which was wedged in rather too close to other tables for my liking and certainly would not have been where I would have chosen to sit myself. The table was also too high for the chairs and was higher than the ‘proper’ other dining tables.
The food was good. The meat tender, though hubby disappointed that I got the last of the lamb and we were told no more was forthcoming! Oh dear… and it was only 2.15pm…the veg was nicely cooked and the gravy all proper and tasty!
It would have been a five star rating if they had only thought more about creating a better ambiance and comfort for their diners… this was by no means the cheapest Sunday lunch to be found and such lovely food really does deserve a nicer setting. Don’t spoil the boat for a ha’porth of tar as any of the boating folk next door would have said…