Yates's, Grainger Street, Newcastle

Jun 15 2008 Eddy Eats, Sunday Sun

IT’S fair to say that, sometimes, Mrs Eats and myself come in for some criticism for being old fuddy-duddies.

Apparently, our choice of eaterie sometimes gets people’s backs up, thanks to our penchant for nice, homely, comfortable boozers.

So last week, in a major break from tradition, we decided to try something a little bit different.

It was thanks to a friend of a friend who had mentioned a fine nosh he enjoyed at Yates’s in Newcastle city centre recently.

Never ones to miss out on a decent feed, the missus and I decided it was worth giving it a shot. Despite our initial fears that we were heading into some city centre “fun pub” full of boozed-up stag weekenders, the opportunity for good scran was too much to pass up, so it was with some anticipation that we hauled our rumbling tums into Toon.

But we needn’t have worried. Yates’s occupies a prime corner spot in the city’s historic Grainger Street, and is set out over two large levels with ample space for diners to enjoy their meals without revellers right on top of them.

And what really impressed us is that they take their food very seriously. Meals are served all day every day until 9pm, and the choice is amazing.

It doesn’t matter what you fancy . . . you can bet Yates’s serve it.

But of course, being the Sunday lunch connoisseurs we are, the only thing we were remotely interested in was a roast.

A scan of the menu revealed it was even better than we’d imagined . . . for just £6.45 you can get a beef or chicken roast and a dessert.

First, however, we fancied trying the starter menu.

Having been advised that the spicy prawns were a new addition, I couldn’t resist. Priced at £4.95, they arrived in a large bowl and were deep-fried in a light, Cajun batter, served with sour cream and sweet chilli dips. Mrs Eats, meanwhile, plumped for Southern-fried breaded chicken fillets with fresh tomato relish.

Both were absolutely delicious, and neither of us left even the tiniest crumb.

Shortly afterwards, the main courses arrived.

The plates were piled high with delicious thick slices of beef, mashed and roast potatoes, sweet fresh carrots, broccoli, a nice big Yorkshire pudding and individual jugs of gravy . . . always a nice touch. There’s nothing worse than a place which has already drowned your food in gravy.

After forcing down every last scrap, neither of us were sure how we were meant to fit a dessert in as well. But we knew we’d have to, as we’d already ordered a Belgian waffle with raspberry sauce and vanilla ice cream each.

They were as tasty and fresh as everything else yet we were unable to finish them . . . but only because we were full.

We definitely had our eyes opened by Yates’s. Far from being just another boozer’s venue, this place really knows how to put on a good feed, and with helpful and friendly staff, it’s a fine place to dine, whatever your age.

YATES’S, Grainger Street, Newcastle.

Rating: 18/20

Character: ***

Quality: *****

Service: *****

Value: *****

TELEPHONE

0191-261 5989.

FOOD SERVED

Noon to 9pm.

DRINKS

Pint of Fosters £2.55, pint of Guinness £2.65, large glass of house white £2.95, large fresh orange juice £2.15.

Car park

Kids allowed

Real ale on tap

Wine by bottle

Credit cards

Vegetarian food

Disabled toilets