Richard Holmes takes a table at one of Morpeth’s newest eateries

The Fluid Group has been quietly and confidently raising the bar in the region’s hospitality industry over the last decade. The Newcastle-based company, headquarted over its ‘self titled’ pub on Gallowgate, combines design flair with an operational nous that’s brought  great success with venues such as Grey Street’s Barluga gastrobar and the Central Bean chain of coffee houses.

Last year, the firm opened Barluga Morpeth, a sister venue to its Newcastle site. Found in the stylish Sanderson Arcade, it’s a 120 cover, beautifully designed space that on first impressions, is certainly a worthy addition to the Group.

And Barluga Morpeth seems to be a hit with locals, as on our Friday lunchtime visit, the place was buzzing with families, couples and business folk.

The interior is a sight to behold: huge cabinets are stacked with jars of colourful herbs and spices, wines and champagnes, an ode to bouillabaisse reaches up on a giant pillar from the ground to mezzanine floor, clock faces showing the time in Edinburgh, Bruges and Seattle are projected on to a wall space. Even the old fashioned light bulbs demand attention.

Like its sister venue further south, Barluga Morpeth’s menu is diverse and intriguing (the clock faces hint at its multi-national nature).

You can indulge in taster plates (£8.95 for a small plate, £15.95 to go large) such as the New Yorker (chef’s homemade meatloaf, salami, dill pickle, coleslaw, roast turkey breast, sun dried tomatoes, olives and bread) or take a world tour with the main menu, where you’ll find the likes of moroccan vegetable tagine, lightly spiced quinoa and harissa yoghurt (£11.95), mussels classic, thai, or spanish chorizo served with thick home cut chips, or classic french fries (£7.45) and the Barluga 8oz Aberdeen Angus burger, served with thick home cut chips, or classic french fries (£9.45).

I ordered from the seasonal menu, where the likes of smoked chicken with chicory, walnut and blue cheese salad (£5.95) for starter and slow cooked Ingram Valley lamb, wild garlic, served with bubble and squeak (£14.95) were on offer.

My starter of pork and truffle sausage roll, with brown sauce and endive salad (£3.95) was slightly disappointing, but only because the tangy sauce proved overwhelming. Perhaps a smaller drizzle or separate pot of sauce would have worked better.

However, my main course was truly sensational, a wonderfully fragrant dish of market fish (on our visit, haddock) with crayfish and herb butter, served with aura potatoes (£9.95).

Superbly cooked, it served up a wonderful medley of flavours, and the fish was obviously of a high quality.

My companion, who opted for the main menu, was absolutely delighted with his choices: a starter of sesame and soy cured salmon, coriander crème fraiche and dill croutons  (£6.75) and pan fried north sea cod, with soft herb crust, tomato fondue, silver skin onions and olive oil crushed heritage potatoes (£13.50), which I must admit, had also caught my eye.

Sticking with the seasonal menu, I concluded my meal with a delicious, homely carrot cake served with a generous dollop of orange mascarpone (£4.50) while my colleague couldn’t stop himself indulging in the dark chocolate and cherry tart, with mascarpone (£5.95) and then singing its praises to our waitress.

Service was friendly, efficient and quick throughout – despite the large influx of diners – and the venue was a pleasure to dine in.

Though Morpeth’s centre may have taken a hit from its recent roadwork problems, this didn’t seem to have affected Barluga, which has given the attractive market town a further boost. And it’s proof once again that The Fluid Group sets new standards, rather than simply going with the flow.

Barluga Morpeth is at Unit 3D, Sanderson Arcade, Morpeth, NE61 1NS. Tel: (01670) 505000 or visit www.barluga.co.uk

Wed, 4 Apr 2012 16:15:13 GMT (updated: Wed, 4 Apr 2012 16:20:07 GMT)