PR / Testimonials

Barluga Deli set to open in Sanderson Arcade

A POPULAR Newcastle bar is to open a second outlet in Morpeth creating 35 jobs as part of a continued expansion drive.

The Fluid Group is to open the Barluga Deli, a European-style cafe with deli counters, in Sanderson Arcade.

It is being modelled on Fluid’s Barluga gastro-pub in Grey Street, Newcastle, and will be its second outlet in the Sanderson Arcade after the opening of its Central Bean Coffee House.

Fluid director David King said: “Sanderson Arcade is a stylish location with a considerable weekly footfall of discerning customers who appreciate freshly prepared food served in a comfortable environment. “Although we still face challenging times and the overall investment of £1m is big, I am confident the launch of Barluga Deli is right for us as it shows our commitment to the region by creating new jobs and will be well received in Morpeth.”

“Customers to Barluga Deli can expect to see a varied menu which will suit most palates and they can look forward to receiving excellent service when we open for business.”

Debbie Anderson, manager of Sanderson Arcade said: “We are delighted Fluid Group has decided to bring another one of its outlets to Sanderson Arcade.

“I believe Barluga Deli will appeal to business diners and ladies who lunch as well as customers who want more than a coffee and a sandwich.”

journal

Chic and stylish setting is the order of the day at barluga

STEPPING inside stylish city centre watering hole Barluga has the mystery effect of somehow making life seem a tad more glamorous.

The chic Art Nouveau-inspired interiors and kind lighting can’t help but lift the spirits – especially on a miserable, drab, winter’s day.

For those seeking a chic haven from the chill I heartily recommend it.

And an interesting gastro-pub menu offering everything from light bites and hearty lunches to pre-theatre speedy dinners and Sunday lunches, makes it a big draw with the city crowd.

The trendy bar had a £1m revamp three years ago and its award-winning interior with its dramatic chandeliers, comfy club chairs and back-lit wine display complements the grand facade of the handsome building on the city’s famed Grey Street.

The lunchtime I popped in with two friends to sample their winter menu it was extremely busy, but with a friendly buzz to the place.

It is clearly a popular bar in a prime position in town and I’m told it does a great line in delicious cocktails.

The open kitchen is run by head chef David Blackhall who offers a gastro-pub menu of comfort food and modern British cuisine.

Settled in our seats on the intimately-lit mezzanine floor, we had a great vantage point of the main bar area. Perfect for people watching between courses.

Our moods lifted, we sipped glasses of Fantinel Prosecco, a fresh, dry, fruity sparkler at £25 a bottle, a good choice for lunchtime, not being too heavy.

We chose from the winter menu which runs until March.

We opted first of all for the Barluga taster plate, £8.95, a platter groaning with mostly healthy goodies.

We picked and mixed from a selection of tempura prawns, Serrano ham, salami, hummus, Northumbrian cheddar, breads, homemade pickle, olives and spring rolls.

This was very much a sociable dish and all appeared super fresh, the tasty ham paper-thin and the nutty hummus particularly good.

For mains I opted for a warming Thai green chicken breast curry with roasted red pepper and coconut rice, £9.75.

I got tantalising aromatic wafts from the dish when it was served up. The chicken breast came as one piece and was completely enveloped in creamy, mildly spicy sauce, the zingy flavour of fresh coriander coming through. So far, so good.

Although the accompanying dome of coconut rice was cooked with the right amount of bite, far from being mild and fragrant, it was rather too spicy for my liking. It was the unmistakeable warmth of chilli.

I’m afraid to say I could only manage half the rice. My dining companions also tasted the rice and they, too, found it spicy hot. It was a shame because the rest of the dish was really very good but it did leave my lips somewhat tingly.

Across the table, fish pie with saffron and leek cream and gruyere- topped mash, £9.95, proved a big hit. A real winter warmer of a dish, it came served in its own little rustic dish with crunchy, bright green mange tout accompaniment.

It was described as “awesome”, the mash was creamy, cheesy, and the fishy contents included chunks of salmon, scallop and prawns. It was both hearty and filling.

The other mains choice of crispy belly pork with black pudding mash and cider and sage gravy, £9.75, was also a good dish and very substantial.

The fantastic crackling gave way to sweet and succulent meat, the bed of mash had an earthy flavour, and the subtle apple-tasting gravy worked well with the pork.

This was comfort food at its rib- sticking best!

For dessert, my cranberry and white chocolate chip flapjack with peanut brittle ice cream, was expensive at £4.50.

However, the flapjack treat, a substantial wedge of a piece, tasted homemade and was generously studded with cranberries. The fabulous caramel-coloured ice cream tasted exactly like peanut brittle. A decadent treat – especially at that price!

An exceedingly generous serving of apple and cinnamon crumble, £4.95, meanwhile, defeated the taste tester across the table.

The dish, which came with a little jug of fresh cream, would easily have fed a couple of us.

The tangy, not-too-sweet apple base was topped with thick layer of golden crumbly topping, given gentle warmth by the cinnamon.

The star pud of the day was Crema Catalana, a Spanish crème brûlée, costing £3.95.

This creamy dessert had a crisp, caramelised topping which cracked satisfyingly on contact with the spoon and a deliciously creamy custardy middle.

A sweet and satisfying finale.

By now, the wine was all but gone, the chat exhausted and we were feeling replete. It was time to venture back into the real world.

But we were all agreed Barluga made for a stylish lunch in a chic setting

Katherine Capocci, January 7, 2011

gourmet society awards

BUILDING GARNISHED WITH ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

BARLUGA on Newcastle’s historic Grey Street has taken the top prize in the North East Restaurant Awards 2009 for its stunning art nouveau inspired interior.

The venue re-opened last year after a £1m investment, with the main dining area enhanced with a decorative period ceiling, chandeliers, bespoke carpets and a backlit art nouveau inspired wine display.

Period columns were also introduced into the scheme to enhance the space and tie in with the theme.

The bar was transformed with French, rolled zinc bar tops and floating fonts suspended from the canopy… a feature unlike anything customers have experienced in Newcastle before.

The mezzanine was also extended to accommodate an external terrace, which opens up the backdrop of Newcastle and St Nicholas Cathedral.

GREY STREET FAVOURITE RETURNS WITH AN INSPIRED NEW LOOK

Fluid Design Solutions is bringing something new to the table with a stunning restyled interior and innovative new menu at Barluga.

Owned, designed and managed by Fluid, the much-loved gastronomic stalwart is hidden behind the elegant façade of Grey Street. A firm favourite for the last 10 years amongst business people and ladies that lunch, Barluga had now been re-invigorated following a £1 million makeover.

The beautifully re-defined venue opened its doors on the 29^th February with an elegant new interior that will enhance the Barluga experience, yet retain the same excellent standards, food and service that patrons have always enjoyed.

The new features, including a fresh open kitchen, exciting Chef’s tables, as well as external terrace sporting a dramatic, rarely viewed backdrop of Newcastle, all come together for improved dining comfort and bring a new dimension to the Barluga dining experience.

The eclectic new menu, designed by talented Head Chef Dave Blackhall, offers something for all tastes at lunch or dinner, with a range of unusual light bites, an a la carte menu, plus a high quality Sunday lunch with a twist.

Barluga’s fresh interior acknowledges the collision in time of the art nouveau movement with its grand Edwardian structure, perfectly marrying into the fabric of the building with a twist of the contemporary.

The main dining area had been enhanced with a decorative period pressed tin ceiling, grand chandeliers, bespoke carpets and a beautifully backlit art nouveau inspired wine display. Period columns have also been introduced into the scheme to enhance the space and tie in with the theme.

‘A feature unlike anything patrons will have experienced in Newcastle before’

The existing mezzanine has been extended to accommodate an external terrace which opens up a rarely viewed backdrop of Newcastle and St Nicholas Cathedral, providing an idyllic setting to enjoy a meal or a drink during the summer days and light nights.

The bar has also been transformed with French rolled zinc bar tops and floating beer tabs suspended from the canopy above the bar, a feature unlike anything patrons will have experienced in Newcastle before.

The design team at Fluid has both the operational experience and design flair to deliver innovative, exciting and practical solutions to your commercial space. To find out more, please contact Fluid design office on (0191) 2616404, or visit www.fluiddesignsolutions.com

solicitors

Andrea L Swatts, Partner, Mark Gilbert Morse Solicitors

“We have found over the years that we have dealt with Barluga, the standard of service to be excellent and the quality of food to be very impressive. All too often at corporate events when catering for large numbers, quality can be compromised. We have been more than impressed with Barluga and their attention to detail and professionalism of staff”