Solstice, Newcastle, UK. (*)

Based in the centre of Newcastle, one star but a step above other one star places is been to. Every course worked, balanced and showcased the main flavours well.

Dishes all served by the chefs. No menu on the table, but one provided after. A small venue, and service was amazing, not rushed or dragging. Highly recommended

1. Super smooth, full flavoured, salty chicken skin, slight sweetness. A lovely start

2. Sweet and intense beetroot. Lovely citrus hit, slight heat from horseradish and richness from beef fat

3. Full on duck, sweetness from the Madeira, slight spice from the ginger. Lovely

4. Whack of sharp salty cheese, slight hits of herb and tomato. Consomme cleans everything away, great depth of flavour

5. Clean and fresh, great pea flavour in the Panna cotta, buttermilk and miso adds a depth of flavour

6. Light and delicate, great cook on the tail, carrot adds an extra sweetness, balanced by the grapefruit foam, good rich bisque sauce. Risotto was superb, richand full of depth. Sabayon on the top added an extra creamy element, nice amount of claw meat

7. Super smoky with out being overpowering. Every element came through, rich creamy sauce, intense kipper, lovely brioche and a nice hit of salt from the furikake

8. Super tender pigeon, rich deep sauce with an added tartness, mint added a nice freshness in what could have been an overwhelmingly rich dish

9. Slightly tart and savoury, sweet apple, cool and refreshing. A lovely pallete cleanser

10. Rich sweet mousse, yet delicate. Savoury edge from the ice cream, tart and sweetness from the sea buckthorn sauce

11. Rich and decadent, ice cream cuts through, banana miso caramel adds a surprise and a nice sweetness to off set the rich chocolate

12. Madeline still warm, soft and sweet

13. Lemon biscuit surprisingly sweet and delicate

14. Peach pate de fruit, tart initially, floral and fruity