Riverside is in a spectacular setting overlooking the Tyne, mediocre food, poor service, and shameful after-service.

Soup tepid and devoid of taste. Spring rolls still frozen. Starters arrived in shifts. Main courses just about acceptable but steak was tough and plaice was tasteless. 'Seasonal vegetables' (£2 per order) consisted of 4 florets of broccoli. Puddings also arrived over a 15 minute period.

Courteous complaints drew laughter from waiter, and no defense from manager. Other parties were complaining the same evening. Subsequent long letter of complaint elicited no form of response from the establishment. All in all a prime example of British service at its worst: over-priced pre-prepared food delivered by under-trained staff and managed by the ignorant. Take sandwiches and eat them outside to enjoy the view.