Malmaison Brasserie, Quayside, Newcastle Upon Tyne

went for a meal for wifes birthday very impressed food good was a great night.

I don't often write reviews but tonights meal has spured me into action. I have never eaten at malmaison before now. I do not think I will be eating there again. We ate at malmaison as part of the Eat festival. Basically you paid for two meals at 25 quid a head and got the third meal free. The malmaison meal was our free one. Which is good as I would not have paid 25 pounds for it. The place was dark stuffy, windowless and pretentious beyond belief. Whoever designed the place must have believed that if you paint eveything black and ram enough magnums of verve cliquot around the place it will be classy. I felt like I was in a dingy basement. The rest of the diners were wannabe foitballers wives who wouldn't know a good meal if it slapped them in the face. If you want to eat tough raw lamb and flobby fatty pork followed by hot oversized creme br l e minus the crispy topping malmaison is the place for you. If not? I would recommend Jesmond Dene House where they know how to cook.

I've been to Malmaison Brasserie's in Edinburgh and Newcastle, and I must say that each is individual. While they share a few dishes here and there, each offers a little local touch. For example the white-faced Northumberland pork.

As you walk into Malmaison you know that you're in the right place! You can walk up to the bar area and have a drink while taking in the most spectacular view of the Millennium Bridge, and then dash through the heavy velvet curtain to be seated.

The first time we visited, we were seated at the most amazing table - one side was like a velvet lined padded booth with cushions (which was apparently so comfortable that the occupants felt they could drift off). The menu is always impressive. I think they should laminate it because I'm sure, like me, hundreds of people uncontrollably salivate upon reading the menu (have a look at www.malmaison.co.uk - but make sure you've got a bib on)! The wine list is monumental! It's like an encyclopedia of every wine every made, and if you can't decide from the 100's of pages, let the sommelier choose for you!

When the food arrives you just can't help but go "oooo", even if you find the others doing it irritating! My favourite starter was chicken liver parfait served with Brioche and a chutney! Yum. I can't imagine a more perfect meal. What's more, we went when one of our party had their Birthday, and they even did something special for her!

If you are looking for a meal to remember, Malmaison's Brasserie at Newcastle (or probably just about anywhere) will never fail. I can't praise it highly enough. The food is really reasonable for what you get. Portions are good, and you can tell that the Chefs know what they're doing. Malmaison suits couples (of any age), families (where the children are older/well behaved!) and groups (I believe they have a private dining area for larger parties).