Blackmore's, Alnwick Review

Good Points
Excellent Atmosphere, very good food and enthusiastic service.

Bad Points
A bit warm upstairs, even in February!

General Comments
I had seen some strong criticisms here and in the press, but none were justified on the basis of my experience. (Party of 6 on a Sat night). The standard of the interior fittings both in the downstairs bar and in the restaurant upstairs is well above the standard of anything else in Alnwick, although it was just a bit too warm upstairs. The service was friendly and efficient and the pace of delivery just right, neither too slow or rushed, and this on a busy night. The place is always full and I can see why. People will pay for good quality, but they don't come back to repeat a bad experience.

The starters were very accomplished, especially the duck salad, which just could not have been bettered. The fish soup got the thumbs up as did the crayfish cocktail. The Glendale steaks in whiskey sauce were just what streaks should be; generously cut and meltingly tender with a sauce that did not overpower the flavour. Vegetables were nicely presented and varied and the chips really good. I am not a pudding hand, but the puds got universal praise, except for a choc mousse that seemed more like a choc truffle, but was still devoured with appreciation by the chocaholics. The Sancerre was good value and a fine example of a wine that sometimes disappoints, whilst I found the Californian Pinot Noir surprisingly good (if pricey at '£32) and much better than the boiled spangles taste of some such offerings. The service was delightful, and the young staff very adept and good humoured. The whole evening was a great success and I will certainly be back. I guess such places have the odd bad night, but I hope any who were disappointed in the early days give it a second chance, because Blackmore's goes from strength to strength and deserves its success.