I love Newcastle. Fantastic city.
As luck would have it I get to travel up to Geordie-land for work and when I do, my colleague Glenn acts as my own personal tour guide.
On a recent visit we needed a place for dinner and Glenn guided me to Hop & Cleaver; an American smokery which is found right next to the Tyne Bridge.
The restaurant has been fantastically designed. Stripped back to its bare walls with rustic features everywhere - my kind of venue.
We were recommended the Reece's milkshake and it didn't take much convincing for both of us to order it.
However, we were in for a bit of a shock!
Vanilla Bourbon, Kahlúa, Lillet Blanc, Butterscotch sauce, Vanilla gomme, 2 Reece's cups, 3 scoops of ice cream, milk.
Well... as you can see the milkshake turned out to be alcoholic. Seems it pays to read the menu when ordering something... oops!!
Still, it was bloody stupendous!
Extra meaty thick cut ribs, smoked for 4 hours on fruit wood chargrilled with sticky Bourboun BBQ sauce.
My choice was easy as I can never resist smoked ribs. Juicy, succulent and supreme!
The mash and sweet potato fries were a perfect accompaniment.
Slow smoked pulled pork finished in our homemade BBQ catsup with slaw and salad. Served with fries and pit smoked beans.
Glenn stumbled upon a real winner with the pulled pork - he left grinning from ear to ear!
The next time you head to Geordie-land, make sure that Hop & Cleaver is on the menu!