The Beresford Arms

The team behind Lovage in Jesmond have turned their attention to the fruits of the sea at this restaurant on the bustling Gosforth High Street. Despite not quite being the restaurant’s namesake, oysters are available in multiple guises to kick off proceedings, before a choice of prime fish and shellfish. The chefs are aware of the quality of their ingredients, eschewing overcomplication in favour of simple combinations – like Pink Fir potatoes, tenderstem and beurre blanc accompanying a generous helping of sea trout.

Head Chef Kleo is Albanian by birth and spent time in Italy before making the UK his home, so it’s no surprise to see the flavours and colours of the Mediterranean feature at this charming neighbourhood brasserie. There is a welcome lack of fussiness to the cooking, as each dish bursts with flavour. Go for the à la carte for the most choice, the fixed-price menu for the best value or the tasting menu for the full experience; sensibly priced wines from across Europe are an added bonus whatever you choose. Lisa, Kleo's partner, looks after the service and is a natural host.