As the new academic year gets into full swing, Osbornes bar-diner in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, has devised a range of snacks, main meals, drinks and desserts aimed at students who are missing their parent’s cooking, or are tired of living on beans on toast.
The menu is the brainchild of Master Chef of Great Britain, Norman MacKenzie (pictured), recently appointed executive chef at the Malhotra Group plc, which owns Osbornes, along with Scalini’s Italian restaurants in Jesmond and Gosforth.
For those in need of a hot, filling meal, sausage casserole, beef stew and dumplings cauliflower cheese and cottage pie are all served in bowls with a wedge of stottie bread on the side. While diners wanting a light snack can opt for homemade Scotch eggs and sausage rolls, lentil and bacon soup or house baked macaroni cheese with a brioche crust.
Salads, such as Caesar, caprese - with tomato, mozzarella and basil - and crab and prawn, are also on offer, along with a variety of burgers and hot dogs – including Dog Fish; battered haddock with pea purée and tartare sauce served in a bun.
There is also a range of breakfast choices for those recovering from a night 'on the Toon'.
The Hangover Club section of the menu, available on Saturday and Sunday, includes The Works; a full English breakfast with butcher’s sausage and black pudding, eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs on toasted bloomers and breakfast baps, filled with bacon, sausage or egg.
For sweet treats there are puddings such as such as salted caramel and chocolate pot, cookie dough cheesecake and crumbling cup; a choice of apple or rhubarb served with ice cream or custard.
“Autumn’s well and truly upon us and in my view that calls for comfort food; hearty casseroles, big breakfasts and big mugs of tea and coffee,” said NormanMacKenzie, who is also a Craft Guild of Chefs Master Craftsman and former Hospitality Guild Mentor of the Year.
“Not only does it offer classics but it also offers classics with a twist. So along with mac’n’cheese, for example, we’re offering mac’n’blue, made with some wonderfully creamy – and strong - strong blue cheese.
“And, while I’ve no doubt it’ll prove popular with students missing a taste of home, there’s something there for diners of all ages.”
To celebrate the launch of the new menu, Osbornes is running offers on selected days of the week. Dog Day Monday gives diners two ‘dogs’ and two drinks for £10; Scotch eggs, chicken wings nachos and sausage rolls are just £2 each on £2 Tuesday; diners can enjoy two burgers, portions of fries and drinks for £14.95 on Wednesday or a small bowl from the Home Comforts range on Thursday for £4.50.
Osbornes is open seven days a week, from 10am to 11pm.
