Chance to step back in time for a feast fit for a king.

Byline: By Joanne Parkinson

Blackfriars

Friar Street, Newcastle

Tel: [phone]

Joanne Parkinson steps back in time for an eating out experience with a difference

Mead, roasted hog, candlelight and serving wenches... not the usual dining out experience in Newcastle.

But this was a dinner with a difference.

Blackfriars restaurant in Newcastle is cleverly making the most of their historical building and now offer medieval banquets in the function room, complete with all the trimmings.

On arrival we are ushered through the courtyard decked with fairy lights and through a heavy oak door into a dimly lit, flagstone-floored room.

People are huddled in small groups and a huge oak table dominates the room which is illuminated by candlelight only.

Father Andy, in full monk's robe, greets us and guides us to the bar where a serving wench offers us traditional ale, mead and wine all served in bespoke medieval tankards and goblets.

I'm feeling a bit queasy from the night before so politely decline the mead and opt for wine instead.

Meanwhile, my friend can't quite face 6.5% ale and instead sheepishly sups Stella Artois.

But we make up for our lack of adventure in the drinks department when the food starts to arrive.

It's so dark in the room we can barely make out the menu, scrolled on weathered paper in calligraphy.

But as Peter Bull, medieval musician, plays all manner of unusual instruments, we tuck into flat bread eagerly anticipating food unlike anything we've had before.

Seeded, spiced flat bread was just the tip of the iceberg and soon wenches began to serve spinach pie with a thick pastry crust, roasted suckling pig, chicken drumsticks, an array of homemade chutneys and special recipe sausages.

It really was a meat feast and a messy one at that ( the only utensils permitted were a silver platter and a dagger-like knife so after the initial awkwardness it was fingers all the way.

Last but not least was the delightful Michaelmas Pye ( a kind of strudel dessert on puff pastry, apple and blackberry ( delicious.

Apparently the Blackfriar's banquets are a huge hit with visiting Norwegians who can't get enough of the mead and meat.

Personally I think if you're bored with the usual eateries in town or looking for something different for a special occasion, the banquet would be a great night out with a group of friends.

Dressing in medieval costume is optional but encouraged. There is one large convivial table for all.

Medieval banquets are held quarterly. This year, banquets will be held on the following dates:

Friday, March 23, 2007

Vernal Equinox Medieval Banquet ( Blackfriars Guest Hall

A celebration of the March equinox which is sacred to Norse Goddess Iduna, bearer of the magic apples of life!

Friday, June 22, 2007

Summer Solstice Medieval Banquet ( Blackfriars Guest Hall

To mark the longest day of the year.

Our order...

First remove

Watercress sallet with cowcumber and violet vinagre or delicious spinnage pye

Second remove

Spit roasted suckling Pigge with a variety of condiments ( stue of orenges with clove, quinces preserved with cinnamon, pears and saffron, frumenty (cracked wheat), Hodgepodge, petitoes roasted with apples, gourmet sausages, drumsticks, turnep root pudding & mead glazed cerrets

Third remove

St. Michaelmas Pye (As tradition dictates, an elegant ring will be hidden within the pye with the lucky recipient being the next to wed!)

The cost of pounds 39.50 includes a mead reception, a fine feast, one bottle of fine wine or three large bottles of ale each.