The Blackbird Inn, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Official site of The Blackbird Inn - www.theblackbirdponteland.com

Official site of The Blackbird Inn - www.theblackbirdponteland.com

we recently visited this pub and first impressions were outstanding, we were greeted immediatly by friendly staff offered wine lists, menues, told about soup flavours for the day and made to feel welcome. On ordering our food we were told helpfully that one of the dishes was to be around 25minutes wait not perturbed we looked and the menues again to order a starter or snack while waiting on the main courses. None was to be had! After 30 minutes our food arrived and there things went badly wrong. The posh fishfingers costing £8.95 came with pea puree and homemade chips. The portion sizes were ridiculously small. 3 fishfingers small fries and thimble of peas. The steak and ale pie had a frozen puff pastry crust and the seasonal veg consisted of 6 carrot sticks, nothing else and potatoes were not included in the price of £8.95!!!!! After complaining and there were 3 other tables of customers doing the same, we were offered free coffees. Overall the beautifull surroundings and the friendly staff were not matched in any respect by the food portions. Portion control is definatly penny pinching. very dissappointing.

This pub has been terrible for over 18 months. Every time I visit Ponteland I hope it has improved but it is always so depressing to see what it has become. I have given it 1 star as the building deserves some credit. Otherwise it has turned into a really terrible pub.

the blackbird is what remains of a medieval castle,in Pontelalnd,recently under new management.great local food.great beer