If time were a measure of success, Italian restaurant Marco Polo in Newcastle would surely win after serving authentic Mediterranean food to locals for over 50 years.
Indeed, since 1974 the restaurant has held an impressive legacy, prioritising good quality ingredients sourced directly from an Italian deli. The team have always been passionate about crafting their own take on this crowd-pleasing cuisine, constantly reinventing the menu and getting creative with dishes.
Menus are updated weekly and include a pre-theatre selection, a la carte menu and drinks options. For an idea of what to expect, the current a la carte starts with grilled peaches, mozzarella, basil and balsamic glaze, alongside tuna carpaccio, pomegranate, orange, pickled cucumber and fennel.
For mains, the goat's cheese, betroot and spring onion risotto sounds delicious, as does the pan-fried chicken breast with marsala cream sauce, green beans and crispy parma ham. It's hard to deny the allure of the seared tuna steak with balsamic onions, capers, tomato, pomegrante and red onion salad. Afterwards, indulgent desserts such as chocolate cake with Chantilly cream, summer fruit cheesecake or passionfruit and pistachio panna cotta keep guests happilly satisfied. As for drinks, think a long list of wine options, alongside classic cocktails and some playful twists such as the blood orange negroni.
This innovative attitude also spans across the atmosphere and decor, with a design scheme that feels modern and fun, with a few nods to classic Italian trattorias, too. Exposed brick walls and Chesterfield sofas rub up next to mounted graphics of black and white photos depicting old Italian dining scenes. A glass mezzanine space and double-height ceilings creates a sense of ambience, with a buzzy vibe up and downstairs.
Plus, for those who are interested in venue hire, Marco Polo is a popular private dining space with options that include a complete takeover with one of the largest capacities in the city.