Pine

British, Modern European·
££££
·
Gold Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Pine

Gold Award

An old cow barn in a windswept Northumberland field isn’t traditionally where you’d expect to find a nineteen-course fine dining odyssey. Yet, here we are at Pine, snuggled into a pair of leather-backed chairs, watching the rain hammer against huge panoramic windows. The view is no doubt better in the summer, but despite the storm raging outside, Pine has plenty in store to warm the soul.

The agricultural roots of this vast old barn are still evident, but not negatively so. The dining room is airy and spacious thanks to a vaulted ceiling high overhead, and pride of place is given to the open kitchen, where chefs busy themselves smoking whole ducks over the open grill and carefully tweezering starters at the pass. It’s clear that this is a restaurant that cares about the smallest things. Even the menus are a work of art - old menus are reconstituted to make paper for new menus, and sowed with wildflower seeds so guests can plant them in the spring.

This is just one of many strokes of genius at Pine. In the kitchen, Cal Byerley and Ian Waller assemble dishes with surgical precision and a painterly eye. The menu is clever in a macro sense too - nineteen courses have the potential to overwhelm, but there’s a gradual building of flavour and clear consideration of quantity and pacing. Delicious early snacks like blowtorched mackerel with sugar kelp and borage flower, and raw scallop with rhubarb and rose geranium lean into sharp, fresh and herbaceous notes to wake the palate ahead of bolder things to come. Pine’s Evergreen Sour (pine vodka, pine syrup and egg white) is somewhat of a signature and makes an excellent accompaniment to the early courses, before sommelier Vanessa Stoltz takes over to guide you through the rest of the menu.

From there comes a procession of brilliance - an outstanding einkorn sourdough with roasted squash butter and parsnip molasses, a chunky slab of monkfish, spooned generously with a frothy fennel sauce, and the duck we saw earlier, now carved off the bone and drizzled with glossy black garlic jus.

Service is breezy and charming, in a way that makes everything feel effortless and never too much trouble. From front to back, Pine is an incredible achievement, especially given its relative young age. We’re eager to see what else is in store for this rising Northumberland star.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - Over £80
Cuisines
British, Modern European
Ambience
Cool, Cosy, Fine dining, Quirky, Romantic, Unique, Widely spaced tables
Awards
One Michelin star, SquareMeal UK Top 100
Food Occasions
Dinner, Lunch
Alfresco And Views
Great views
Special Features
Chef’s table, Vegan options, Vegetarian options, Wheelchair access
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Romantic, Special occasions
Food Hygiene Rating

About

Michelin-starred Restaurant Pine in Northumberland proudly celebrates local British ingredients - often foraged and grown in it's on-site gardens - via innovative, contemporary tasting menus.

Head chef Cal Byerley and partner (and restaurant manager) Siân are the brains behind Pine - it is the couple's first restaurant and a highly successful one at that. Pine earned itself a Michelin star within nine months of opening and is also the owner of a Green Michelin star for its commitment to sustainable practices. 

The restaurant is set inside an old cow barn with views of the surrounding Northumberland countryside thanks to huge glass windows. It uses local produce from Northumberland or homegrown produce from its very own kitchen garden and indoor poly tunnels wherever it can, and practices whole-animal butchery to minimise food waste. 

In the evenings, a generous tasting menu is available using foraged ingredients from the surrounding area. Diners can watch the chefs hard at work in the open kitchen while they cook up the likes of sugar kelp dumpling with North Sea trout and sour cream, langoustine claw with artichoke and cured pork belly and yoghurt whey sorbet with elderberry, sorrel and hyssop granita. The menu has been designed by head chefs Cal Byerley and Ian Waller who met and worked at Michelin-starred Forest Side previously.  

Diners can opt to add a bespoke wine flight to the tasting menu, which has been expertly chosen by Pine’s head sommelier Vanessa Stoltz. Vanessa grew up in Alsace and has previously worked at Hipping Hall and Forest Side, before winning the Champagne Gosset Matchmakers competition with her partner Ian Waller.  

Pine serves a lunch menu on Saturdays, and also offers a dedicated vegetarian menu. Guests can choose between the regular tasting menu experience or a seat at the chef's table, where you get one-to-one service from Cal and his team. Guests also have the option of staying overnight at nearby Hygge, which offers a number of cabins for overnight stays. 


FAQs

Does the restaurant have a Michelin star?

Yes, it has one Michelin star, as well as a green Michelin star for sustainability.

Helpful? 0

Is there wheelchair access?

Yes, there is both an access ramp and service elevator at the restaurant.

Helpful? 0

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes, there is a dedicated vegetarian menu.

Helpful? 0

Location

Vallum Farm, Military Road, East Wallhouses, Northumberland, NE18 0LL

01434 671 202 01434 671 202

Website

Opening Times

Lunch
Mon Closed
Tue Closed
Wed Closed
Thu Closed
Fri Closed
Sat 12:00-16:00
Sun Closed
Dinner
Mon Closed
Tue Closed
Wed 19:00-00:00
Thu 19:00-00:00
Fri 19:00-00:00
Sat 19:00-00:00
Sun Closed

Reviews

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1 Review 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

M Stead

28 April 2024  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 4.5
Value 4.5
Hunger of the Pine

A recently awarded Michelin star (and Green star!) restaurant not far from Newcastle The food itself was bold and punchy, the intense flavours of the first snacks setting a trend on what to expect. Cal and Sian have something really special here with head chef Ian Waller . Sommelier Vanessa Stoltz deserves a special mention also, incredibly personable and knowledgable she was a huge factor in our enjoyment.

The restaurant space is light with floor to ceiling windows facing out over the Northumberland countryside, the low ceilings make it cozy yet spacious.

Worth the trip!

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Call Pine to make a booking on:

01434 671 202 01434 671 202

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