Great work on the part of Paul Johnson and Kelly Hopkins, who took over The Ship Inn, Wylam in July and aim to become one of the best gastro pubs around.
They’ve recently moved back to the North East after three years in Cornwall where Paul, who made his name in quality kitchens including Close House, has been working with none other but the double Michelin-starred Nathan Outlaw.
Small plates on Paul’s excellent menu, which has ingredients sourced from the likes of Hodgson’s fish of Hartlepool and Hall’s Butchers of Corbridge, include whisky cured salmon with pickled cucumbers and crème fraîche, and crispy monkfish cheeks with curry mayo. Main plates include mackerel on toast with heritage tomatoes and anchovy ketchup, and lamb’s liver with crispy bacon, mash and onion gravy. The Sunday lunch is a belter, there’s a special Shipwrecked beer created for the pub from Theakston’s, and it’s dog friendly too!
The Ship Inn, Main Road, Wylam, NE41 8AQ, tel 01661 854 538, www.theshipinnwylam.co.uk
