Nick Grieves, chef-owner of neighbourhood restaurant The Patricia in Jesmond and French-inspired bistro Ophelia in Gosforth, has launched his third venue – Cafeteria.
Cafeteria, next door to Ophelia, is a departure from anything Nick has created before.
“This is a dining venue with a difference,” he said. “It’s the antidote to the homogenised double shot, low-fat, full-foam chain coffee shop culture we’ve gotten used to, with their identikit décor, muzak, loyalty card scheme, and bewildering array of cup sizes full of foam.”
Cafeteria takes its inspiration from eponymous ‘caffs’ of yesteryear, with a focus on classic, inex-pensive, homecooked meals of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
“We’re talking red and brown sauce bottles on the table, proper salt and pepper shakers, paper napkin dispensers, stainless steel teapots and pretty much unbreakable Duralex classic white ca-fé crockery, glass sugar pourers, laminate tables and fixed moulded chairs you can’t move, the whole nine yards…” added Nick. “This is as retro as you can get without climbing in a time ma-chine.”
The menu features everything from toast and jam to pie and mash, a chip-butty and Vinny’s lem-on meringue pie.
“I’m very aware of the fact that people are looking for more individual dining experiences,” added Nick. “We wanted to bring something a bit different to the market, offering decent homecooked food at an affordable price, all served up in surroundings that are comforting and feel just a little bit familiar.’’
“I’ve always wanted to run a café serving the classics, it really revolves around the idea of cooking and serving honest food at a good price, underpinned by fantastic produce and really great ser-vice. I’m pleased to say that’s what Cafeteria is about. We serve up quality freshly cooked food with no airs and graces. As you’d expect, all the dishes we serve are all made with the same care and attention to detail that our guests have come to expect from our restaurant teams. As things develop, we can guarantee we’ll add even more classics to the menu.’’
Cafeteria, 6-10 Bowsden Terrace, Gosforth, Newcastle, NE3 1RX, www.cafeteriagosforth.co.uk
