The Blackbird in Ponteland will be serving a menu filled with festive favourites from November 29-December 23, with the pub’s festive tipi and historic Minstrel Gallery available for parties in the run up to Christmas.
Seasonal starters include winter vegetable broth; whipped chicken parfait with orchard fruit chutney; smoked haddock kedgeree croquette with curried mayonnaise; and beetroot carpaccio with goat’s cheese mousse.
Roast turkey leads the selection of main courses, served with apricot and bacon stuffing, honey-glazed vegetables, pigs in blankets and roast potatoes; while other options include a wild mushroom and potato pithivier; pan-fried sea bream; 12-hour braised featherblade of beef; and confit pork.
Dessert choices include traditional Christmas pudding; dark chocolate delice with blackberry ice cream; Christmas rum parfait; and passionfruit cheesecake, with vegetarian options available throughout.
The Blackbird’s unique Minstrel Gallery is also available to book in the run up to Christmas for private dining and parties, while larger parties can opt for the venue’s tipi.
The pub will be open every day except Christmas Day, serving its regular menu only on Christmas Eve from noon-8pm. A slightly reduced menu will be served from Boxing Day until December 30, while on New Year’s Eve its normal menu and specials will be served from noon-9pm. On New Year’s Day, the normal menu will be served from noon-8pm.
The Blackbird will also be lighting up the night sky on New Year’s Eve when fireworks bring the curtain down on an evening of partying complete with a guest DJ and live sax music. The venue’s regular menu, plus specials created especially for the occasion, will be served in the Tunnel Room and Minstrel Gallery from noon-9pm, while the festive tipi will be open for streetfood.
New Year’s Day will see the return of the Ponteland wheelbarrow race, starting and finishing in The Blackbird’s car park. Everyone is invited to come along and support the local tradition, with BBQ pizza and hot drinks served outside throughout the day.
