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Review: What We Thought of Lovage's New Sister Restaurant Osters in Gosforth

Review: New Restaurant Osters in Gosforth
Reviews
February 2024
Reading time 3 Minutes

We check out Gosforth's newest dining destination

The sister restaurant to Jesmond's Michelin-recommended restaurant Lovage opened in December, and chef Kleo Tabaku has created a seasonal menu which highlights locally-sourced ingredients and a variety of fish dishes.

Escaping the rain and bleak winter weather, we head through the glass doors into the restaurant which is already busy with evening diners. A Scandinavian theme runs throughout with wooden tables, mood lamps and lots of seafood-inspired artwork hung from the walls. At the far end of the restaurant is a small bar where a couple are enjoying a glass of wine, beyond which is the open kitchen. 

Our table is in the heart of the restaurant and after taking our seats our attention quickly turns to the extensive drinks menu. I order an elderflower fizz (Prosecco with elderflower syrup) whilst my dining companion goes for the English rose mocktail made with Tanqueray 00, Sicilian lemonade and rose syrup. 

Despite there being plenty of fish starters (including a delicious sounding lobster ravioli) I order one of the meat dishes. The honey and ginger venison skewers are cooked perfectly and there is just enough carrot and star anise purée for each mouthful. My friend goes for the tempura cod cheeks with aioli and fennel pollen and we’re pleased to see our starters are on the smaller side as we’ve also ordered some snacks which are served alongside. We share four slices of warmed Pink Lane focaccia which we dip into oil and balsamic vinegar, as well as a selection of mixed olives, and would highly recommend you do the same when you visit.

Soon after we finish our starters our mains arrive. My friend’s wild bass with dill crushed potatoes is a generous portion, served with smoked leeks and sauce vierge. I can’t resist trying some, and the fish is cooked beautifully. Similarly, my roast monkfish falls off the bone and is served with a fragrant coconut bisque, pak choi and chilli. It’s delicious, and clearly the most popular dish on the menu as almost every table around us appears to have ordered it. 

For those who aren't in the mood for fish there are plenty of other options on the menu, including slow-cooked ox cheeks, braised lamb shank and a flat iron steak – there are also more traditional fish dishes such as tempura haddock with hand-cut chips served with an Osters twist. 

After polishing off our mains we take a look at the dessert menu, and my mind is instantly made up after seeing the dark chocolate tart. Topped with pistachio brittle, vanilla ice cream and morello cherries, it’s the perfect combination and the chocolate simply melts in the mouth. Across the table, the crema catalana, a Spanish dessert similar to a crème brûlée, is served with a peppercorn shortbread and is quickly pronounced delicious.  

We finish the last of our drinks and savour every mouthful of our desserts before heading back into the cold night, content and full of fabulous food. Osters is clearly popular with the locals already and we can’t wait to return for seconds.


What we expected:

A new neighbourhood restaurant serving seafood.

What we got:  

Delicious dishes served in chic surroundings.

What we wish we’d tried: 

The Lindisfarne oysters with Hepple gin and tonic granita. 

125 Gosforth High Street NE3 1HA
0191 825 0240
osters.co.uk

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