Bit out of our stomping ground but as Paul’s Dad lives in Tynemouth, we made the trip North for a good old fashioned Sunday Roast at Barca.

Barca Art Bar & Restaurant is slap bang amongst the action in the middle of Front Street with a cosy, quirky bar downstairs and a more spacious and even quirkier dining room upstairs. With an obvious nod to the Art part of the name, the walls are lined with pieces from local artists both for display and sale.

Settled in to our booth, we picked starters from the modest but very eclectic menu. There really is something for everyone and even a kids menu too.

Chicken Satay. Delicious and generous. The meat had been cooked with a char so added an extra flavour to the asian style vegetables and satay-esque broth base. Not as peanuty as I was craving but light, fresh and delicious. A great start to the meal.

The halloumi and pumpkin salad (£5.50) was again a light and fresh start to the meal. With 3 thick slabs of well grilled cheese, it was a good portion for a starter and also available in a larger main size. Could have done with a little more dressing for the leaves but a definite re-order.

The boys ordered something a little warmer and more substantial. The Moroccan meatballs (£5.95) were a perfect winter warmer and would have been perfect as a main course. The sauce was incredibly flavourful and moreish.

The Sunday Roast was the winner of the trip though. The Northumbrian Beef (£9.95) was thickly cut, juicy and tender. Crispy garlic roasties and red wine gravy went well with the fresh veg. The veg was just how I liked it – cooked but with a little bit of a fresh snap to it. Nothing worse than mushy veg!

As we were all stuffed and couldn’t face a full dessert, we were so incredibly impressed that we could buy cheese by the slice (£1.50) for a mini cheeseboard each. The bargain price of 1.50 included crackers, apple, celery and chutney.

Doddington cheese all round. I’d definitely order some cheese if I ever went back for a drink…. who doesn’t love cheese eh?

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and if we were in the area, it would be the top of our list to re-visit.