Solstice By Kenny Atkinson in Newcastle upon Tyne

Wow! We literally have no words! Kenny and the team were an absolute delight. We have been to many Michelin and 2 Michelin stars, but this has been the most enjoyable evening. The staff are just wonderful, the knowledge they share amongst them to make you feel at home is incredible and having low level modern music playing makes you feel at home in an extremely relaxed environment. This is a superb Michelin star, food and service worthy but with an amazing personable experience. The food was truly exceptional, we can honestly say we've never tasted food like it. For us it's the "why". Most places tell you what they've done and how they've done it, but the team tell you why the food has been cooked in a certain way and quite honestly the pictures cannot do the level of intricacy justice. This is definately a bucket list restaurant.

I can't remember exactly when I visited in 2023, but this was a really special experience. Everything was presented immaculately and tasted incredible. The service was super attentive without being intrusive. If only I could afford to come more often!

This is food and service of the highest level. The quality of the food is worthy of a second Michelin star, for sure. The staff are very engaging, knowledgeable and interesting. The wine pairings are well matched to the many courses. I can not wait to return again. This small restaurant deserves great recognition for Chef Kenny and the team.

It is rare that I find myself able to visit such wonderful restaurants and have the opportunity to enjoy food and drink at it's very best. I grew up imagining that my love of food would always be limited by a clear divide of North and South, suits and dinner jackets and the rest of us. The staff at Solstice have managed to create such an amazing offering of incredible personal service, delicious food and drinks that truly represent what the North of England has to offer.  Every dish and accompanying wine or coffee was perfect. There were moments when I literally laughed after trying food so full of flavour that I struggled to maintain composure, that at 35 years old I can still be pleasantly surprised by new flavour combinations was an absolute surprise to me, particularly given that I mostly eat at Newcastle's Malaysian and Indian restaurants, that I could enjoy such flavourful British food was a real joy and a testament to the skill of those who work here. I would recommend Solstice to anyone who has a real love of quality gastronomy. If it's slightly out of your price range, do without for a few months, support this gem of a place and know that every penny is well spent, this restaurant and the staff here offer incredible value and service and absolutely deserves the support of all of us.

Wow - where do I start? I’ve had the opportunity and the privilege to dine in some of the finest restaurants in the UK and overseas. Having already experienced a number of Michelin starred establishments, I had high expectations from Kenny Atkinson’s, Solstice. Not only was I not disappointed, I was actually blown away by the incredible food, the intimate venue and the faultless service. I couldn’t help compare the level of ingenuity of the menu; the number of ingredients used - that complemented each other; the intricate and no doubt complex processes that go into making each dish and of course the most important thing - the incredible taste and quality of the food itself - with other One Michelin star awarded restaurants I’ve been to. This is head and shoulders above - WAY above - it surely has to get a second star! At £175 per person, we counted 14 courses. This includes 9 savoury dishes and 3 desert dishes plus petit fours to finish with. You don’t actually get to see the menu until after you leave, when you’re presented with it in a black envelope to take home. Each course is explained in great detail by the staff, as they present it to you. I have often had the experience with tasting menus, of one or two courses that are sometimes “under par” - not as good as the others. Not here though - every course was outstanding The course entitled “Beetroot” was absolutely fantastic. A taste explosion - like fireworks going off in your mouth. It took you on a journey, experiencing different tastes and textures, the more you chewed. Phenomenal! It was a one bite course and it culminated in experiencing “chewy beetroot” - the numerous processes of which included freeze drying it, had been explained to us by Kenny himself. The tiny dishes always seem to make you think that you’re going to feel hungry afterwards but I couldn’t have eaten anything else. It was just the perfect amount of food. The various dishes were entitled: Eel; Beetroot; Duck; Sashimi; Pea; Scallop; Catch of the Day; Takoyaki; Lamb; Pink lady Apple; Pineapple; Honey. All stars in their own right. Service was impeccable, knowledgeable and intimate. Staff a friendly, respectful and welcoming. Since I visited with someone who is currently abstaining from alcohol, we opted for the two mocktails on offer. This was the only disappointing experience of the evening. The choice was limited and the drink was small and underwhelming. We’d recently been to The Pheasant in Harome where the mocktails were a plenty and interestingly adorned and presented and also really tasty. This is my only negative comment. Everything is was sublimely perfect 👌 I shall be returning!