The best new restaurant in Whitley Bay - Evan's Bistro | Evening and Children's Menu Review

I will start this post with a bit of a rambling disclaimer. If I have been paid to write something or received a complimentary meal/compensation in any form, you will see a '*This is a collaborative post' label at the beginning of the post. Technically, this is not a collaborative post as I did pay for our meal at Evan's Bistro, however I do think you should know that Evan's Bistro in Whitley Bay has a special place in my heart. My brother Mark is a director and the restaurant's executive chef and as his big sister I am hugely proud of him. Just because he is my brother though, I'm not going to give him an easy time. I am actually Mark's biggest critic and he hates cooking for me as he knows how judgmental I am. There is no point in me writing a false-positive review as it will just lead to disappointed customers and complaints which won't do anyone any favours in the long run. As he's my brother, if my experience had been rubbish I just wouldn't have written anything at all. Luckily though, it was all good so let's can crack on.......

You will find Evan's Bistro just by Whitley Bay Metro Station (in the old Tiger Bill's building - 201 - 203 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay. NE26 2SY). It's quite a large restaurant (around 85 covers) and has a modern/hipster feel to it with chalk boards, exposed bricks and booth style seating. It is very much a work in progress and it's fair to say that as this is their first restaurant, they are still finding their feet and I expect menus/opening times may be tweaked in the first few months so please check before heading over.

Evan's Bistro Whitley Bay | Opening Hours

• Closed Mondays
• Tuesday - Saturday | 11am - 3pm | Coffee, lunch and sandwiches (last orders 2:30pm) 
• Tuesday - Saturday | 5:30pm - 10:30pm | Bistro Menu (last orders 10pm)
• Sunday Lunch | 12noon - 4pm | Sunday lunch set menu priced at £9.50 for one course or £12 for two courses (last orders 2pm)

You can don't need to book at the moment and just need to pop in but if you're a large table you can call 0191 252 6532 to reserve a table.

You can view menus online here. There are also various specials which change regularly.

I wouldn't say I've been involved with the opening or anything but as the chef's sister I have been a sounding board at times for some of Evan's Bistro's plans and I love the passion that the team have. They really want to create something special and are constantly self-evaluating, holding team planning meetings and looking for fresh ideas. Not all restaurants do this and if you follow Evan's Bistro on Facebook, you'll have noticed that they are a family-run business who are all super passionate about what they do.

One of the areas they are especially passionate about, is their wine and beer list. They have taken a lot of time to source the best wines, lagers and ales and stock from a local brewery. The staff have taken part in training and are happy to recommend. Steve was recommended this organic lager which he really enjoyed whilst I played it safe and ordered Sauvignon Blanc. Wine prices are reasonable and priced from £4.05 a glass.

Heidi and Jack were very excited when their juice arrived in this special lightbulb glass - definitely a talking point (and yeah that I didn't need to fret about spillages). They decided it was a potion bottle and that drinking it would turn give them special magic powers.

 

Evan's Bistro Whitley Bay | Children's Menu Review

I always chat with Mark about how I am always disappointed when restaurants serve beautifully home-cooked grown-up meals but don't put the same amount of attention into the kid's meals. If a restaurant serves frozen chicken nuggets and chips, I always think I could just make that at home. If however they go the extra mile and cook homemade chicken and chips, I am always impressed and likely to go back time and time again. Mark shares my ethos and I know he will always put as much thought into the kids meals as the main menu - no turkey twizlers here! 

Heidi ordered her favourite pasta in tomato sauce which priced at £4.55 is very good value. Heidi cleared her bowl. She is turning into a bit of a diva though and as we eat out a lot, she complained that there was no Parmesan for her pasta! She's only 8 and I can't believe she has such demands. Anyway....I'm sure there will be parmesan waiting for her on our next visit.

Harry and Jack ordered chicken nuggets and chips - both freshly prepared and made in-house. Both boys think that Uncle Mark makes the best chicken nuggets ever - even better than McDonalds apparently. I have to agree that you can see the quality.

Evan's Bistro have employed local, young front of house staff and I think for a lot of them, it's their first job (yeah to Evan's Bistro for giving them an opportunity). Although nervous (I don't think it helps that I had taken my camera along and was photographing everything in site), the staff are very sweet and happy to help - they kept our drinks topped up and checked back on us at the right times.

Evan's Bistro Whitley Bay | Evening Menu Review 

I am heading back to Evan's Bistro next weekend for date night and I'll be trying out more of the menu then but on this occasion, as the sun was shining and we were by the sea I went for fish, chips and mushy peas (£10.45). A classic done well. I honestly could not fault this dish at all but I did have to share my fish with Steve and the kids as I can never manage a full fish by myself.

Steve ordered the oven roasted pink duck breast on braised red cabbage and honeyed figs £13.15) and I had proper food envy! I did manage to steal some and the duck and it was perfectly cooked with crispy skin and pink meat. Steve did say that he wished he had ordered a side dish with this so if you're going to order the duck, keep that in mind. I would 100% recommend you give it a try.

We were all pretty full up after our mains and if it was any other day I wouldn't have ordered dessert but as it was Heidi's birthday and I wanted to try as much as possible, we decided to treat ourselves. Another reason I am super proud of Mark is that he makes all of his desserts himself. I wish I had his skills! Heidi and Jack ordered a homemade chocolate brownie which was served warm and tasted incredible. Way better than anything you can buy in the shops.

Steve ordered the toasted hazelnut cheesecake which was also incredible. The portion was massive and I think next time, Steve and I will order this to share. Not much can beat homemade cheesecake! Trust me when I say, you need to try the desserts at Evan's Bistro. YUM!

Harry ordered his favourite - homemade sticky toffee pudding. You guessed it - also fantastic. The portion was also a good size and I honestly don't know where Harry puts it all.

I probably would have ordered Sticky Toffee Pudding if Harry didn't, but as he was trying that I went for Lemon Posset which is another of my favourites. Served with homemade shortbread and chantilly cream, it wasn't as heavy as the other desserts and I'd recommend this option if you're pretty full up but would still like something sweet to end your meal.

Of course, as it was Heidi's birthday, we treated her to a birthday cake too (although we brought this home as there is no way we could squeeze in any more food).

I am just so proud of Mark and the whole team at Evan's Bistro. We are a tough family to please but they definitely achieved it.

Just to mention - Evan's Bistro aim to be as inclusive as possible - they have Vegan options on their menu (more available on request), are fully accessible and have installed a changing bed that can hold up to 20 stone in their disabled bathroom. Another reason for me to be super proud of them :D

Find out more here:  www.evansrestaurants.com and you can show Evan's Bistro's Facebook Page some love here