Babucho isn’t somewhere I frequent all that often, but I was a massive fan of it when it was Coco Mo a million years ago (their Caesar salad was the best I’ve ever had). I’m also not normally a fan of Italian restaurants that claim to do Sunday lunch because, well, it’s not all that Italian is it?
Carrie and I were long overdue a gossip catch up, and being the amazing supportive friend that she is, she was willing to help me on my quest to try every Sunday roast the city has to offer. And that includes Italian restaurants.
Situated conveniently between Newcastle’s shopping district and the river front in the heart of the Quayside (and near Dean Street multi story for easy access), Babucho markets itself as a New York style brasserie, restaurant and bar. It boasts a large menu and cocktails just the way I like them (according to their website) but we were there for one thing and one thing only.
The menu is standard for what we’ve come to expect from our fair city; 1 courses for £13.95, 2 for £17.95 and 3 for £21.95 (although I have a feeling these may have increased very recently so might be worth checking the website on this) and whilst the lure of four cheese arancini was strong, I think we both knew we were there for a pudding on this occasion so bypassed the starters and dove head first into a main.
I went for chicken as is standard, and Carrie the beef (because she’s fancy) which both game with roasties, carrots and a side of veg to share (mash, cabbage and turnip) There was plenty of gravy (which was well seasoned but not over bearing) and the meats were both perfectly cooked (Carrie’s beef with a tinge on pink – just how it should be) the MVP of the plate though was undoubtedly the Yorkshire puddings, which were HUGE. Without a doubt the largest we’ve had so far (whey hey) and really crispy!
Pudding wise, we both went for the chocolate brownie, which, you’d be surprised being such a staple, how wrong so many places seem to get it (watch out for my review of the City Tavern coming soon for this very issue). Babucho however had no such issues, it was warmed through and served with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. I mean, what’s not to love?
Service was great and considering we didn’t have a booking we got a table no problem at about 2pm. It helps that the place is absolutely massive, and they can accommodate a high turn over of people in one afternoon. If a quiet, intimate lunch you were after, this probably isn’t the place as it’s really lively and bustling; It’s swankily decorated inside and felt like we were being glamourous ladies who lunched like in the Hills – so naturally we loved it!
All in all we had a great little lunch there on a dreary Sunday afternoon and I would highly recommend if you’re in that neck of the woods. In fact if they sold the Yorkshires separately with it’s own pot of gravy I’d be there for every hangover of 2020!
I have walked past here so many times and always wondered what it was like. The Sunday lunch actually looks decent and those Yorkshires look lush. x
I’ve only been to Babucho once and there were a couple of things that put me off – it was SO dark inside I couldn’t eat my food and it was full of very pretty young things heading off for their nights out which meant I looked so out of place in my giant snuggly jumper! It has kinda put me off going back!