Steak and kidney? Cheese and onion? Chicken and leek? The classic pork pie? Whatever your favourite filling is, this week offers every excuse to celebrate the ultimate comfort food.
British Pie Week is back: an event first launched in 2007 as a marketing campaign by ready-made pastry manufacturers Jus-Rol but which has since evolved into much more.
It now celebrates all things pie and - as we in the North East know a thing or two about a top pie (we've even had a local landmark created in the pastry treat for a previous British Pie Week) - we’ve come up with six places in Newcastle where you can find a mighty fine example.
British Pie Week runs until Sunday so there's still plenty time to indulge.
Our pick of six merely skims the crust of the city's pie offerings but we've included a range of price options among them.
Greggs
Branches include 24-32 Northumberland St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7DE, 0191 261 9720
We could not miss giving the Geordie favourite a mention and its stores are dotted throughout Newcastle with late opening at several of them to ensure a savoury treat is never too far from reach. Its no-nonsense local fare includes the ever-popular mince pie - in the North East anyway - or check out its full menu here.
Iceland also sells Greggs fare.
The French Oven
Unit 27, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5JQ, 07921082953
For those of you who haven’t got time to dine out or want to buy something hot for lunch, The French Oven, have a vast selection of homemade pies on offer starting from £1.40 (for mince and onion; or mince and mushy peas).
You can choose from classics such as mince or ham and egg to specialities like pork and plum; chicken balti; pan haggerty; Mediteranean roast veg and feta, and steak and Newcastle Brown Ale pie. There’s definitely something for everyone. To see their full menu go to www.frenchoven.co.uk.
The Redhouse
32 Sandhill, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3JF, 0191 261 1037
If you love pies then you have to try The Redhouse on Newcastle’s Quayside which is all about ‘great food, beer and banter.’ It specialises in pie and mash and has an extensive menu featuring pies for both meat lovers and vegetarians, such as sausage, apple, cider with onion plus spinach, goatscheese, sweet potato and onion chutney pie. Hand-made from Amble Butchers in Northumberland, the pies are all served with a choice of mash, peas and liquor (posh gravy). A one-pie meal is £8.95 and there's an option to add an extra pie for £4 more. To see its full menu go to www.theredhousencl.co.uk
During British Pie week it is hosting a Great British Pie Off with new varieties on the menu inviting customers to vote for a favourite which then will become a permanent feature of the menu.
The Broad Chare
25 Broad Chare, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3DQ, 0191 211 2144
Since this traditional-style boozer was launched in a joint venture between Live Theatre up the road and Newcastle restaurateur Terry Laybourne it has made good on its promise to serve proper food and proper beer in a proper pub.
Customers have the option of bar menu downstairs or going for a restaurant-style experience upstairs. Either way, they're in for quality, seasonal produce and making appearance on the 'bar snack' section is a hand-raised pork pie for £4.20.
Snack doesn't really do justice to this pie which is described as being almost a meal in itself and usually comes served with home-made piccalilli. One TripAdvisor reviewer called it "the best pork pie I've ever eaten".
See more about the menu at thebroadchare.co.uk/proper-food/
The Forth
Pink Lane, Newcastle, NE1 5DW, O191 232 6478
This city centre pub, close to Central Station, has a laid back relaxed atmosphere that makes you want to stay all day. The bar offers 10 speciality beers and ciders and five carefully kept real ales, as it’s all about quality, not quantity.
It serves freshly prepared pub food every day and, while it has previously offered a selection of pies, it is currently advertising a new menu with one stand-out pick of a Marvellous Pub Grub Co. chicken and leek pie, also including mushroom, pancetta and a white wine sauce, under a puff pastry lid, served with mash and red wine gravy, for £11.
To see more of its menu go to www.theforthnewcastle.co.uk/food
The Botanist
Monument Mall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7AL, 0191 261 6307
Since it opened back in 2014 The Botanist in Monument Mall has been extremely popular meaning it’s fairly difficult to book a table for food, unless you’re incredibly organised. But if you’re lucky enough to have a table during British Pie Week, you can choose a twist on a classic pie flavours with mushroom and squash for £10.95 or - for £11.50 - the more traditional steak and ale; lamb and mint or chicken and bacon.
All are served with mash, mushy peas and gravy.
See its full menu at www.thebotanist.uk.com .
