'Bridges and sandwiches' - why Newcastle's Gino D'Acampo's tea for two is so unique

Tea, sarnies, scones and cakes, aye? Nowt better on a sunny Quayside day.

Well, bar a pint and a pizza, probably, but at Gino D'Acampo, Newcastle, they've even got that market cornered, too.

Afternoon tea at an Italians, I hear you say? Well, just stay with me, it'll be worth it. Honest...

Tea for two - with my special guest

It's not often these days I get to go out with my beloved Nanna. She's taken me everywhere over the years, from caravan holidays to events she was catering, kitchen full to the brim with pies and party food, and literally everything in-between. As a kid, my summer holidays were spent at hers, I've even lived there when times got tough, she's always been there for me, through thick and thin. So it's nice to get her out from time to time, an active 91, but still, the outings lessen as the days dwindle for everyone, really.

When I was offered an afternoon tea for two, I genuinely couldn't think of anyone more well suited to be my review partner-in-crime. What Nanna isn't an expert in all things tea and cakes - they wrote the recipe books?!

Life lessons learned

First up, the refreshments. My pour of the English breakfast, we swerved the fizz, did NOT get the Nanna approval. 'Not think you should stir it first?'. Life lesson 1,001 noted.

It did, however prove the perfect accompaniment to the vast array of sweet and savory treats delivered our way soon after.

Three layers, all delivering something delightfully different. Floor one, all things quaint with a twist. Floor two was straight down the middle afternoon tea staples and up on the top deck, the final flourish, full of fruity, chocolatey and the downright lush.

Truffle cream cheese sandwiches with cucumber were out of this world, so too was the salmon, lightly cured and adorned with sweet peppers and dill on a ciabatta base.

I've made a million egg sandwiches over the years, but just can't comprehend how amazing Ginos made these ones taste - call me boring, but I'd eat a plate of them alone.

Nanna loved the Parma Ham bruschetta, with crystals of pistachio and a bed of nduja. It was spicey, but kept us both on our toes on to the second level of goodness.

Scones. Plain and currant. Does what it says on the tin. But no butter, just the most silky, sumptuous clotted cream and strawberry jam. What's an afternoon tea without them?

Time to reveal the ‘sweet monster’

And finally, the main event, well for a sweet monster like myself, the top shelf.

A blueberry and lemon tart, flourished with soft meringue was more than enough for Nanna, while I dived right into tiramisu, creme brulee and ferero rocher bejeweled

chocolate and hazelnut cheesecake. Stuffed doesn't come close.

Bridges and sandwiches

While the food wins hands down, the location really is the cherry on top.

'I've not been down here for years - and it's much more beautiful than I remember'.

Yes, Nanna, that not only made my afternoon, and it all worthwhile, but I couldn't disagree with a word of it. For a lass born and built in Walker and St Anthony's, shes knows this water and its history more than most who remain on this planet. High praise, indeed. The views from the floor to ceiling glass-fronted restaurant show the city's riches in all their glory.

If you, like me and my lovely Nanna, adore bridges and sandwiches, Ginos might just be the spot for you.

TASTE: ⭐⭐⭐

SERVICE: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

VIBE: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

RETURNABILITY ⭐⭐⭐⭐