Unos (Unos)

Member Name: juicy_lucy

Product:	Unos
Date:	04/07/06 (511 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lively atmospehere

Disadvantages: Not the best food

This is one place in Newcastle which seems to have been here forever. It's one of those places which will probably always be popu;ar because it's right on the quayside, and serves good hearty food at a reasonable price.

How to get there...

As I said, the restaurant is right in the heart of the quayside, which is now pedestrian only access so the best thing to do is park on dean Street and walk down...no way will you be able to park outside.

Once on the quayside, look downwards, because that's where you're going...downstairs!

The Restaurant...

Just a couple of steps and then you're in, and it really does have a bit of a cellar feel. The first thing you come to is the small bar area, always bustling, with people sitting on the stools, and standing at the bar chatting.

The tables are dotted around the three rooms, and although they look pretty random, there will most definitely be an order to it all. Most of the tables are round and seat 4 or more people, probably because it is a place for groups. However, mostly around the edges, there are planty of tables set for 2. The tables are set very traditionally Italian, with the obligatory candles, although this time, not in bottles.

Look around at the walls, and there are lots of interesting prints and pictures- my friend tried to buy one but they're not for sale! also adorning the walls are signatures of famous people who have been into the restaurant, so i would imagine they won't be overly keen to do a full redecoration.

All in all, a very traditional feel, cosy, lived in, although not shabby in any way.

The Food...

The menu caters for most tastes, serving as it does, pizzas, pastas, and main dishes of chicken, beef, lamb etc, all served with potatoes or chips. There is also a selection of vegetarian options.

The starters are varied and include such favourites as garlic bread, soup, potato wedges, garlic mushrooms. In fact, as we studied the menu, we noticed that it was all fairly heavy on the garlic.

Last time we went, we went in a group of 5, so there was a variety of food ordered, such as chicken wings, prawns, seafood selection and garlic mushrooms for starters. these were all eaten and approved of; the portions are hearty sized and you don't come away hungry.

The main course was a bit more "hitty missy". Two of our group ordered penne amatriciana, which came complete with soggy pasta (nothing al dente here) and sauce which had obviously been cooked earlier on, and left to cook for too long. No matter, being unfussy, it was still all eaten. The main dish of prawns was pronounced as delicious as was the chicken escalopes although the veg were a tad overcooked.

The major galling thing about the meal was the fact that before the starter the waiter brought us some bread which was charred. We asked for some unburnt bread, but it never arrived...or so we thought. however, when the main course soup dish arrived, it did come complete with charred bread!

Prices...

For what you get, this place does offer good value for money. The pizza and pasta dishes cost around £4.95, whilst the main dishes cost around £7.95.

It's even better value if you go before 7pm, because then you get the benefit of Happy Hour.

However, for 5 of us, with starters, main courses and drink, not eating during Happy Hour, the total bill came to £88, which isn't too expensive for established city centre eating.

Other bits of information...


Toilets: these are located right at the front door, soi there are often people straight off the street! Not the best, but clean and they do sell those disposable toothbrush things.

Service: Friendly staff means that your visit is a pleasant one. they are permanently buzzing about the place, mainly because it's always so busy, but are always on hand if you want to order more drinks...a definite plus.

Address: 18 Sandhill, Newcastle upon Tyne. NE1 3AF

Telephone: 0191 2615264

What i thought...

Over the many years this restaurant has been here, I have been lots of times; one good thing about it is that it's open on a Sunday so if you don't fancy a pub lunch, it's an ideal alternative.

The staff are friendly and helpful, and there is a definite buzz about the place, although sometimes it can be very busy and you could have a long wait at the bar. if you want to go at peak times, it's probably best to book; last time we went was on a Wednesday night, and we booked beforehand because there were 5 of us...had we not done so, we would have had to wait for a table.

The food, whilst not the best, does come in large hearty portions, and everyone came away feeling as though we had had a good sociable night out, at a good price.

The restaurant is also very family friendly, and even if you go along with children, there are no raised eye brows, they are welcomed into the place.

i do recommend the restaurant, because as they say, it's "horses for courses". Whilst not the best food I have ever eaten, the restaurant has a party atmoshere whichever night you visit, and being in the centre of Newcastle, is an ideal place to start the night.

Thanks for reading.

daniela xx

Summary: Great atmosphere, a restaurant in the heart of Newcastle