Six, Baltic, Gateshead Quays

The Good Lady was treated to a business Christmas lunch at the the Baltic art warehouse on Gateshead quayside. Named after its sixth floor location, Six has a reputation for modern cooking and stunning views. And speaking of views...

Smoked duck and citrus salad

Soft, smoky, cold duck breast with a well-proportioned edge of delicious fat. Salad of watercress and pink grapefruit, a good palate-cleansing contrast to the rich duck. Elegant presentation. Ate it all.

Sea bass with crayfish and lemon risotto

Two fillets of sea bass, with crisped skin and softly cooked flesh. Risotto straightforward, rice well cooked, underseasoned. A little more imagination with herbs would have helped.

Double chocolate mousse

The mousse was just milk chocolate mousse. I think a good mousse should be either deeply intense dark chocolate or have something like booze or chilli in it to liven things up a bit. But this reminded me of a Cadbury's supermarket chocolate pot. There was too much, and I was bored by the time I was two thirds through. A smaller, more intense experience would have been better. Presentation in a martini glass and berry garnish was nice, but a bit too fur coat for my taste.

Overall expectations are high. The view is fantastic (especially from the ladies' toilets), the food pleasant enough but not exceptional in its price range. Christmassy and nicely busy on the day we visited.

Service lovely and with personality, she got involved and made no mistakes. Maitre d' not as friendly and we were kept waiting to be seated. About £35 per head with one glass of wine.

Service 4/5

Food 3/5

Atmosphere 4/5

Value 3/5

SIX Restaurant
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead Quays, NE8 3BA

0191 4404948
eat@sixbaltic.com