Solstice, the Michelin-starred restaurant on Newcastle's Side, has earned a new accolade: its crab dish was selected as a Michelin Inspectors' Dish of the Month for May. The dish, described as 'crab with brown crab sabayon, jelly disc and sea herbs', impressed an inspector from the moment it was tasted.
Michelin Inspector's Verdict
The Michelin Guide's monthly feature highlights standout dishes found during inspections across Britain and Ireland. For May, Solstice's creation was one of three chosen. The inspector wrote: 'This dish was a wonderful celebration of crab in a variety of forms - as soon as I took a bite, I had that instant hit of fresh crab flavour.'
Scottish white meat formed the base, topped with a jelly disc made from reduced brown crab stock. A rich brown crab sabayon was poured over, and sea herbs added 'freshness and zip'. The inspector concluded: 'With this dish, Kenny Atkinson successfully elevated the natural flavours in a refined, distinctive way, while keeping all of their natural purity.'
Solstice and Kenny Atkinson's Restaurants
Solstice is one of two Michelin-starred restaurants run by chef-patron Kenny Atkinson in Newcastle, the other being House of Tides on the quayside. Solstice offers a small-scale fine dining experience with intimate surroundings. Its tasting menus include a Lunch Experience of 12-15 courses and a Dinner Experience of 15-18 courses, each with optional wine flights. Diners are advised to allow two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half hours for their meal.
Atkinson also operates Solaya in London at the art'otel Hoxton, which opened last autumn. House of Tides recently launched after-hours Sunday events featuring a 'Sunday Feast' menu described as 'a refined, well-priced take on the traditional Sunday roast'.
Other Michelin Dish of the Month Picks
The other May selections were a Wiltshire beef fillet dish at Prithvi restaurant in Cheltenham and an asparagus flatbread with duck egg at Ardfern in Leith. Additionally, Isla in Durham, a modern British eatery by the team behind Coarse, was added to the Michelin Guide in June.
