Checking out the new talent in town - Elder & Wolf Whitley Bay

Third time lucky. I wanted to try out this new place for a while but as it is not open on Mondays & Tuesdays I've been left standing looking through the window a few times - tiny Tim style.
So when my friend and I wanted to walk somewhere for lunch this week, I knew where to go.

Luckily, it did not disappoint. The place serves food as tasty as it is pretty and the decor is modern, quirky and has plenty of Instagram appeal. Ok, I am a teenager at heart. Nothing like a picture of a drink with flowers floating around in it. Or the toilet. Might need to explain that one. They have a wall for customers' messages - see the post-it wall. Guess which one is mine?

They serve wood-fired pizzas, a concise list of generously-sized lunchtime dishes complemented by a few daily specials. The pizzas smell amazing and all the food is prepared at a customer-facing counter. The place has two seating areas; one at the front overlooking the wood-fired oven and one larger, art-covered room at the back. We chose to sit at the front to enjoy the smell of the oven and to check out the food leaving the kitchen, always a good way to get inspiration on what to have.

My friend ordered the Smokey Halloumi platter with comes with a side salad, pretty pink slaw, dips, salsa and flatbread (I tried this and it's a winner). I nearly copied her but spotted the Woodfired flatbread wrap with charred Northumbrian lamb, pomegranate salad, homemade garlic mayo, chilli & cocoa sauce and a splash of slaw (£10.95). We both chose a refreshing elderflower and rose drink. Check out those flowers!

We polished off all the food and it was delicious. The portions are generous so we might consider sharing a platter next time as a lighter snack. I couldn't fit in a dessert, but my friend ordered a white chocolate and raspberry blondie to take home and I had a flat white take out for the walk back. The coffee is lovely and by Pilgrims Coffee on Holy Island. Always a nice touch to have some regional produce. Pretty sure they get their meat from the best butcher in town, Nicholsons, which goes to explain the quality and also the slightly higher price point of the food.

It's a great place for a coffee catch up with friends or a nice lunch. I would try it for a casual dinner too, always a fan of the BYOB option.

All in all, a lovely new place within walking distance.

https://elderandwolf.com

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