Osborne Road sees another new restaurant open today, as a Jesmond outpost of Ponteland restaurant Branches replaces The Cherry Tree.

Branches Ponteland has been ranked number one in its locality on TripAdvisor and has received Diners’ Choice Award 2018 for the third year in a row. The Jesmond restaurant will follow Branches Ponteland’s aim of “elegant dining”, with new dishes and cocktails added to the menu.

According to Sophia Elizabeth, media and marketing co-ordinator, the restaurant uses only locally-sourced produce and has its own house herb garden. Vegetarians, Vegans and other dietary requirements such as gluten free are also catered for at Branches.

The interior of the new restaurant has a lighter feel than its predecessor, with a white cherry blossom tree in the centre, next to three VIP booths. Elizabeth told JesmondLocal: “I think people will have a shock when they come in, as it’s completely different to what it used to be.” The restaurant can seat up to 140 guests on two floors, with an upstairs private dining room which can seat up to 20 diners. This can cater for private functions such as baby showers and business conferences. The restaurant will also have a “selfie station” where guests can check-in and take photos of their Branches Jesmond dining experience.

Branches Jesmond’s main offer is its Taste of Branches menu, a five-course menu for £22.95, which is available on Fridays and Saturdays. Branches head chef Cevat Robert Elat, who won North East chef of the year 2015/2016, told JesmondLocal that he thinks the five-course menu is  “great value”.

According to Elizabeth, it was always Branches’ plan to expand and the Jesmond restaurant  is almost fully booked already for Mother’s Day on Sunday 11th March. Visit http://www.branchesponteland.co.uk/ for more details.