Last updated: December 06, 2024
When it comes to posh Sunday lunch, SIX Rooftop at Baltic have got it right! Their 3 courses for £40 Sunday roast offering is dreamy with a gorgeous choice of starters including Dorset crab risotto (which is one of the best I’ve ever had) and beetroot salad with whipped plant feta and candied walnuts.
With a new head chef at the helm, Carlson Landles has turned the humble roast into something quite brilliant.
“One of my main remits when I started was to elevate an already strong Sunday lunch to being special. I have done this by refining elements and fine tuning some of the cooking techniques and being consistent which can be the main challenge with a roast lunch” he told us.
You can expect a gorgeous high quality cut of beef (there’s also chicken on the menu), super rich gravy, perfect roasties and the creamiest horse radish ever.
“People always talk about the meat on a Sunday lunch but for me it is definitely all about the garnishes” said Carlson.
“Roast potatoes done perfectly in duck fat until they are golden brown and mega crispy. Mashed potato which is equal in butter and full fat cream and now we are into the braised vegetable season – my favourite is red cabbage in spices and Merlot cooked for a good few hours.”
Having worked with SIX Rooftop on separate occasions over 13 years, Carlson told us why it’s a special place to work. “What I love about it is the direction and ambition, as well as the unique level of teamwork amongst the staff. I have been with SIX Rooftop since 2011, over two stints, and I have always seen so many staff progress and rise through the ranks. I think this is really positive for the industry.”
We also wanted to know if there were any exciting changes being made to other parts of the menu or eating experience at SIX Rooftop. “I have just put my stamp on the current menu by refining the presentation and consistency. We have plans for 2025 to push on harder and raise the profile of the restaurant with a new and stronger menu. We will be bringing back some of the most popular dishes from 2024 and adding new exciting and fun dishes with bags of flavour.”
When talking about the current foodie scene in Newcastle which has really upped its game, Carlson has seen the restaurant scene grow massively since becoming a chef over a decade ago. “In the fine dining circles there are more options, and more Michelin stars. But the casual scene has also blown up, we are now spoiled for choice for a brilliant burger, authentic pizza or handmade tacos.”
And this excellent upturn in the success of Newcastle as a present day culinary destination can be attributed in part to apprenticeships. “At SIX, we have always fostered the apprenticeship route into culinary education” Carlson told us. “I myself began as an apprentice and have risen to head chef and see the value in the hands on approach and relying on a good mentor. We currently have two young apprentices within our team, with one more joining soon, and they add such freshness to the day and allows us to explain what we do and why we do it. After all, they are the future of the industry so we have to invest in them.”
The SIX Rooftop Sunday lunch offering is available every Sunday. Book now via the SIX Rooftop at Baltic website.
