A BRIGHT modern bistro has opened where Darlington’s oldest restaurant once stood

The Northern Echo: The Juniper Tree, Darlington

The Juniper Tree, Darlington

THE gin-drinking trend shows no sign of abating and our love of this thirst-quenching highball cocktail will probably only increase as the weather warms up. Served correctly – lots of ice, generous wedges of citrus fruit, and a freshly opened tonic water – it’s the perfect summer drink.

One trio who don’t believe we have reached peak gin yet are Lewis and Max Sowerby and Diane Hutchinson, who have just opened the Juniper Tree, on Grange Road, in Darlington’s designer district. And while their focus isn’t solely on gin, their new business is aimed at the ‘gin-crowd’.

“Once the name was suggested, it just stuck,” says Lewis. “We’re not exclusively about gin, but it reflected the concept we were going for.”

The Northern Echo: The Juniper Tree, Darlington

Lewis Sowerby who runs The Juniper Tree, Darlington

The Juniper Tree is on the site of Darlington’s first proper restaurant, which opened in 1961. The Blue Lagoon was an institution in the town, and when the owners decided to retire, they approached Lewis, Max and Diane, who had enjoyed the food there on many occasions. “We knew Grange Road was a prime and well-established location,” says Lewis.

The new cocktail bar-cum-restaurant is warm and welcoming, with a modern/industrial-style interior. Since opening at the end of last year, there’s been breakfast on the menu from 9am and a mix of British, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food, served until 8pm on weekdays and 4pm on weekends. Many of the ingredients are sourced locally, some from just around the corner in Darlington’s covered market, with fruit and veg from Blair’s and meat from Andy Mulholland.

The Juniper Tree is eclectic in its décor, and in its customer base. Tables vary greatly in size to accommodate families and large groups of friends, as well as solitary eaters in search of somewhere characterful and friendly.

The cocktail menu is short in length, but not on style, and gin is not the only base spirit in the mix. An ever-changing cocktail of the week means there’s room for invention. There’s also a good range of non-alcoholic drinks on offer.

Gin is still in, though, and the Juniper Tree offers 60 different gins, with a variety of mixers. “It seems the market for gin is still continuing to grow, with new brands emerging regularly,” says Lewis. “I don’t believe gin has reached its peak just yet.”

  • The Juniper Tree, 25 Grange Road, Darlington DL1 5NA

Mason’s Gin Night, May 2

An evening with Masons brand ambassador Andre McAllister at the Juniper Tree, Darlington. Andrew will be taking guests through the Masons Gin range, talking about the inspiration behind the brand and the history of gin. £20 per ticket, which includes gin and tonic and nibbles.

Sample dishes from the Bistro Menu

Pan-fried king prawns infused with garlic, vanilla and chilli, £5.95

Home-made Scotch Egg, sweet potato crisps and piccalilli, £4.95

Venison and Juniper berry burger, streaky bacon, brie and chef’s relish, £11.95

Gently spiced lamb and chickpea stew, Lebanese flatbread, £8.95

Bubble and squeak cake, a perfectly poached egg and creamed peas (v), £8.95

Chicken escalope in crunchy panko, béchamel sauce and grilled cheese, £10.95

Chef’s signature Harira meatballs - Beef meatballs in a flavoursome and aromatic soup, Greek yogurt and za’atar, £9.95