No food served at Eat! Carter dining experience

May 9 2009 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

THERE was no pie in the sky for diners at a floating dinner table overlooking the famous Get Carter car park. Culture chiefs had planned for the 22-seated table platform to be winched 50m up into the air by crane.

Sadly the blustery conditions meant no food was able to be served, but that did not stop people from enjoying the fantastic views of Newcastle and Gateshead.

Would-be diners got to experience the heights with several trips 25m up in the air.

After he had returned to earth, Dan Robinson, 41 from Wylam, said: “It was absolutely fantastic to be up there.

“It’s a real shame we weren’t able to have a meal, but it was still good to get a look at Newcastle and Gateshead from a different angle. It is definitely something I would try again if I can.”

Billed as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the plans fell foul of the bad weather and as a safety precaution guests were told they wouldn’t be able to tuck in to 70s-inspired prawn cocktail and black forest gateaux.

But they didn’t leave on an empty stomach – instead being offered roof-top views overlooking the Newcastle and Gateshead Quaysides from the slightly warmer confines at the Hilton hotel. At two-and-a-half times the height of the Angel of the North, diners would have been seated around an open-air dining table at the same level as the never-opened restaurant at the top of the Gateshead Trinity car park.

The restaurant has been empty for 40 years and was made famous in the cult film starring Michael Caine.