THEY say you never explore the things that are right on your doorstep.

It’s why most New Yorkers have never been to the Statue Of Liberty, or why you don’t hear many Cockney voices on the London Eye.

And so it was with me and the Northern Hotel – years living around the corner from it and I’d never set foot in the place.

Never, that is, until a blend of curiosity and hunger finally tempted me through the door.

While not exactly the Trump Tower of the North-east, the pleasant art deco interior welcomed us in.

To start, my brother and I opted to share the nachos (£4.85). The bowl of tortillas that arrived was dripping in salsa and bubbling cheese, with pleasantly hefty portions of guacamole and sour cream on the side.

My beef olives (£9.25) were chunky beasts stuffed with haggis.

The meat was delicious but could have done with a bit more gravy and the instant mash was a bit disappointing.

No such problems for my brother, whose BBQ chicken (£11.25) came wrapped in bacon and cheese, smothered in a tangy sauce.

The obligatory fries were well-cooked and the accompanying yellow and red peppers were really fresh and crunchy.

It might have been the first time I’d dropped in, but I doubt it will be the last.