You can’t miss Starks Kitchen if you’re driving down Chillingham Road in Heaton. The bright white signage and (stark) white interior really stands out from the rest of the shop fronts. Starks Kitchen has opened up where Cal’s Own used to be (the best pizza in the toon has moved to Jesmond). It’s a family-run venture, with husband and wife…
Tag: Local
The Rosebery Hotel – Jesmond
Nestled in the heart of Jesmond is The Rosebery Hotel, it’s almost hidden away behind gorgeous greenery on the corner of Rosebery Crescent. I was recently invited to review this charming boutique hotel and decided on a mid-week stay. The hotel is just off the Coast Road, around the corner from Dene’s Deli (best sandwiches in the toon, people!)…
The View – Tynemouth Longsands
Two years in the making, The View at Tynemouth Longsands, is now open for business! Owned by the Wilson family, who also own Crusoe’s, The View really lives up to its name… with huge ceiling to floor windows, there are panoramic views of the beach from every seat in the restaurant. The seaside theme is…
Branches Ponteland – Review
Branches Restaurant opened in Ponteland at the beginning of April, I spotted it on a random trip to Waitrose mid-April. The restaurant is on Brewery Lane, right next to the entrance to the Waitrose car park where Indian restaurant Sampan (RIP) used to be. This new venture is owned by businesswoman Aysha Pervez, with Chris Finnigan as Head…
Hinnies – Whitley Bay
When I read that the people behind Blackfriars, were opening a restaurant serving Geordie comfort food in Whitley Bay, I was interested. I mean, the name is propa cushty/lush/mint hinny! (Sorry) Hinnies is located on East Parade, looking out onto the sea front (where How Do You Do used to be) and even on a cold,…
Fenwick Food Hall Newcastle
Fenwick Food Hall has had a massive redevelopment, like MASSIVE. I went in last week without realising it had been finished and was in awe of how different it looked and just how spectacular it was. I was lucky enough to get an invite to the official launch event. Before I get to the event,…
Cake Stories Jesmond
Cake Stories Coffee House & Cakery is situated on the ever-so-pretty Brentwood Avenue in Jesmond. They opened their doors about five months ago after spending lots of time developing recipes and getting themselves sorted. I decided to pop along with a friend I hadn’t seen in ages. Cake, coffee and a good old catch-up were most…
Ringtons Tea
It won’t surprise anyone to learn that I (like most of the British population) enjoy a good cup of tea, so when I received an invitation to attend the #RingtonsXmasParty I jumped at the chance. Ringtons humble beginnings date all the way back to 1907 and I was looking forward to learning more about this well-known local business. First on…
Quilliam Brothers Teahouse – Which Brew Are You Going To Choose?
I’ve driven past Quilliam Brothers about 8 million times, and have always wanted to go in. Today was the day I eventually did! Located at 1 Eldon Place, next to the Hancock, in the most gigantic, beautiful building (Claremont Buildings), this place is an absolute delight. They’ve just celebrated their first birthday (of the tea…
Autentico Paint Workshop at Penny Pieces!
Last month I did a post on one of my favourite little shops, Penny Pieces, in Ponteland (read it here). In it I mentioned that Sylvia & Deborah had invited me to take part in a Beginners Chalk Paint Workshop, using Autentico Chalk Paints, to say thank you for featuring PP on my blog. The class was…
Happy Monday (even happier when it’s a sunny public holiday)
I love long weekends, especially those that involve sunshine, friends and ice-cream! The weather was actually pretty rubbish until today, but it’s still been lovely. We had friends visiting from London, who we haven’t seen in a few years… so we did some catching-up over good food at Dabbawal last night, and today we went to…
An Abundance of Prettiness at Penny Pieces
Penny Pieces is an adorable shop just outside Newcastle, in Ponteland, which has been open since December 2013. I’ve seen the flowery bicycle & sign many times as I’ve driven past but eventually visited for the first time a month ago as my cousin wanted to pop in. In Penny Pieces you’ll find fabulous shabby…
I Love The Grainger Market
I can’t believe I haven’t been to the Grainger Market very many times despite having lived here ALL my life (ok, with the exception of my two instances of living in France). This place is amazing. Let’s start with the history lesson, there’s a test at the end. I LIE! This indoor market was the…
Cafe Rosie’s Gosforth
I had the day off work yesterday and wasn’t surprised to see grey skies and rain when I looked out of the window. This immediately sent me into “lazy mode” which in a nutshell meant food, tea and tv (in that exact order). A good few hours later, my husband (who also had a day…
Arrighi’s Crescent Cafe – Seaton Delaval
ICE CREAM! Who doesn’t love a trip out for ice-cream on a sunny Bank Holiday? When I left the house the sun was shining, I’d been pottering around in the garden and I had already decided what I was going to choose when I got to Arrighi’s in Seaton Delaval. Typically the sun had done…
Cloud in a Teacup 