The Lifestyle Edit Archives - Page 2 of 6

A Visit to Crêpeaffaire Newcastle

With the influx of new restaurants to the still reasonably new Grey’s Quarter wing of Intu Eldon Square, tucked away in a corner is one I’ve been looking forward to trying. Whilst the likes of Tapas Revolution and The Alchemist opened to huge fanfare, a smaller, more niche eatery opened on the ground floor…

Crêpeaffaire is a small restaurant that specialises in gorgeous, soft, French style crêpes. Whether you eat them sweet or savoury, these guys are experts in cooking up pancakes with all manner of fillings, and there’s a small selection of waffles available too if you fancy something (slightly) different. Plankton and I were invited along to try out the brand new luxury menu, however on arrival there was some confusion over this as seemingly there is no luxury menu – just one simple, easy to understand menu that’s been around since the Newcastle branch opened for business exactly one year ago this week.

Bananalicious crepe at Crepeaffaire Newcastle topped with whipped cream with a side of chocolate ice cream

BANANALICIOUS WITH EXTRA CREAM & ICE CREAM

Apple Crumble filled crepe topped with crumble, whipped cream and butterscotch sauce, with a side of ice cream

APPLE CRUMBLE WITH EXTRA CREAM AND ICE CREAM

We took a corner seat and scanned the menu with Plankton opting for a Bananalicious crêpe with Belgian chocolate, extra whipped cream, and a scoop of chocolate ice cream and a chocolate milkshake. I went for the Apple Crumble crêpe which I’m told is one of the most popular items on the menu. Promising lashings of cinnamon apple, sultanas, butterscotch sauce and crumble topping, I knew this was going to be good but still couldn’t resist adding whipped cream and vanilla ice cream from the extra toppings menu. I did however wash it down with a Kale smoothie which I think negates most of that right?

Everything is prepared from scratch in the open kitchen and the wait is short, we had our pancakes in front of us in around five minutes meaning I didn’t really need to entertain Plankton whilst we waited. Presentation, if you’re interested in that kind of thing is very good, the ice cream is served in a separate chilled bowl so that it doesn’t melt on the hot crêpes and the cream is served on the side for the same reason. Plankton needed help to cut his up but once sliced, it was polished off quickly with the odd pause to tell me how amazing it tasted and how we should bring Bo along next time.

Mine was completely lush, way better than I expected in fact, after all it’s just flour, eggs and milk right? With the cinnamon, apple and sultana it’s actually a pretty awesome festive treat and a great alternative to the traditional sweet mince pies or Christmas cake you see at this time of year. The ice cream cut through the sweetness perfectly and the kale smoothie made me feel like I was actually eating healthy food. Actually that’s a flat out lie but I’m a massive kale fan and can’t resist a bit of the green stuff in a smoothie if it’s on the menu.

The drinks menu has the regular coffee offerings you expect to see from a place that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; smoothies and milkshakes and fresh juices as well as a few others. With crêpes ranging in price from £5.10 to £8.50 it’s easy to rack up a bill when you start adding extras – ours would have cost just under £30 in total which we thought was quite expensive for the two of us.

WHAT’S THE VERDICT?

Crêpeaffaire is quick and easy, the food is good. I’m not a fan of savoury crêpes so can’t comment on those but there’s a wide selection on the menu including Eggs Benedict and Mexican Chicken so they’re definitely committed to giving their customers choice. Our crêpes were lovely and Plankton really enjoyed the whole experience but taking kids will definitely jack the price up so beware of those extras! It’s definitely on the more expensive side and portions aren’t huge so after we left, we visited the Christmas Market and bought snacks to pacify our hunger. Looking for somewhere with fast service and a tasty snack whilst you’re out in town? Then Crêpeaffaire will most definitely fill that gap but be aware that it could get costly. Lush, but a little pricey.

Pixie xo

Our meal was provided free of charge in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

Hadrian’s Tipi Returns to Newcastle

Hadrian’s Tipi is back in the Toon for the 2017 Christmas season! If you visited the festive Tipi on the Central Station site in Newcastle in 2016 then you’re in for a real treat this time round, it’s back on a brand new site and it’s bigger than ever!

I visited with Plankton for the official launch night and let me tell you, it’s nothing like last year! Hadrian’s Tipi can be found on the infamous old Odeon site at the bottom end of Northumberland Street, right in front of Commercial Union House. This year it comes with a whole Street Food village attached to it all lit up with festive fairy lights.

First up, access for the time being is a funny one, part of the site is still a working demolition zone so to access the tipi we had to walk down Pilgrim Street on one side and then back up the other. Plankton has been psyched about visiting the tipi for days, he’s called it the tutu and the pipi which has made things a little confusing but needless to say, when he saw it all lit up in the dark, I think he almost cried.

We were greeted on arrival with hot cider and mulled wine and before we’d taken two steps Plankton spotted a German bratwurst street food stall and his eyes lit up. We stopped to eat at a long picnic bench where the people either side were in great spirits and chatted to Plankton about his night, he told them he’d only just arrived but was planning on getting very drunk. Yes, he seriously said that. The bratwurst was good, at £5.50 it’s on the expensive side for a hotdog but in line with what you’d expect to pay for festive street food and he ate every last scrap of it so definitely worth it.

The tipi is marketed as child and pet friendly and we saw a few other families taking advantage of the large outside seated area at the back, and in the tipi itself watching the live music, as well as lots of people with dogs. We spotted my lovely pal Imogen from Newcastle fashion label Fash1 so Plankton took the opportunity to pet her adorable pet dogs by the open fire. The majority of people there were there for a night out but don’t let that put you off taking kids, we still had a great time during our visit and I’m biased of course, but the people in Newcastle are the friendliest people you’ll meet.

Launch night at Hadrian’s Tipi was busy. I took Plankton along not really knowing what to expect but the atmosphere there was great, and very festive. From the fir tree garlands inside the tipi to the decorated tipi poles, every effort has been made to ensure that it feels like Holiday season whilst you’re in there. There’s different live music on inside the tipi daily and there are wooden benches and crates to sit on and barrel table tops, if you manage to get in there early enough then be sure to grab a seat by the open fire pit to stay toasty and to create the perfect Instagram capture.

Plankton Tenenbaum drinking R Place White Hot Chocolate at Hadrian's Tipi — Plankton enjoying his White Hot Chocolate

Plankton and I wandered instead of staying static, and enjoyed trying out different foods from the street food sellers, we loved the white hot chocolate from R Place coffee and the American burgers from Fat Hippo and we’ll definitely back for more during the tipi’s 2017 stint. The new location makes it easier for families using the tipi on a weekend too, in fact it’s perfectly positioned for a hot chocolate after viewing the brand new Fenwick Christmas Window.

In or around Newcastle between now and Christmas? Then it’s definitely worth a visit if you want to amp up your festive-ness! Want to know Plankton’s views? His official review: “I thought it was going to be crap but it was actually awesome and I loved it!” Yeah, he’s got a real way with words this one…

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Glorious North East, The Lifestyle Edit

Newcastle in the Sky 2017

Back in March I told you about Newcastle in the Sky, a dining event brought to you by Events in the Sky and the same company behind The Experimental Diner. Newcastle in the Sky is something you can’t effectively explain without experiencing first. When I was booked for the event, it felt so far away in the future that I didn’t really think about it until the day rolled around

Newcastle in the Sky is back on the Gateshead Quays for its second year. After a sellout residence in Performance Square in 2016, round two is bigger and better with more award winning chefs from across the region on board to make the experience unforgettable. The concept is this: a purpose built dining table suspended 100ft in the air whilst you’re served your choice of meal. Simples.

I was invited on to the press table to experience the inaugural flight and the culinary delights of REDS True Barbeque, translation: All The Meats. I arrived early for my flight – guests are asked to check in 45 minutes before their flight – and was greeted with a champagne reception in the Sky Lounge. All guests are given a full safety briefing prior to flying, there’s a free cloakroom available to store bags, coats and whatever other loose items you might have, and there are toilets on site for that all important emergency wee.

After I soak up two double espressos and a glass of fizz, we’re walked over to the table for our safety briefing and I manage to convince myself that it’s not as high as I maybe first thought….

The seats swivel out and have a super sturdy 5 point belt system to make sure that you’re strapped in tight. once we’re all fastened in and have our feet firmly on our A4 sized foot plates, we’re hoisted (pretty quickly) up into the air. My first feeling is one of absolute terror, I’m overwhelmed by how quickly we get into the air, and by the fact that the whole contraption moves in the wind. However once I’m up there, within a minute I’m completely relaxed.

The location of Newcastle in the Sky offers amazing views up and down the Tyne and over the famous curved architecture of The Sage. The weather conditions dictate the height at which you’re able to safely dine; as the weather is on our side, we’re up at the full 100ft with spectacular views of our awesome city. There’s a perspex roof over the table in case of rain, but we’re in luck, we’ve got low wind and cloudy skies but very warm weather. We’re served a selection of typical BBQ meats including pulled pork and slow cooked ribs, with coleslaw, side salad and a rum cocktail to wash it down. Usually at food events everyone digs in straight away but this time people are more interested in the views on offer from this awesome height.

To give you some perspective, we’re way higher up than the Tyne Bridge and we’re able to look down on The Baltic and The Sage; Newcastle in the Sky is way higher than you’ve probably imagined. Half way through our 30 minute flight our table is turned 180 degrees to give us the alternative angle and I notice the network of railway lines that run out of Newcastle and towards London, something I’ve never been able to see until now. Being up so high allows you to see things in your city that you’ve never noticed before, things you’ll likely never see again.

Image by Chris Ord

The food we’re served is good quality American diner style food. It’s served in airline style strays (for obvious reasons) and it’s laced with REDS famous BBQ sauce which has a delicious tang. If you like meat then the Afternoon BBQ flight is a feast but this is more about the experience and the views than anything else. If like me you’re nervous about the thought of being suspended from a crane 100ft up in the air with a bunch of strangers then don’t be. The nerves vanish once you’re up there and you’ll make friends with the person next to you in the first 30 seconds, in fact they’ll become your best friend for the duration of your flight. The chefs talk you through the food you’re served on a microphone and the whole atmosphere is very informal, so much so that it’s completely suitable for single diners who also feel nervous.

Image by Chris Ord

The whole Newcastle in the Sky experience from start to finish is just that, an experience. It’s only around for six days and I’d urge you to try it Voyeurs. I was nervous – so nervous in fact that last year I cancelled at the last minute – and this year I’d jump at the chance to do it again. The selfie potential is epic, the views over the Tyne are unrivalled and you’ll talk about it fondly for ages after. Yes it’s pricey (tickets range from £50 to £150 each) but it’s worth it for the experience alone, if you’re on the fence about it just do it. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed, it’s literally been one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had.

Pixie xo

FANCY TRYING OUT NEWCASTLE IN THE SKY?

Select the sitting you fancy, click here to make your booking, you’ll have to be fast though as several dates are already sold out…

Breakfast sittings – start your day with a healthy four course breakfast from up high.

Lunch sittings – sit back, relax and enjoy a stunning three course lunch and two glasses of sommelier selected wines.

Afternoon sittings – enjoy a sumptuous treat with champagne high tea whilst relaxing in the summer sun, alternatively enjoy the American-style BBQ dishes from REDS for meat lovers.

Dinner sittings – enjoy sunset views with a spectacular four course dinner and two glasses of sommelier selected wine.

Night sittings – see the Newcastle nightscape from a different view whilst sipping on cocktails in the sky.

DATES

24th – 29th August 2017

VENUE

Performance Square, Sage Gateshead, NE8 2JR

DAILY SCHEDULE

Sitting	Price	Times
Breakfast in the Sky	£50.00 pp	08h30 – 09h00 & 09h30 – 10h00
Lunch in the Sky	£125.00 pp	12h30 – 13h15 & 14h00 – 14h45
Champagne High Tea	£65.00 pp	15h30 – 16h00 & 16h30 – 17h00
BBQ in the Sky	£65.00 pp	15h30 – 16h00 & 16h30 – 17h00
Dinner in the Sky	£150.00 pp	18h30 – 19h30 & 20h15 – 21h15
Cocktails in the Sky	£75.00 pp	21h45 – 22h15

Categories: The Archives, The Glorious North East, The Lifestyle Edit

The Experimental Diner at Newcastle Castle

The Experimental Diner is a dining concept with the best North East culinary talents at its heart. It’s a unique way to dine in unusual locations, with taster dishes cooked right in front of you by top notch chefs from around the region. You know those experience days you can buy? Well it’s a little like that, if that was region specific and food-centric. The only way to find out exactly what The Experimental Diner is all about is to go along to one of their hosted events, so that’s exactly what I did…

I was invited to dine al fresco on the roof of Newcastle Castle as part of The Experimental Diner’s Summer offering and I jumped at the chance as it’s not very often that an opportunity like this rolls around. The castle itself, or what’s left of it, is on the outer edge of Newcastle and we’re left with one perfectly maintained building that’s actually pretty easy to miss amongst the stunning architecture of our city and serves as a reminder to look up once in a while. Steeped in history, the Keep and Black Gate which make up Newcastle Castle are a rugged reminder of Northern England’s turbulent past. This was no baron’s stately home. The Castle was a grim symbol of royal authority, where armies gathered and criminals were imprisoned and executed. It’s where the story of Newcastle began; the reason it got its name, and the rooftop has some of the most commanding views across the city and the River Tyne.

On a sunny but very windy evening I set off for the castle (in sensible and amazing footwear, as instructed), and was greeted on arrival and taken down into the basement Gaol of the castle for a champagne reception. Guests had the chance to chat to historians who shared stories about the castle’s rich history (in costume no less) and informed us that this reception room was actually a former prison. I could think of worse places to be held captive.

Image by Chris Ord

Image by Chris Ord

Sadly due to the weather conditions which persisted all evening, al freso dining was deemed unsafe and we were moved to dine in the Great Hall rather than on the roof, still a remarkable setting and decorated beautifully with fresh flowers, lanterns and tealights. As we took our seats in the U shaped setting, we were introduced to The experimental Dining concept and our chefs for the evening.

The concept itself is simple, a pop up chef’s table that can be moved from venue to venue providing a kitchen environment and essentially turning any venue into a restaurant for the evening.

“We want to bring out The Experimental Diner in everyone by launching our very own pop-up chefs table, bringing this to brand new locations and venues for a truly outstanding culinary experience. With so many beautiful and unique places all over the North East, we want to combine this beauty with some stunning food and give people an extraordinary dining experience that they will never forget; from castles and landmarks, to inside city structures, we want to bring out the best of the North East for all to see!” The Experimental Diner

Image by Chris Ord

With Troy Terrington, Chef Patron of Dobson & Parnell commanding the chef’s table for the evening, we were in pretty solid and very steady hands. One of the great things about The Experimental Diner approach is that you get a chance to see the food being prepared, dished up and served, you get to observe the effort that goes into the presentation and uniformity of each dish and literally experience the heat of the kitchen. Troy talks us through not only the ingredients of each element of the four course set menu, but also the history of the ancient sourdough used to make the bread that’s provided for the tables, and the buttercream blend used to create the perfect tasting butter. Sure at £125 per person the tickets are expensive but when you see what goes in to putting one of these events together, it suddenly doesn’t seem quite so bad.

We dined on four courses, engineered to make up the perfect tasting menu. Not too big but not too small and we were plied with the best sourdough bread I’ve ever tasted for the duration of the evening. Because I’m a super VIP (or maybe it’s because of my nut allergy), I was treated to my own special nut free versions of the dishes above.

Image by Chris Ord

First up, North Country Beetroot. Now I gotta be honest here Voyeurs, I really hate beetroot and not just a little bit. I mean I find it gross and every time I’ve eaten it it’s tasted like freshly ploughed mud. Bleurgh. I knew in this situation I’d have to eat it and pretend to like it but actually found myself really enjoying it, it had a fresh earthy taste and paired with the goats curd it was actually pretty damn delicious. Surprised? Yeah, me too.

Next Charred Day Boat Mackerel which was caught fresh that very morning, served with heritage tomatoes. I don’t know what goes into Heritage Tomatoes but damn Troy, they be amazes. It’s worth mentioning here that despite being a four course menu, these are small enough portions that you’re left satisfied, but you’re not so full that you can no longer ‘taste’. also, I was on a cleanse programme when I accepted the invite to this event and it met my calorific intake perfectly.

Now for the jewel in the crown of this particular Experimental Diner event, Rare Breed Pork; if this is on the menu at Dobson & Parnell then go try it Voyeurs, it’s divine. Every single aspect of this dish is perfect, from the uber tender, melt in the mouth pork (something else I’m not usually a fan of) to the darling blue cheese and the potatoes. Everything combines to compliment each other perfectly, this one really is something special. The mashed potato is prepared with buttermilk and lemon which has to be tasted to be believed, if you have a favourite place for mash then prepare to have your mind changed.

Lastly, we were treated to a Dark Chocolate ganache, mine was served with, yup, you guessed it: more chocolate. Whilst it might look like the poop emoji, let me tell you, it was a joy to eat.

Image by Chris Ord

After dinner aperitifs were served which we were took up on to the roof for a little surprise entertainment in the form of a historical re-enactment sword fight! See Voyeurs, we made it up on to the rooftop eventually and in actual fact, it was the perfect time as the sun was just beginning to set and the light over our gorgeous city was just perfect. The Experimental Diner is an experience, it’s more than just food. It’s about being able to access unusual venues to create special experiences with friends and this one was definitely a night to remember.

Fancy checking out The Experimental Diner for yourself? Sign up to their website or like the FaceBook page to find out about exciting new venues and events, I’m dying to tell you what’s coming next but I’m sworn to secrecy, just trust me, it’s a doozie!

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Glorious North East, The Lifestyle Edit

Afternoon Tea with a Twist

Afternoon Tea has made huge gains in popularity in recent years. No longer the sport of Sloanes, Afternoon Tea has become something of a regular affair amongst Girl Squads and it’s no longer enough for hotels and restaurants to simply offer it as a menu option. These days competition is rife and there are some real doozie offerings out there, from themed Afternoon Teas to Tipsy Teas, it’s now about who can offer the best, and most Instagrammable spread. After all, did it even happen if you didn’t put it on your Instagram Story?

You’ll have read my post about the recent launch of alcoholic tea NovelTea so you’ll be familiar with the concept: Two blends of alcoholic tea, one made with rum, the other with gin, both of which can be served hot or over ice. It was only a matter of time before they tapped up the thriving Afternoon tea market in the North East and their chosen partnership is one that might leave you a little surprised. It’s not The Malmaison, or The Vermont, or any other stylish hotel that doubles as a trendy hangout, the guys behind NovelTea have teamed up with Lumley Castle to bring you a Tipsy Afternoon tea with a twist.

I was invited along to the launch event to find out what you can expect from the latest Afternoon Tea offering to hit the North East. First up, it’s so refreshing to be out of Newcastle for an event like this; the market is overcrowded with restaurants, cafes, hotels and tea houses offering Afternoon tea packages. Flooding the market in a small area means that quality doesn’t have to be as sharp and so it’s hard to find somewhere in town that does a really amazing Afternoon Tea offering. Secondly, Lumley Castle is a pretty amazing setting. Yes, it’s a real castle and with the strapline “No Ordinary Castle” I was keen to find out just what set it apart.

There’s free parking onsite which already puts it in the top half of my table, although it can be tricky to find a space if there’s an event on (I won’t even tell you about the tantrum I had in the carpark). the castle doubles as a hotel and golf course and once you’re inside it’s easy to see why it’s different to other similar venues up and down the country. Unmodernised, Lumley Castle celebrates the old. Staff wear full medieval regalia including headwear and the corridors and staircases are the original stone and iron work, complimented by swathes of burgundy velvet and gold. As you might imagine from a castle, the place is huge, there are secret corridors and halls that give off Hogwarts vibes but as I was running late due to the tantrum I’m not talking about, I headed straight to the suite reserved for Afternoon Tea.

We were treated to an assortment of finger sandwiches, freshly baked fruit scones (still warm) with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of mini cakes. All served with NovelTea’s signature blends, The Tale of Tangier, and The Tale of Earl Grey, as well as traditional tea and coffee.

“Afternoon tea has always been very popular here at the castle and as soon as we tried the NovelTea products we knew our customers would love them. As a unique and historic 600 year old venue, we pride ourselves on being no ordinary hotel. Customers love a tipple with their afternoon tea and NovelTea provides the ideal opportunity to enjoy a brand-new experience. With the option to serve the beverages both hot or cold, they are also a versatile product that can be enjoyed all year round. The only difficult decision is deciding which is your favourite!” Claire Mitchell, Sales Director, Lumley Castle

As far as the quality of the Afternoon Tea goes, it’s a pretty standard offering and has everything you would expect to see including those miniature cakes that everyone goes gaga for. Served on a three tier plate cage, with vintage flatware, it’s perfectly Instagrammable and the addition of NovelTea only serves to enhance this as it’s served from the bottle – which is included in the price. I’m no Afternoon Tea connoisseur but in my opinion it’s the NovelTea that you buy this package for. The freshly baked scones were amazing, I knocked back three slathered in jam and cream, everything else was fine – not amazing and not awful.

In terms of appeal, it’s sure to inspire envy on your Instagram Story, from the regal surroundings to the NovelTea factor (see what I did there?), this “No Ordinary Tea at No Ordinary Hotel” package is pure escapism and makes a nice change to some of the more run of the mill offerings that have become standard Sunday fare in Newcastle. Plus, who doesn’t want to go exploring in a castle right?!

Pixie xo

Images by Marion Botella

Afternoon NovelTea is priced at £23.95 per person, based on 2 people sharing and will be served with a small bottle of either the Tale of Earl Grey or Tale of Tangier.

To celebrate the launch of their new package, Lumley Castle will be offering the first 20 customers a special 20% discount off a NovelTea Afternoon Tea. To book, email events@lumleycastle.com or call 0191 389 1111

Lumley Castle Afternoon Tea Menu

Assorted Finger Sandwiches:

Ham & Dijon Mustard

Poached Salmon, Cream Cheese & Cucumber

Cheese Savoury with Vine Tomato

Roast Beef & Rocket with Red Onion Marmalade

Scones:

Fruit Scone served with Butter, Fruit Jam and local Clotted Cream

Cake Selection:

Nutmeg Egg Custard Tart

Chocolate Caramel Cupcake

Blueberry & Lemon Cake with Lemon Icing

Rhubarb, Raspberry & White Chocolate Fool

Strawberry Macaroon with White Chocolate Ganache