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Fashion Voyeur

People will stare, make it worth their while.

Categories: Lifestyle, North East, Pixie, Uncategorized

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.

Newcastle in the Sky Dining Table
Newcastle in the Sky Full View
Newcastle in the Sky Table

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.

Me & Ashleigh Money Saver

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
Image by Chris Ord
Image by Chris Ord
Image by Chris Ord
Image by Chris Ord
Image by Chris Ord
Image by Chris Ord
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
Image by Chris Ord
Image by Chris Ord
Image by Chris Ord
Image by Chris Ord
Image by Chris Ord
Image by Chris Ord
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: Uncategorized

Sunday Brunch Chez Mal

Many of you already know I’m a basketball WAG so I don’t get to hang out much with Sparky on a weekend as he’s usually travelling the country for games, however last weekend marked the end of the basketball season and a rare break in the training schedule, meaning that this weekend we’d have all day Sunday to ourselves & we thought we’d spend it doing something we love; eating.

I’ve been hanging out and taking my meetings at the newly refurbished Malmaison Hotel in Newcastle for a few weeks now and was recommended their Sunday Brunch, it’s a Mal signature and I’d been told that it has to be seen to be believed.  So off we set, with high hopes and empty tummies.

*For those of you interested in the fashion, I wore silk joggers by The Row, a striped breton tee by Mon Belle Rebelle, Kurt Geiger shoe boots and my trusty Chanel 2.55 thrown over my shoulder, hair trussed up in a halo braid to prevent me from getting chocolate stuck in it (see, always thinking ahead.)

IMG_1815

We arrived at the Malmaison hotel to a warm welcome in the bar area, service was still turning over the breakfast sitting in the brasserie and there was a wedding event setting up so things were a little atypical but not in a bad way.  The bar has a friendly informal feel to it, bartenders were practicing “Malchemy” when we arrived and immediately called us over to sample an Old Fashioned (smokey and bitter if you’re interested, just like it should be).  We hung out in the bar area sampling various shots, wines and cheeses before being taken to our table in the brasserie for the main event.

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The first thing i should tell you is that the Sunday Brunch menu is huge!  It includes classic brunch dishes such as Eggs Benedict and Corned Beef Hash, alongside traditional Sunday lunch dishes such as prime rib of Black Angus beef with thyme Yorkshire pudding and vegetables.  Brunch starts with guests visiting the Chef’s table to select from unlimited hors d’oeuvres, yes that’s right folks, unlimited, you can make your way up there and help yourself to as much as you like, as often as you like, and that’s all before you’ve even had your main meal.  They had Sparky on the hook immediately, he was up at the chef’s table before I had my jacket off piling his plate with smoked salmon, shrimp, minted rice, Serrano ham cut from the bone, salad, seasoned tomatoes and much, much more.  The Chef’s table is truly a sight to behold, tucked away in a private dining room it’s like an Aladdin’s cave for the senses.

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Staff serving were friendly and happy to give recommendations, and yes, we did end up visiting the table twice.  Well, it would be rude not to, right?!

After a brief respite, our trusty waiter, Don, brought us our main course dishes, Prime rib of beef for me and a Mal Burger for Sparky.  Now for a little back story, Sparky is a burger lover. But only if it’s good.  Remember that episode of How I Met Your Mother where the gang try to track down a burger joint where Marshall claimed to have once eaten the perfect burger? Well Sparky IS Marshall.

The food arrived quickly, you place your order before you visit the Chef’s table so it’s ready when you are (genius) and man it looked good, the beef arrived pink, with a Yorkshire pudding the size of a door stop and a large side of seasoned vegetables, the burger came with its own copper pot of relish and side of “skin on” fries.  So far so good…

IMG_0522 IMG_0527 IMG_0525

The food Chez Mal is good.  No it’s better than that, it’s great.  The beef was fantastic and the vegetables were smooth and creamy, Sparky said afterwards that the burger was definitely top five but it’s more than just the food.  The Sunday Brunch is an experience, the staff are friendly and attentive, not overbearing and not unapproachable, the other diners, a mix of hotel residents and walk-ins are vibrant and happy.  Everyone marvels at the chef’s table on their first visit, chatting animatedly about how amazing it all looks before diving in to taste what’s on offer, people examine what near diners have ordered and base their order on the presentation, it’s a very social experience and that’s before we’ve even talked about the amazing view of the Newcastle Quayside looking out over Gateshead.

IMG_0500 IMG_1822

Ok, let’s get on to the important part and the reason for this intricate up do; the dessert.  Now i happen to have history with the dessert menu Chez Mal, lets just say we’re familiar.  I went for (my personal favourite) a Mal Hot Chocolate, it’s a dessert served in a coffee cup, built up of ice cream, fresh cream and home-made marshmallows and served with a just of hot chocolate sauce, yes, it’s every bit as awesome as it sounds.  Sparky chose a traditional sticky toffee pudding with hot toffee sauce and whole pecans, he courteously and smugly reminded me of my nut allergy just incase i was under the impression he might share his dessert with me.  Hmph.

IMG_1817 IMG_0538 IMG_0531 IMG_0534

The verdict?  Chez Mal boasts that it hosts “The Biggest Sunday Lunch in Town” and who am I to argue with that, the selection is huge but it’s also really, really good food.  The Chef’s table is packed with hors d’oeuvres but none of them are heavy so unlike other “all you can eat” style lunches, you can select “light bites” without worrying that you’ll need to call for help to roll you home.  It’s a well thought out social dining experience, and if you get a table in one of the huge arched window you can watch the world go by, the view is just gorgeous (I’m from Newcastle, what did you expect?!).  Since the refurbishment the brasserie still has that very polished finish but it’s less dark, it’s open and the natural light from those huge windows seems to enhance everything.

There’s a great choice throughout the menu, it’s not just limited to Sunday lunch, there’s something here to suit every palate and the dessert menu is to die for, there are Chef’s Specials too so depending on when you go, you might just find yourself able to sample something new.  It’s a place for lovers of good food and good chat, the staff have time to stop and talk and share anecdotes and although busy, diners aren’t rushed.  Sparky’s closing remark was that he hasn’t eaten that well since Christmas (make of that what you will).

So, as far as Sunday brunch goes, I’d say Chez Mal are on to a winner but don’t tell anyone, it’ll be our little secret…..

Pixie x

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The Chez Mal Sunday Brunch skinny:

Chez Mal is situated on the first floor of the Malmaison Hotel in Newcastle, tables can be booked online at https://www.malmaison.com/locations/newcastle/brasserie/ or over the phone 0844 6930658

Address: 104 Quayside, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3DX

The full Chez Mal Sunday Brunch menu (including THAT amazing Mal Hot Chocolate) can be found here: 2015-january-sunday-lunch-menu-web

Sunday brunch is £19.95 per person and £7.95 for children.

Pixie Tenenbaum 2024

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People will stare, make it worth their while

Pixie Tenenbaum

FASHION VOYEUR

Freelance Fashion and Beauty Writer
Currently taking review slots
Hire Me: pixie.tenenbaum@gmail.com

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