There's No Place Like Home

Living just a stone's throw away from the sea, I always consider myself to be extremely lucky. I'm at my most comfortable in a big wooly jumper and pair of wellies, joined by my dogs as we walk across the sand. Even when grey skies hang low overhead, heavy with rain that threatens to spill onto the roaring waves below, I love where I live.

North Shields Fish Quay is best known as the home of shipbuilding, fishermen and early morning markets where families and business owners come from far and wide to buy the freshest fish or grab a bargain on the catch of the day. Fast forward to 2013 and the fish quay is enjoying something of a transformation. Fish is still very much at the heart of these winding streets and narrow stairwells, but by mid-morning the initial chaos of fish markets and cars has ceased, coffee is brewing in the local cafes, business is being done in offices and the restaurants are getting ready for the lunchtime rush. Luckily for me and my tastebuds, the fish quay has also seen a number of new independent bars and restaurants pop up over the past five years or so, one of which has become one of my favourite restaurants in the region. 

Irvins Brasserie takes its name from its location - the old Irvin Building was built for fishing pioneer Richard Irvin over a century ago and is something of a local landmark. Standing umpteen storeys high, Irvins Brasserie is the labour of love of chef Graeme Cuthell which occupies the ground floor and boasts a 'peekaboo' view of the small beach and sea beyond. Inside its industrial feel fits perfectly into its surroundings, the Irvin Building was the stomping ground of fishermen and tradesmen, so it's only fitting that the walls are exposed brick, industrial-style low lighting and minimalist decor. Spotlights overheard add ambience, and tonight, for Irvins' Christmas party, strings of fairy lights hung above the windows, while gingerbread cookies hung from miniature trees around the room. 

As if she would allow anything else, my date for the evening was of course Mother Hall (only this time without her multi-coloured plaster cast - a souvenir from her trip to Glastonbury earlier this year). Mother and Daughter duo were greeted warmly and offered a seat at the newly refurbished bar area and a glass of prosecco/salmon blini while we waited for other guests to arrive. I also had to try very hard not to sneak a bite of this... 

The evening kicked off with the popping of corks of a fantastic Planeta Brut and an introduction to our wines for the evening by On Trade Sales Northern UK/Simon Chant before being spoilt with a first course of seafood chowder served in a teacup with homemade bread with plenty of butter (well, it is the season to indulge...) It was without doubt the kind of meal you want to warm yourself up with on a cold night, I couldn't fault it. 

Despite only meeting some of the people on our table less than an hour ago, we were already getting on like a house on fire, tucking into a big pot of shepherds pie and passing plates of it round the table like we were at a family get together. The atmosphere was so laidback and chilled, meaning we all got to meet some fantastic new friends.

Our main course was accompanied by two rich glasses of red which enhanced the succulent meat and fluffy potato with every bite. A hard act to follow, I have to say dessert of caramelised tarte tatin with vanilla creme anglaise came up trumps. 

Just look at that beauty...

Once again our little family tucked in and helped one another, everyone declaring it was just what the meal needed - a good old stick-to-the-ribs dessert. The two dessert wines which came with our dessert weren't to my tastes, but it was still great to get the chance to try them. 

Before we knew it, the clock had struck ten and there was just enough time to sip our two coffees to compare, say our goodbyes/merry christmases/happy new years and head out into the cold December night. Luckily for us, we only had a short walk home, but it helped work off some of those calories. 

As usual, Graeme and his team had a few surprises up their sleeves for their Christmas party and I can honestly say I'd be surprised if anyone was disappointed with their performance. A huge thank you to Graeme and everyone at Irvins, we both had a fantastic evening and although I'll be off to sunnier climes for Christmas/New Year soon, I'll definitely back in the New Year for some more to keep me going until the sun comes back! 

Anyone interested in seeing what all the fuss is about for themselves can check the seasonal menus out  here 

....or say hello on Twitter @IrvinsBrasserie 

Sit Back and Take SIX

We may have reached mid-December without experiencing any flurries of snow in Newcastle (and I can only hope if we do I will still be living it up in LA over Christmas), but bare branches on trees, icy breath, frosted windscreens and the arrival of Fenwick's Christmas window are all signs that winter has taken its grip over Newcastle. Thousands will fill the city's streets over the next few weeks to finish their Christmas shopping, making it almost impossible to find a nice place to sit back and relax.

Unless of course, I let you into a little secret... 

How better to escape the hustle and bustle of the high street and get into the Christmas spirit than climbing six storeys high to enjoy festive afternoon tea? 

Feeling a little like Charlie in the Chocolate Factory as we took the glass elevator high into the sky to a decadent feast that awaited us, Emily and I drank in the view. 

We enjoyed the Classic Afternoon Tea for two (£14.95), but you can add a glass of champagne for an extra touch of Christmas sparkle for £22.95 per person. Three beautifully presented tiers arrived on our table and we couldn't wait to tuck in, starting with a selection of finger sandwiches: salmon, egg and cress, cheese savoury and of course turkey with cranberry sauce.

Next up we were treated to a warm cranberry and plain scone each. The scones were a little overdone, but nothing that a healthy dollop of jam and cream couldn't solve.

As I drained the last of my cappuccino, I admit to feeling pretty full, but just looking at the mini morsels that still begged to be eaten I heroically managed to stuff my face a little more... 

There's certainly nothing 'twee' about SIX's afternoon tea, it's cool and contemporary whilst retaining the decadent element that makes afternoon tea so desirable. The flavours complemented each other perfectly, a warming ginger base on the passion fruit tart worked well with the stick-to-the-ribs treacle sponge, creamy Christmas pudding and buttery mince pies. 

If you can't treat yourself at Christmas, when can you?!

 For £14.95, SIX's festive afternoon tea definitely hits the spot - we even managed a wander around the Quayside market afterwards.... 

Afternoon tea is served from 2-5pm Monday to Saturday and 12-4 on Saturdays, buuuut since December is so busy, afternoon tea is only served on weekends so make sure you don't miss your chance! 

You can book online here, or give them a call on 0191 440 4948 if you need a little R&R before the big day

Prosecco and Pie explores York

One of my favourite things about working as a freelance writer is that I (kind of) get to pick and choose when I work. It had been a while since my nanna and I had been on 'one of our trips' (we've been all over, mostly to London to go to the theatre, or that time I spent six happy hours in the Tower of London and completely wore her out), so when she asked if I'd like to go to York sometime this week, I jiggled a few meetings and deadlines around and we hit the road.

York is about a two hour drive from where we live in Newcastle, but more like three if you have your nanna in the car. We got to York at lunch time and started our day with a coffee in one of York's many tea rooms and cute coffee shops.

Star-shaped chocolate sprinkles and a Christmas tree biscuit? It must be Christmas!

After a quick refuel, we joined the crowds at the annual St Nicholas Christmas Fayre - a pop-up market that meanders along York's bustling Parliament Street filled with the sights, smells and spirit of Christmas! 

What could be more evocative of Christmas than the smell of roasted chestnuts?

I loved these little guys

Hot chocolate with a shot of Baileys or brandy to keep the cold at bay?

The market was alive with sounds of excited Christmas shoppers, filled with the sight of cute Christmas decorations, gorgeous handmade gifts and the smell of hot roasted chestnuts. There was even a merry go round at the end playing music from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker!

I've only been to York a handful of times but whenever I visit I feel so at home. There's something about York's labyrinth of winding streets and ginnels that feel wonderfully homely, everyone is so friendly and the place has such a buzz about it. It's one of my favourite places to go shopping - everything is so close to each other and there's a perfect mixture of high street names, big brands and gorgeous quirky gift shops that you could spend hours wandering around.

Eagle-eyed Harry Potter fans might recognise this famous street - The Shambles was the inspiration for Diagon Alley

It wasn't long before our tummies started to rumble and we headed off in search of something to eat. I've always wanted to visit the famous Bettys which are a cluster of tearooms that date back to 1919. Encompassing everything quaint and quintessentially British, Bettys Tearooms are the brainchild of Swiss baker Frederick Belmont and serve proper afternoon tea in four picture-perfect locations across Yorkshire.

Nobody knows why Frederick Belmont named his craft bakery 'Bettys', but it's an old English name that serves mouthwatering English classics. A word of warning if you're planning to visit though - be prepared to queue. We waited patiently on the stairs for over 20 minutes to get a seat, but once you're in it's definitely worth it.

We shared three tiers of dainty desserts, homemade fruit scones smothered in clotted cream and berry compote and a selection of sandwiches - all washed down with a glass of pink champagne.

We decided to work off lunch with a little more wandering, so made our way around the majestic York Minster and discovered the most beautiful boutique that could possibly exist!

Brightly lit with beautiful chandeliers, the shelves of The Imaginarium  are filled with gorgeous silk scarves, glass bottles labelled 'festive spirit' and 'elixir of youth', silver candleholders which spun magically on their own, little knick knacks like miniature silver dolls house furniture and gilt rocking horses. Ornate armoires were filled with trinkets and six foot toy owls and rabbits sat on sofas and chairs as you explored the shop.

You weren't allowed to take any photos inside the shop, so these have been taken from The Imaginarium's website because I had to show you how gorgeous it was!

As dusk began to fall above York's cobbled streets we headed back to the car for home, but not before popping into a few more shops for a mince pie and mulled wine... 

I wore my 'Chloe' bag and Christmas pudding hat for the occasion

The Christmas lights and window displays looked so pretty, I definitely recommend popping down for the day and doing some Christmas shopping, whether you go by train or car, it's really not that far at all.