In Full Swing

Now and then I find myself thinking 'I wish there was something different to do on a Friday night', and if, like me, you've find yourself thinking the same then this post is for you...

 

To be totally honest, before Lane 7 was born if anyone mentioned going bowling I was less than enthusiastic. Rolling my eyes at the thought of spending my night jabbing at the machine when it inevitably froze just as I scored my fluke strike of the night, eating bad burgers and cold chips at sticky formica tables and choosing between a defrosted slushy or flat lemonade to wash it down with, bowling left little to be desired in the North East in my eyes. Thankfully Lane 7 has quite literally bowled us over (couldn't resist), with its effortlessly cool industrial interior, Lane 7 is a boutique bowling alley with a well-stocked bar, uber-cool bowling alleys, ping-pong, karaoke and MINI GOLF. 

Okay, okay, stay with me. 

When I was invited to preview Lane 7's limited-edition mini golf I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but keen to try something different I decided to go with an open mind. My partner in crime (who also goes by the name of Mam) and I were greeted with a free drink and a super cool custom built crazy golf course. 

If we were worried about being rubbish we needn't have. It doesn't matter whether your golfing prowess is limited to the highest score on wii sports or you're top of league at your local club, the course is so crazy that it's impossible to feel silly. We both felt like big kids as we picked our clubs, hit a few test shots and giggled our way around the course. The imagination and creativity is what makes it so fun, watching the person in front get a hole in one on a seemingly-impossible shot and clambering across the course.

 

Banish all memories of crazy golf at amusements or day trips to dodgy seaside towns; Lane 7's golf course is handmade, hectic and here for a limited time only. The music was loud, the drinks flowing and the level of golf played... erm, passable. Most importantly we had a good laugh; my favourite hole is definitely the loop the loop, and if anyone managed to complete the last hole I want video evidence, it is impossible!

 

Keep your eyes peeled for bigger and bolder things in Lane 7's Ball Room in the future, but for now get everyone together for a few drinks, bowling and mini golf from the 10th April - 11th June (click here to book your slot online or give them a ring on 0191 261 6161)

Sweet Treats at the Theatre Royal

In between sampling some of Newcastle's finest restaurants for Restaurant Week, I also managed to slip in an early birthday present at the Theatre Royal this week. The Scottish Ballet were bringing their topsy-turvy fairytale world of Hansel and Gretel to town and I couldn't wait!

I've enjoyed going to the ballet ever since I was little, and that's all thanks to my Nanna, who insisted my older sister and I had to experience it at least once. I remember my first glimpse of a prima ballerina in The Nutcracker - utterly enthralled by the way she moved her body and tip-toed across the stage underneath a sky of gently falling snowflakes. My eyes darted from left to right following her sparkly tutu as it caught the light and I tapped my feet excitedly to the music from the orchestra; it was like I was under a spell. Although I didn't understand much about the story or the complex moves, the costumes, the set and the music kept me entertained.

So from that year on it became a tradition that Nanna and I would go see the ballet every Christmas and I saw them all as I got older - Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, A Midsummer's Night's Dream... dressed in my best ballerina-style outfit and usually sat on my nanna's knee because I was too small to see over the person in front. So this year when she saw that Hansel and Gretel was coming to the Theatre Royal a few weeks before my birthday, Nanna surprised me with tickets.

Although I'll be 23 this birthday, old habits die hard and I still can't resist wearing my own ballerina-inspired outfit to the ballet. Since I'm definitely too old to pull off a Barbie pink tutu (oh the good old days), I payed homage to those perfect sparkly costumes with a little sparkly skirt of my own.

Settling down into our seats with some sweets and a programe, we waited for the magic to begin...

ACT 1

The story started with a gaggle of school children following their enchanting new teacher around during lessons, to which she rewarded them with an endless supply of lollipops. Suddenly, the children began to disappear one by one until there was only Hansel and Gretel left. Brother and sister decide to sneak away from their parents during the night and go in search of their missing friends.

Before long they run into an ominous looking gang called The Ravens who seem to be accompanying their old school teacher. Rewarded with a lollipop, Hansel and Gretel continue on their way into the deep, dark forest... The Ravens follow Hansel and Gretel into the woods where a beautiful woman (who looks suspiciously like their old schoolteacher) makes her dramatic entrance from the sky and bewitches them into a deep sleep.

 Whilst Hansel and Gretel are under their sleepy spell, a series of vivid dreams occur on stage in which Hansel and Gretel are reunited with their parents and attend a magical feast.

Tables, chairs, chandeliers and food floods the stage while the bewitching lady/schoolteacher dances amongst cakes, pies and OTHER sweet treats on a table laid before Hansel and Gretel. This was definitely my favourite scene, it was so reminiscent of Disney's Beauty and the Beast when the food and furniture come to life before Belle's eyes.

ACT 2

After a short interval we returned to our seats. The set looked incredible as the curtain swept back to reveal an enchanted forest of gumdrops, lollipops and sweets.

Suddenly I felt eight years old again, completely taken aback by this magical world in front of me - the dancers' incredible costumes caught my eye reminding me of dainty pink french fancies, while the music pulled me deeper into this fairytale world, rising to a crescendo as Hansel and Gretel discovered the wicked witch and her gingerbread house.

After finding himself locked in a tiny cage, Hansel must rely on Gretel to steal the key from the evil sleeping witch before plunging her in the hot oven. As Hansel and Gretel jumped for joy the audience couldn't help but laugh at the witch who kept banging dramatically on the oven door.

The performance was certainly a topsy-turvy affair, I thought it had a very Tim Burton vibe about it which I loved. Anyone who has ever seen The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will understand the strange beauty that Tim Burton brings to his stories. I liked the way Hansel and Gretel's heroic and innocent nature was juxtaposed by the grotesque witch and their chain smoking mother and drunk father who come on at the beginning.

There was definitely a Tim Burton/Alice in Wonderland vibe to the set too - from the oversized sweets that hung from the rafters, the gnarled, almost skeletal outline of trees that were constantly in the background and even the almost grotesque scene of sweets and cakes piled high as the evil witch danced among them taunting Hansel and Gretel. We both had a brilliant time, and I found myself wanting to become a ballerina all over again. Although I have the grace of an elephant I've missed my calling to become a prima ballerina, I have signed up to a ballet class for beginners! If you can't pretend to be a ballerina and dance around your house then when can you eh?

Did anybody else see the show? I'd love to know what you thought of it! 

Please Note: I do not own the copyright to any of the images of the actual performance, these have been taken from the Scottish Ballet website for the purposes of illustrating this blog post and copyright belongs to The Scottish Ballet/Andy Ross/Christina Riley. 

Welcome To Sausageville

As the first round of Restaurant Week 2014 dawned, it was clear that this year brought plenty of choices of where to spend your hard-earned cash. Having spent most of my mine in LA however, this meant I had to be extra scrupulous and choose wisely (damn it).

Although there are plenty of 'established' restaurants we'd like to try, the girls and I agreed that we wanted to try somewhere new, help boost a new, local business y'know, so it was decided that we would try wonderfully-named Sausage Emporium.

How better to banish those January blues than with your best friends, a bottle of wine and a plate of sausage and mash?

Despite it's simple sausage-only concept, I was pleased to see that the menu is so much more than 'sausage and mash'. With starters such as pulled pork with avocado and lime salsa, twice baked cheese souffle and oxtail wraps, there was plenty to keep us interested.

My pulled pork starter was more than generous in size and I thought the chipotle chilli ketchup on the side added some extra zing. Having helped myself to a bit of everyone else's starter too, I can confirm the twice baked cheese souffle was a light and fluffy cheesy delight, as was the 'gamey' tasting oxtail wrap.

Let there be wine!

The Sausage Emporium lives under Arch 6 of Westgate Road just a short walk from Central Station, so it's super easy to get to. The decor inside was cool and casual - we felt like we were sitting in a trendy tube station where we were sitting which was fun. The restaurant has two floors, an open kitchen and cosy booths downstairs, while upstairs houses a kitsch-inspired collection of mismatched, multi-coloured tables and chairs.

Happily, even the most discerning sausage-lover had plenty to choose from for their mains. We all tried to order something different: the sizzling thai sausage stuffed with lime, coriander and coconut, a traditional pork in cider sausage with creamy mash option and a veggie sausage of beetroot, lentil and mushroom served with crushed garlic new potatoes, spring onion and cabbage.

Ashamedly I didn't take any photos of our mains because I was completely distracted by this little cutie...

Hannah is the restaurant's five year old mascot and she just wanders round looking adorable while you eat, occasionally popping back downstairs to her basket to snooze. Naturally I was in love. 

Our main meals were really good, the sausages were fat and juicy, the mash creamy and delicious. My only niggle was the gravy. Although served in a cute little teapot topped with a crochet tea cosy, I would have liked it to have been thicker and meatier. 

If you're unfamiliar with the Restaurant Week rules then basically you can choose from two courses for £10, or three for £15. The better critics among us (ahem, Michelle and I) were the only ones who went for three courses, everyone else was too full to manage more. I was really looking forward to a decadent chocolate melt in the middle souffle, but sadly the other diners had beaten me to it, so I opted for the palate-cleansing lemon posset instead, while Michelle ordered a gargantuan slice of blueberry cheesecake.

It was half 10 by the time we said goodbye to Hannah the sausage dog, drained the last of our wine and headed out into the blustery January wind. We thoroughly enjoyed our night of sausage innuendos, good food and lots of laughs - thank you Sausage Emporium for your lovely food, laidback atmosphere and for letting me befriend your little dog. We'll be back!

**In case you didn't know, Restaurant Week has been extended for another week! So get yourselves down to the Sausage Emporium and tell me what you think at @chloeditorial

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

Fancy a Few Laughs?

Fans of comedy in the region are no doubt already well acquainted with Newcastle's comedy scene, but last night was my first visit to The Stand and those of you who follow me on Twitter will already know that we were treated to a surprise visit from fellow geordie Sarah Millican.

Being the thriving comedy hub it is, The Stand host stand up sessions throughout the week, but Wednesday nights are only £2 so for that price (and of course the chance to see Sarah Millican about three feet away) we snapped seats up.

What we didn't quite expect was the Biblical-esque storm we'd have to compete with just to get there...

All dressed up and wondering if I really did want to risk leaving the house...

With the roads near flooded, the dog cowering under the kitchen table scared of the thunder and the rain lashing down, it seemed the weather was having a joke on us (weeey, see what I did there?) 

Even my guinea pigs were suitably snuggled up for the night

Eventually I decided to brave it, so brolly in hand off I headed to High Bridge Street in search of a few laughs. The club is quite small compared to some venues, but I liked its intimacy. Upstairs is a light and bright restaurant and downstairs is the (teeny weeny) stage and another well-stocked bar.

I wanted to grab the seats right at the front in the hope of being picked on but this lot weren't having any of it.

Our compere for the evening was a Michael McIntyre-inspired comic named Tom Tuck who did a brilliant job introducing us to our acts for the evening. I'm afraid I didn't get everyone's names, but I can definitely report that the region has some funny homegrown talent.

Sneaky Sarah Millican photo stolen from this lovely lady

At around half ten our star guest arrived ready to share with us some new material which was really good. I loved the stories about her parents going on their first cruise and a few good hotel anecdotes (I won't spoil the surprise!)

Thank you to The Stand for my first local comedy experience, I've been telling everyone I know about how good (and cheap) you are - see you again soon no doubt!

Pleased To Meat You

Want to know where to find the region's best burger? Of course you do. 

Read on dear friends, and I shall reveal all.

Just look at that meaty, cheesy goodness...

Everybody loves a good burger, no one more so than me, but I'm often put off ordering them from unfamiliar menus for fear of being confronted by tasteless meat encased in hard melted cheese and a lacklustre bun, then being charged over a tenner for the privilege. 

Rumours of good food at The Fat Hippo in Jesmond have long been whispered in my ear, but living near the coast has long kept my food cravings satisfied so I'd never had a reason to visit. Well it just so happens that my friend Emily lives very close to The Fat Hippo and insisted I try it - Emily all I can say is thank you!

The Fat Hippo's menu is short and sweet, but that's not a bad thing. Menus are brought on a wooden clipboard, so we got down to business and decided what we want. We visited on a Sunday so the Happy Hour wasn't on, but it's definitely worth mentioning if you have the midweek munchies. Get one course for £7, two courses for £9 or three for £10 from 5-7pm Tuesdays-Fridays. Not bad at all! 

With jalapeno poppers, fat hot dogs and a chunky peanut butter, bacon jam and cheese burger to choose from, I was suitably impressed by the quirkiness of the menu (I should have known then that my burger was going to be good). 

Before Emily killed me for being so indecisive, I finally opted for the Texax BBQ - a meat feast topped with bacon, cheese, onion rings and barbecue sauce, accompanied by homemade chips. Emily went veggie with the Big Fat Bean Burger (halloumi, red peppers, tomato and garlic mayo) and chips. Oh and add two bottles coke in a proper glass bottle to that order please waiter. 

The 'Before' picture (you wouldn't want to see the ravaged mess that was the 'after')

The restaurant was really busy, but our food arrived within minutes of ordering which was brilliant. Taking a big bite of my burger I was pleasantly surprised to find the meat was tender and juicy with a slight pepper kick. Not a single piece was over or undercooked, the bun was lovely and soft, the onion rings were light and crispy just the way they should be, the chips were thick and lightly salted...everything was just how I like it. 

In between demolishing my own burger you'll be pleased to know I managed to ask Emily how hers was. Despite being a meat eater, she fancied something different and thought the Big Fat Bean Burger was a worthy alternative. Everything came to just over £20 between us which I think is excellent value for money, the staff were lovely and the atmosphere was bustling. I'll definitely be back - this time I don't need an excuse to be in Jesmond! 

You can browse the menu and opening hours online.  

Do you agree with my verdict? If not I'd love to hear your recommendations 

Double, Double Toil and Trouble; Fire Burn and Caldron Bubble!

I've never really understood why people make such a fuss about Halloween. Not only am I the biggest wimp ever, my family didn't celebrate Halloween when I was little, so naturally at the age of 22 I feel like I need to make up for lost time! 

I invited a few of the girls round for a pumpkin carving session and bought the biggest pumpkin I could find (£2.50 from the cash and carry - I highly recommend it). It was literally so big I had to use a hacksaw to cut into it.... 

The girls settled on the traditional scary face, but I had a better idea...

Look familiar? 

After toasting our pumpkin seeds and making the obligatory pumpkin soup (which by the way was a complete success despite my severe lack of cooking skills), it was time to get dressed up!

Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and around the world in other cultures on All Hallows Eve. The idea is to gather family and friends to pray for, and remember those who have died. The day is even a bank holiday in Mexico. The dead are honoured with ornately decorated sugar skulls, food, drink and flowers. To me, it seems like such a beautiful event (and because I am such a big wimp and the thought of plastering fake wounds all over my face scares me) so I decided to dress up as a sugar skull for Halloween this year, while Emily went as the beautiful Marie Antoinette. 

I didn't fancy any of the bars in town, this year I wanted to try somewhere new and exciting. After getting our costumes on we headed to the BALTIC's Panic Room Party, which I have to say was the best Halloween party I have ever been to! The party was held in the Terrace, which boasts floor to ceiling glass walls and a heated outdoor area that overlooked the river Tyne. It was such a nice change from a stuffy, smelly bar in town and there were some fantastic costumes!

Look at that view!

Emily and I challenged ourselves to get a photo with as many people as we could - 

did we spot you? 

Thank you for another great night BALTIC Mill!