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

A Meander Around the Marina

After spending most of the week stuck in bed feeling sorry for myself with a sickness bug, I was in need of some fresh air and sea views when my stomach finally settled this weekend.

In typical North East style, the weather was cold, grey and drizzly. Luckily, I know the perfect place to go whatever the weather. Pulling on my warmest coat and wellies, I rallied the troops for a good old blow-the-cobwebs-away walk to the marina - although Daisy didn't look too happy about venturing out from under her blanket.

The Royal Quays Marina is about a ten-fifteen minute walk from where I live, but it's one of those amazing places that makes you feel like you've suddenly entered a completely different town. I swear on a sunny day it's almost St Tropez!

My little brother (although I guess at over six foot tall he can't really be classed as little any more...) is my trusty dog walking companion and we've made it our business to explore as many places as we can near where we live.

The marina is definitely one of our favourite places to walk the dogs, it's so peaceful wandering along the waters edge choosing which boat we'd have and imagining where we'd sail to. It's also one of those places where you might not see someone for an hour, but when you do, they're always friendly and say hello as they pass by.

After our usual meander around the marina, we crossed the road and ventured into Chirton Dene. If you've ever been to Jesmond Dene, I think the best way to describe Chirton Dene is as its smaller cousin and a smaller lake. In spring there are clusters of bright yellow daffodils everwhere and I might sneak a few to bring home and put in a vase for mam; come autumn and the whole dene is carpeted in rusty orange and red leaves and I spend my visit peeking amongst leaves looking for hedgehogs who might have crafted themselves a nest for a snooze. Today though, the grass shone a vibrant green in the winter sun and the resident ducks quacked as they made their way across the lake that still sparkled from the early January frost. 

It wasn't long before Daisy cheered her grumpy face up too: 

Daisy found some ducks she'd quite like to make friends with...

It might not be the incredible beaches and mountains I've been exploring in LA lately (and it certainly wasn't the kind of weather I've become accustomed to), but I guess the marina is my little hidden gem at home and if you're ever in need of somewhere new to explore, you should come too.

If you're looking for inspiration on places to explore near the coast then I'd be more than happy to help - or if you know somewhere for Jed and me to check out then that'd be good too!

My American Dream

There's nothing like a holiday somewhere sunny and gorgeous to blow the cobwebs away is there!?

You might have seen from my twitter that I was lucky enough to spend the festive season in Los Angeles. Not only was I going to be in LA for New Year's Eve (and escaping the wintry North East weather), we were also there to celebrate an amazing achievement in our friends' lives... 

Jamie, or Sermstyle as he's better known in the music industry, has recently been snapped up by Atlantic/Warner records as a music producer, and while we were in LA his first big single Timber featuring Pitbull and Ke$ha became the first number 1 of 2014 in America and the UK!! We had an amazing time over there so I thought I'd share a few pictures with you!

We stayed in a beautiful house in the Hollywood Hills which was just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of LA. After managing to stay awake for over 24 hours, we soon set out to explore Hollywood and infamous Walk of Fame. 

After rubbing shoulders with the stars we headed to the beautiful Venice Beach and wandered along the Boardwalk towards Santa Monica taking in the sights.

After all that exercise it was definitely time for a quick pit stop before getting dolled up for the end of the year!!

A little birdie told us we HAD to try In-N-Out burgers, and well, need I say more...

After a few glasses of champagne on our twinkly roof terrace we headed to the Hollywood Improv, a local comedy club where the other half was super excited to see his hero Joe Rogan perform. I have to admit I had a really good time, although the jet lag was definitely starting to kick in and I flopped straight into bed when we got home (some party animal I am eh?) 

The next day we made the most of the gorgeous weather and drove to Malibu where we decided to spy on celebrity's houses, lounge on the beach, make the most of the sun and sleep off our hangovers - best New Year's Day ever!

 And I got to see pelicans!!

I could get used to spending January in the sea...

Not a day went by without us hitting the road and discovering something new. Some of my favourite highlights were definitely Huntington Beach where I saw dolphins (!), the super cool Venice Beach, Griffith Park Observatory, Universal Studios and of course Rodeo Drive/Beverly Hills where I might have dipped into my overdraft bought myself a little present and found my spiritual home!

Watching the sun go down at Huntington Beach

Our trip to LA was amazing and I can't believe Jamie and Ashleigh still get to be there! I don't know what 2014 holds, but what a way to kick it off!

Happy New Year!

Pssst, in case you haven't heard the UK's biggest song right now, check it out and support some local talent!

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