Victors Afternoon Tea Newcastle

 

Looking for an afternoon tea in Newcastle with the wow factor? Then I know just the place. Victors located on the Quayside in Newcastle serves an afternoon tea that certainly has the wow factor as it comes complete with sparklers! 

Victors is a beautiful restaurant and bar with a wisteria ceiling, heated terrace and modern dining area. It serves meals, afternoon teas and cocktails perfect for a catch up with friends or a date night in Newcastle. 

We visited on a weekday lunch time and the restaurant had groups or friends, families and couples dining. It was a lovely relaxed atmosphere with attentive staff. We had prebooked the afternoon tea in advance online and you have the choice of a classic or vegetarian option. It is currently priced at £32.50 per person (it was slightly cheaper when we visited).

Sunday Lunch At The Tall Ships Hartlepool

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On Sunday we headed down to The Tall Ships in Hartlepool to try out the Sunday lunch menu. The Tall Ships is a Ember Inns pub and was about a 40 minute drive down the A19 from Newcastle. Being a chain type pub I was pleasantly surprised just how good our lunch was, read on to find out more. 

The Tall Ships 

We had a booking for 2pm on a Sunday, free onsite parking was available (you do need to register your car reg on a machine when you enter). The Tall Ships was busy when we arrived with people waiting to be served at the bar and plenty of people enjoying drinks and lunch. We were welcomed by the bar staff quickly and drink orders were taking before being shown to a table. 

Mark Toney Ice cream Parlour Cafe Newcastle

 

Looking for ice cream or a dessert spot in Newcastle city centre? then you have to visit Mark Toney on Percy Street, opposite Haymarket bus station. I visited with my children and we couldn't believe how affordable it was. Serving everything from breakfasts to burgers, jacket potato's to roast diners and a delicious dessert menu. 

This legendary Newcastle family run cafe has been here for years and years and serves hot meals and a range of sandwiches and light bites to their famous award-winning ice creams and desserts. 

Turknaz Whitley Bay

 

Somewhere I have been meaning to visit for such a long time is Turknaz in Whitley Bay, so many of our family and friends had recommended this award-winning restaurant to us over the years and we finally got round to visiting recently. 

 Located on North Parade right by the seafront in Whitley Bay you will find Turknaz restaurant. It is just a short walk from Whitley Bay town centre and there is a couple of car parks located just a few minutes walk away. We visited on a Saturday evening and had prebooked a table online the day before and I am glad we did as it was busy when we visited. 

A Festive Meal At Trenchers Spanish City Whitley Bay

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Are you looking for a nice festive meal out with family, friends or work colleagues that is not a traditional Christmas lunch? If so I have found the perfect place for you, Trenchers at Spanish City in Whitley Bay. They have a festive menu priced at £23.00 for two courses or £28.00 for three courses. I was kindly invited along to try it out with my dad last week, read on to find out what we thought.

I love Trenchers at Spanish City, I have visited previously with the children for fish and chips which you can read about here. Spanish City is a beautiful venue right by the sea, it looked even more beautiful decorated for Christmas with an impressive tree (it was huge) taking centre stage. 

Kafeneon Greek Restaurant Newcastle

 

One of my favourite places to eat in Newcastle is Kafeneon Greek, located in the Bigg Market area of Newcastle. As it is so centrally located it is ideal for a lunch date while shopping or as a evening meal before a show or for date night. I have visited a few times over the years and each time I have really enjoyed my visit to Kafeneon. 

I recently visited with my adult daughter before we went to see a show at the Tyne Theatre, it was her first time visiting and she really enjoyed it too. As we were visiting before a theatre show we arrived at around 5pm and managed to get a seat straight away. There was plenty of people sitting outdoors enjoying the last of the sun on the terrace but we decided to dine indoors. 

Lal Qila Indian Restaurant Cramlington

 

As a family we love Indian food and for many years we went to our local Indian restaurant for Christmas dinner. There are tons of Indian restaurants here in the North East but one of our all time favourites - that I have been going to since I was a child in the 90s is the Lal Qila in Cramlington, Northumberland. Situated right outside of Manor Walks shopping centre in the town centre you will find the Lal Qila. 

The Lal Qila is popular with locals and I would recommend booking a table if your planning on visiting, especially if your visiting when they have the cheaper Thursday night special deal on as it gets busy. We visited on a Tuesday evening on our most recent visit a couple of weeks ago but still pre booked a table just to be safe. 

Fish And Chips At Spanish City Whitley Bay

 

Visiting Whitley Bay and looking for somewhere for fish and chips? Then read on to find out all about fish and chips at Trenchers restaurant in Spanish City right on the seafront. 

Spanish City 

The iconic Spanish City dome reopened a few years ago after restoration from its funfair heyday. The huge dome shaped building is located right on the seafront in Whitley bay and it is hard to miss it. It is a wedding venue, restaurant, tea room and also has a few shops and bars at the front too, as well as the very popular Trenchers fish and chip restaurant. Trenchers offer a eat in or take away service, perfect for if you want to enjoy your chips on the beach just a stones throw away. 

Spanish City is imposing and rather grand looking and it feels a bit special visiting as it has lovely high-ceilings and is tastefully decorated. There is a small car park right behind the venue or there is a much bigger car park just a few minutes walk away on the seafront which we always use. 

Geisha Asia Newcastle Review

 

Geisha Newcastle must be one of the most instagrammable restaurant here in Newcastle. It has beautiful decor, cute photo opportunities, delicious food and cracking cocktails. Earlier in the year it moved premises and is now located in Benton (not far from four lane ends metro). When it moved venues it also changed slightly and it now also offers Italian food downstairs in Geisha Italia and upstairs is Geisha Asia. 

A few weeks ago myself and my husband visited Geisha Asia one weekday lunchtime and took advantage of the lunchtime offers which are great value! If dining in Geisha Asia Monday to Friday between 12 - 5pm you can order two dishes from the daytime special menu for just £12. They also have a offer on cocktails all day Sunday to Thursday and on Fridays until 5pm where you can get two selected cocktails for £12 - I highly recommend the strawberry daiquiri. 

Yo Sushi With Kids

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This summer kids eat for free at Yo Sushi so we went along to see what dining at Yo Sushi with kids was like. We visited the Metrocentre branch but here in the north east we also have a branch in Newcastle city centre on Grainger Street too which I visited all the way back in 2017. 

I am sure you are all familiar with the Yo Sushi concept that food goes around on the conveyor belt and you can pick dishes from the belt to enjoy. Each plate is colour coded and different plates are different prices - prices range from £2.95 - £8.50 per plate depending on what you select. You can pick as many plates as you like and at the end they add all the plates up and you pay for what you have had. 

Zaap Thai Street Food Newcastle Review

 

Recently myself and my husband visited Zaap Thai Street Food in Newcastle for lunch and it was lush! It was the first time we had visited but it certainly won't be the last as the food was delicious, service was great and the decor was fun. Read on to see what we ate, prices and what we thought of the whole experience. 

Zaap Newcastle is located just outside of the Gate complex in the city centre next to Mr Mulligans space golf and Turtle Bay restaurant. I have walked past it hundreds of times and always said I would visit but never got around to it, so when myself and my husband found ourselves in Newcastle one rare week day lunch time we decided it was time to try Zaap out once and for all. 

Lunch At Umai Mi Newcastle With Kids

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Looking for somewhere to head for lunch in Newcastle with the kids? Then  I would recommend Umai Mi in Eldon Square, Newcastle. I visited last week with the kids (aged 8 and 9) and they loved it! 

Umai Mi is located within Greys Quarter in the bustling Eldon Square shopping centre in the heart of the city. It is the perfect location for lunch as a family when shopping in Newcastle city centre. Umai Mi is a oriental kitchen serving up yummy dishes such as sushi, dim sum, poke bowls and noodle dishes to name just a few. They have a range of menus such as a main menu, lunchtime menu, kids menu and they also cater for vegans, veggies and have gluten free options available too. 

We visited on a weekday lunchtime during half-term so I dined off the lunch time menu which is £15 for two courses. Children's meals are a total bargain at £5.99 for a main and dessert. Children are provided with menus they can colour and complete activities on, which kept mine entertained whilst they waited for their meals to arrive. 

The Hustle Newcastle Review

Update - The Hustle has now shut down. 

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Heading into Newcastle this summer with the kids? If so then I know a great place to head for lunch and the food is rather delicious. The Hustle, it is definitely the place to be this summer. Located just outside of the Gate complex (where Tiger Tiger used to be) is The Hustle, somewhere that I would never have thought to take the kids too as it is well knowing as a cocktail bar serving bottomless brunches and tasty bar snacks. However during the day it is perfect for a family lunch in Newcastle city centre. 

We visited at 12.30pm on a weekday for lunch with the kids, the bar was quiet with a few people sitting outdoors enjoying drinks or a meal and a few other people indoors. The interior was fun, stylish and very clean. Service was spot on, we were seated in a booth, handed menus and the server was really friendly and explained the menus to us and the children were giving colouring sheets and crayons. 

Lunch At Miller And Carter Gosforth

 We visited Miller and Carter Gosforth Park for the first time recently and I am already planning on revisiting as it was lush! I had wanted to visit for ages but wrongly thought that it was super expensive with it being a steak restaurant, yes there are some expensive things on the menu but there are also a lot of reasonable priced items too. They also do a good value lunchtime menu which was £15.95 for three courses, personally I think that is very good value. 

As it was our third wedding anniversary we decided to visit Miller and Carter to celebrate and the lunchtime menu was perfect, as like a lot of people we are watching the pennies at the moment but still wanted to visit somewhere nice. It also worked well as it meant we could visit when the children were at school and it is very local to where we live. 

Destination 1850 At Newcastle Central Train Station - Review

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Destination 1850 has recently opened in Newcastle's Central Station, train station and it is a great new place to eat. Now you might be wondering why I am writing about train station food as its normally fast food or sandwiches - well Destination 1850 is different and has changed that preconception. Destination 1850 is from the people behind popular North East venues YOLO and STACK and is the ideal place to grab a bite to eat before or after a train journey - or even just lunch out if you're passing the area. 

Located just inside the train station entrance you will find Destination 1850 inside the glass covering, beautifully decorated it is cosy and welcoming and even has heated seats to keep you warm. Serving a range of hot drinks, wines, soft drinks and cocktails it also has an impressive food menu - expect to see the likes of pizzas, wraps, salads, loaded fries and sharing boards as well as brunch on the menu. 

Cookhouse And Pub Holystone Family Meal - Review

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I love autumn time, it is definitely my favourite season, I enjoy wrapping up warm, crunching through leaves and being cosy. Autumn is always a time for craving comfort food and I always think pub meals are proper comfort food that you just can't beat at this time of year. So at the weekend, we headed to our local Cookhouse and Pub in Holystone, North Tyneside.   

We have visited the Cookhouse and Pub Holystone a few times over the last couple of years but this was the first time we have visited with all three children. After a busy morning of swimming lessons and shopping, we headed to the Cookhouse and Pub with rumbling tummies on Saturday lunchtime, along with my dad who was joining us (my husband was at work). We were warmly greeted and shown to a seat in the conservatory area which is bright, modern and perfectly cosy on a crisp autumn day. 

Activity sheets and crayons were provided for the children along with little pots of popcorn for them to nibble on whilst we pursued the menu. They were also offered vegetable sticks but they passed on these. 

Dining Out With Teens - Thaikhun Metrocentre

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My eldest daughter is 16 and I always try and spend time alone with her, just the two of us at least once a month. It gives us a chance to catch up and I think when you have more than one child, spending one-on-one time with each child is important. Normally when I spend time with my teen we go shopping and for food somewhere that she likes, as she is getting older she is enjoying trying new places as her tastes are a lot different than her younger siblings. So when I was recently invited along to try out the new menu at Thaikhun in the Metrocentre I knew she would enjoy trying out some Thai food and getting her mam to her self for a few hours. 

I have visited Thaikhun in the Metrocentre a few times, we have dined there as a family, as a couple and we also attended a cooking class there. It is somewhere that I always enjoy visiting as the setting is fab (it is decorated to represent the streets of Thailand with interesting things everywhere you look), it has a lovely laid back atmosphere, the staff are so friendly and most importantly of all the food is delicious. 

A Family Meal At Toby Carvery Kenton Review

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I love a good roast dinner and being typically northern we have a Sunday roast every single week as you can't beat fluffy roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and lashings of thick gravy. However sometimes when we are busy we just don't have time to cook a roast so we often find ourselves heading to Toby Carvery as it is somewhere that all five of us enjoy, even our very fussy eater of a five-year-old! Plus we always find it really good value when eating out as a family of five. 

Last Saturday we went shopping at Kingston Park and we decided to head to Toby Carvery whilst we were there. We normally head to the more newer Toby Carvery Shiremoor as this is closer to where we live, however before it opened we were regulars at the Kenton branch as I used to crave them when pregnant with Sophia, so I was keen to see if things were as good as I remember. 

We arrived around 2.30pm on a Saturday afternoon and it was fairly busy, however, we were greeted straight away at the entrance and showing to a table in the dining area. I noticed that the restaurant had a bit of an update since I last visited about five years ago and everything looked more modern yet still welcoming. The dining area and bar area were very clean and there were lots of staff dotted around serving customers, first impressions were good. 

The Highwayman Sizzling Pub In Whickham Review

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You know those day's at the end of the week when you are feeling a bit frazzled after a week of school runs, after-school clubs and chores and you just can't be bothered to cook? Well, that was me last week, after a busy week and with no motivation to cook that evening I decided to take the kids out for tea so we could catch up on what they had been up to at school and so I could have a break from cooking and the dreaded dishes. 

Finding somewhere to eat with kids can sometimes be a bit tricky, with fussy eaters and kids who don't sit still we always try and head somewhere family friendly with a relaxed atmosphere that serves food that the children enjoy. One such place is our local sizzling pub, which serves pub food the kids (and us grown-ups) enjoy, plus it is such great value for money too. I was recently invited along to the recently refurbished The Highwayman Sizzling Pub which is on Whickham Highway in Gateshead, not far from the Metrocentre. I have never visited The Highwayman before so we headed there for tea last week after school with my dad.  

A Family Lunch At Las Iguanas

Saturdays are family days in our house, now that all three children are in full-time school and the other half no longer works weekends, we really try and make the most of our weekends together and normally venture out somewhere on a Saturday. This Saturday we headed into Newcastle as we had some birthday shopping to do for my eldest birthday next week. We were also kindly invited along to Las Iguanas on Grey Street in Newcastle (just down from the Theatre Royal) to try out the new menu.