There has been a lot of hype about the Botanist since it opened its doors last year, with friends and acquaintances talking fervently about the bar with a full sized tree AND a roof terrace overlooking the Monument.  Whilst the chilly weather of late may, or may not, have kept people from the roof terrace, it certainly hasn't kept them from the bar.  Arriving on a wet Wednesday evening, the bar was buzzing and the atmosphere inviting. 
  

The Botanist are proud to introduce some new summer additions to their food and drink menus and invited me along to try them, as part of an intimate bloggers gathering.  We were shown to our table and treated to some new cocktails and a delicious array of food for our tasting pleasure.

While we waited for our party to arrive we had a look through the new menus including the Anthology of Ales which was so aesthetically pleasing and ornate that it was hard to remember it was a beer list; definitely one for the beer enthusiasts, an extensive offering of beers from near and far.

We sampled four new summer-ready cocktails, each as fresh and fragrant as the one before.  I enjoyed my Watermelon and Sage Sling, which was a little too easy to drink, and would be perfect for someone wanting a cocktail without too much of a punch.  The Botanist Pornstar, with Prosecco Chaser was fruity with a good kick and the Apricot and Ginger Sling was spicy and sweet, but for me, the Passionfruit and Basil Crush really hit the spot.

We tried a selection of food from the Starter and Nibbles section, all of which were great to share.  The highlights for me were the Goats Cheese and Tomato Quiche (sooo tasty, light and crispy), the Baked Camembert (always a winner in my cheese-loving eyes), the Salt and Pepper Onion Petals (light, crispy deep fried onion segments with a cool dip) and the cute little Sardines in a Tin (served warm with bread and hot sauce).
 

The Botanist offer live music evey night and to top it off we enjoyed an acoustic set from Hattie Murdoch, which was absolutely fantastic.  She performed mostly acoustic covers, with a flawless voice and unique twists, which made for thoroughly enjoyable listening.  I will definitely be planning my next visit for when she is in session!

Fresh food, summer inspired cocktails, world class music and fantastic company with these three lovely bloggers... what more could I want?  Thank you to the Botanist for having us!

Why not pop in to the Botanist and try for yourself.  There is (supposedly) good weather on the way so make the most of the terrace and the summer additions to an already fantastic cocktail menu!

P.S. For some annoying reason my hyperlinks are covering the whole sentence in this post?!

The Cookhouse first caught my eye when I read about a then upcoming butchery demonstration on the blogosphere and hence stumbled upon the beautifully executed blog of Cookhouse owner Anna Hedworth (The Grazer).   Since the discovery, and my subsequent visit, I have heard numerous reports from friends and acquaintances singing the praises of Anna, both personally and professionally.  Fellow Ouseburners are pleased to have a new and quality eatery and those who have visited are excited and expectant at what the Cookhouse has to offer.  Located on a quiet street in the Ouseburn, the Cookhouse has been open since last Autumn and boasts a pot belly stove through the winter months and plans for al fresco dining during the upcoming sumer.  The Cookhouse cafe opens on weekdays only but Anna is passionate about food events and providing unique dining experiences to meet your requirements so there are lots of opportunities to sample what’s on offer.

The menu is concise but considered and changes regularly.  We couldn’t help but try one of nearly every item on the menu, each of which was accompanied by a salad.  The food was homemade and tasty, the salads delicately flavoured.  Clearly a lot of thought and expertise had gone into the balance of flavours.  I have to apologise for the quality of my photos but it was one of those times that i wanted to enjoy the experience rather than record every moment.  We drank spicy homemade ginger cordial and finished our meal by sharing a slice of homemade cake and a pot of OCC coffee.

Take a day off and visit for yourself on Ouse Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PF or alternatively plan an extra special supper with Anna at the helm…

www.cookhouse.org

Yesterday I stopped by Brentwood Avenue in Jesmond for some lunch and a browse in the shops.  Due to the tail end of hurricane Gonzalo it was a very windy experience and we practically ran from shop to shop to shelter from the gusts.  For those who subscribe to My Little Box, I nearly lost my DVF scarf in the wind as it blew off me and I had to chase it down the street!  

Brentwood Avenue is a small row of shops and businesses in West Jesmond, and is my first destination if I need to get a wedding, christening or birthday gift due to the gorgeous little gift shops, cook shop and delis.

I've wanted to revisit this little gem for quite a while now. Now that I am self employed and free from the constraints of an employer I love that I am able to pop in somewhere while it is peaceful, quiet and relaxing. This morning I was waiting to pick something up from the printers and my girls were at nursery so I grabbed the chance to stroll along the Quayside and treat myself to a yummy breakfast. I didn't bank on how chilly it would be so breakfast kind of trumped the stroll ;)

Quay Ingredient is a tiny little cafe right under the Tyne Bridge. It just has five tables and two low sofa tables so on a Saturday or Sunday it can be hard to squeeze in.  There is a nice atmosphere of accommodating your fellow diners, however, and people seem happy to move around so everyone can fit.

The Naked Deli - Heaton

Today I finally stopped by the Naked Deli on Chillingham Road in Heaton.  I've been watching it as I drive past each day for weeks now, and popped in for a late lunch today.  I loved the mildly industrial, minimal decor immediately giving the sense of cleanliness and healthiness.