The Afternoon Tea Files: Jesmond Dene House

Afternoon Tea is one of the greatest pleasures in life. There isn't anything better than settling yourself down in a beautiful location only to know you're going to be spending a good few hours chatting, nibbling and relaxing. It's the perfect way to spend a rainy day (or sunny day, or any day really), which is exactly what we did recently at Jesmond Dene House.

 

I've been to Jesmond Dene House for afternoon tea a number of times but have never featured it on my blog, I've always been too busy chattering on and drinking champagne to even think about breaking the spell and picking my camera up.  So, when JDH contacted me and asked me to review their new Easter themed Afternoon Tea I was thrilled. Armed with my camera and trusty sidekick, Kris we jumped in the car and off to Jesmond we went.

I couldn't believe my eyes when our waiter placed the cake stand in front of us. The cakes were some of the most beautiful I've ever seen, delicate yet vibrant I couldn't wait to dig in.  Priced at £25pp I honestly think you'd struggle to find such quality patisserie at this price point, they've really pulled something special out of the bag here.

We, of course, started off with the savoury tier. This consisted of a cheese savoury and a ham, wholegrain mustard and tomato sandwich each. We were then delighted to discover a few cheeky characters lurking amongst the sandwiches, a cheese and butternut squash quiche and a bloody sausage roll! Any afternoon tea that features a sausage roll has instantly won me over. I mean, you can take the lass out of Newcastle and all that... 

Shimmying up a tier, it was scone time. A cheese scone which I slathered in butter, standard. I have to admit, it was pretty damn delicious, once of the best I've tasted. Next was a plain scone served with clotted cream and a choice of raspberry or strawberry jam (cream then jam, I'll fight anyone that says otherwise) then another festive addition, a fresh baked hot crossed bun. Hawt damn, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. May I add, the little nuggets of sugar on top were a revelation. Can all hot crossed buns have these in future? I'll start a campaign.

And now the part we've all been waiting for. The pièce de résistance, the cake tier *angelic music plays*. Ahh man, I can't even to begin to describe how delicious these little babes were.  I was faced with a dilemma, I knew I could only manage two at best relegating the other two to a box for later that evening. In the end I chose to eat the lime and raspberry macaron and the coconut and mango posset while saving the rhubarb crumble tart and chocolate mousse sable for when I got home and changed into my stretchy pants.

Sadly it just started raining again as we left, scuppering any plans I had of rambling through the beautiful dene but trust me when I say, it's an incredible place for an afternoon stroll. 

As always, Jesmond Dene House have knocked it out of the park, I've never had anything less than a wonderful experience whenever I've dined with them and this was no exception.  In the infamous words of Arnie, I'll be back.

Jesmond Dene House
Jesmond Dene Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE2 2EY
(0191) 212 3000

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Newcastle Eats: Fuego Review

Fuego has been a part of the Fenwick Foodhall in the center of Newcastle for the past few years now and I can honestly say it's one of my favorite places to grab a bite to eat.  Offering up mediteranian style tapas and hand stretched pizzas it's the perfect place to while away an afternoon. One thing that takes this place to the next level is the Enomatic system they've installed, this clever little machine allows you to sample super fancy wines, normally sold by the bottle (with an eyewatering price tag) by the glass allowing you to sample some pretty nifty wines without breaking the bank.

After a good long while studying the menu we decided to go for a handful of dishes to share rather than a pizza. I mean, why get pizza when there's tapas on offer.  We settled on a portion of padron peppers (minus the balsamic drizzle, I just think they're better with a simple sprinkle of salt), pan con tomate (a staple of any self respecting tapas establishment), patatas bravas, gnocchi al forno, polenta chips with a romesco sauce and finally butterbeans with chorizo.  Phew, now there's a mouthful!

Everything was delicious, my only gripe is the patatas bravas need a little something extra.  A thicker, spicier sauce or a drizzle of aoli. Just something to make them pop beyond crispy potatoes and tomato. 

The polenta chips were crispy little slices of heaven, blanketed by shavings of parmesan and acpompanied with a superbly garlicy romesco. I could have devoured portion after portion.  

 

Even though we were both full to bursting I just couldn't resist a glance at the desert menu. Kris noticed the churros the second we sat down so I knew there was no way we'd be able to leave without ordering a portion. Not to be left out, and neither of us is too keen on sharing a dessert, I ordered the baklava. It was tasty, but by no means the best I've ever had. It was a little too solid and not the sticky, crumbly mouthful I love. If I could go back in time I would have ordered the crema catalana which sounds unbelievable. Oh well, there's always next time.

Fuego, Fenwick Food Hall, 39 Northumberland St, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7AS

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Cookies and Cream Cookies

No, you're not reading that title wrong, these are indeed cookies and cream cookies. Or, inception cookies as Kris likes to refer to them.

By now you all know my feelings about cookies, I've always got to have a stash hiding away in my freezer for when you just have to have a warm, melty cookie in your life. These moments seem to happen an awful lot in my house and there's no problem that a warm cookie won't fix.  These babies are my current favorite emergency cookies, I've had to resort to hiding them behind the frozen peas to ensure Kris doesn't spot them and gobble them all up. The lengths I have to go to, right?!

Milk powder might sound like a weird ingredient to use in cookies but they add an unbelievable richness and a chew to die for. You can find it in most supermarkets by the UHT milk (but there's no demand for that because it's shite! (holla to all my Father Ted fans))

If you love cookies as much as me, check out these babes: Nutella Swirl Cookies / Peanut Butter Stuffed Cookies / Levain Bakery Copycat Cookies / Nutella Melting Middle Cookies / Kick Ass Chocolate Chunk Cookies /  Dairy Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies and Cream Cookies

Ingredients:

• 150g full fat cream cheese
• 125g unsalted butter at room temperature
• 200g soft brown sugar
• 1 large, free range egg
• 1tsp vanilla paste
• 180g plain flour
• 60g milk powder
• 1tsp baking powder
• 1/2tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 20 oreo cookies, chopped up small
• 100g milk chocolate chips

Cooking Directions:

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer beat together the cream cheese and butter until light, fluffy and fully mixed together. Around 1-2minutes mixing at a medium speed. Add the brown sugar, egg and vanilla and mix until pale and fluffy.
2. In a medium bowl sift the flour, milk powder, baking soda and baking powder together. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Pour in the oreos and chocolate chips and mix until everything is evenly distributed. Cover the bowl in cling film and chill for two hours.
3. Preheat the oven to 175C and line two baking sheets with baking parchment. Roll heaping tablespooons of the chilled cookie dough into balls and place on the baking sheet, giving each cookie room to spread.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until just starting to colour around the edges. Allow to cool for a few minutes on the baking try before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Or, you know, eat them warm, who am I to tell you how to eat cookies?!

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Newcastle Eats - The Post Box Ponteland

The Post Box up in leafy Ponteland is a bit of a rainy Tuesday haunt for myself and Kris.  For some reason or another, whenever I wake up to pouring rain I always seem to suggest the drive up to the pretty little village near Newcastle. Maybe it's become ingrained in my mind as the first two times we visited it was a bit stormy, so when I opened my eyes to grey skies and the pitter patter of rain I knew there was only one place I wanted to go.

There's one big reason both myself and Kris are big fans of The Post Box, and that is their homemade veggie sausages. Oh my lord are they good!  Normally I would never dream of passing up a meaty sausage in favour of the veggie variety, but The Post Box have completely swayed me. Apparently the recipe is a well guarded secret and I can see why.  From what I can gather it seems to be a mixture of leek, onion, cheese and mashed potato rolled in breadcrumbs and fried. I mean, if that's not getting your mouth watering like a faucet then I dunno what will.

For the purposes of pictorial variety we decided only one of us could order the vegetarian breakfast, we flipped a coin and I lost. Woe is me. Still, I wasn't short of options.  Torn between The Post Box Eggs (their take on eggs Benedict with pesto, hollandaise and haloumi) and the hash bowl I decided on the latter, it was the chorizo that won me over here.

The bill came to just over £20 for two meals, two hot drinks and a large orange juice, which I think is pretty reasonable considering how delicious everything was. I left with a very full tummy and plans to return very soon.  Anyone with as much halloumi on the menu as The Post Box is always going to be in my good books.

The Post Box,
11 Main Street,
Ponteland,
Newcastle Upon Tyne,
NE20 9NH

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Newcastle Eats - Zucchini Pasta Bar

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There's been a wee bit of a buzz about Newcastle newcomer Zucchini since it opened a few month ago. Normally, I'm not one to give into blogger hype, despite being one myself.  I tend to rely on word of mouth, or simple proximity to where I am, at the moment hunger strikes.  For Zucchini, I had to make an exception as it just looked too good to ignore.

I dragged Kris for a blustery walk into Newcastle after work one Saturday, with the lure of all the pasta he could eat and if he was good, a cake and beer too.  Zucchini is located on the 55° North roundabout, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Newcastle City Centre. 

The restaurant has a wonderful chilled-out vibe. Minimal decor with clean open spaces gives Zucchini a total relaxed atmosphere. I could very easily see me whiling away a couple of hours with a selection of nibbles and a chilled bottle of wine without a care in the world.  It's been a long while since I dined alone but I could absolutely see myself feeling very comfortable as a solitary diner here.

We started out with a few sides, a beer and a glass of white wine.  In my humble opinion every meal should be accompanied by some sort of bread and oil, and this sourdough was just the ticket.  The thick, chewy crust was a thing of wonder. I would have liked a trickle of balsamic but that's just me being a bit finnicky.  I chose the Grissini nduja with creamy Gorgonzola, I mean do I even need to say anything more?! I have the biggest soft spot for nduja and if I see it on any menu, I just have to order it.  Many times I've been disappointed by my choice, faced with either low quality or chilli flakes masquerading as nduja (I'm looking at you, Zizzi) but not today.  Look at that hunk of sexy, spicy sausage hiding under the crisp grissini. I was on cloud nine!  The best part about it, the sides were all a mere £2 each. I'm kicking myself for not ordering more.

On to the star of the show, the fresh pasta; which is made and hand rolled on site, may I add.  I went for the Pappardelle Amatriciana (Guanciale, tomato, white wine & pecorino) which was delicious.  The pasta was perfect, with just the right amount of bite. The chunks of Guanciale hidden within the folds of pasta made a wonderful change from the usual piggy suspect, pancetta. 

Kris chose the simple Tagliatelle Cioa E Pepe (parmesan, pecorino & black pepper).  It was rich, creamy and deliciously decident.  I love pepper and it really was the star of this dish, adding a slight heated punch to every bite.

Despite being absolutely fit to burst, I just couldn't turn down a desert. At just £3 a pop, I'd be daft not to indulge.  I've heard amazing things about their Tiramisu, but sadly it sits right atop my most hated sweets list, so that was out of the question.  Instead I opted for the chocolate mint truffles which came with a cute little hairpiece, which upon closer inspection turned out to be a chocolate mint candy floss.  What a neat little addition.  

All in, our bill came to £22.80.  I simply cannot believe the amazing value that Zucchini is knocking out.  If you consider that only a few days previous I was in Unos (out of necessity, I was on the quayside and hungry for pasta) and paid £25 for two bowls of pasta and two Pepsis. Needless to say, I'll be back to Zucchini, time and time again.  Mine's a white wine and a chunk of nduja, if you please.

Zucchini

55° North

Pilgrim Street

Newcastle Upon Tyne

NE1 6BL

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