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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North East Eats: Fiume - Washington

Fiume is a bit of a Washington institution.  Growing up in good old Washy, Fiume was pretty much the only restaurant in the whole town, so obviously the whole of Washington has eaten there time and time again. Over the years, Washington got itself a whole host of new eateries, popping up all over the place, but good old Fiume has stood the test of time.  I have to admit, I haven't set foot in the place in a good ten years, in fact I think one of my first dates with Kris was in Fiume when we were but children, so I couldn't wait to go back and bask in the nostalgia.

The restaurant has changed a bit since last I visited, a facelift for the old girl. Gone are the worn down carpets and battered bar for a new, sleeker finish.  We visited on a Tuesday afternoon, bang on 12pm, I've just finished up with a tattoo removal appointment so I was famished and ready to eat.  We were instantly escorted to our table by the friendliest waiter ever, Miguel, if you happen to get served by him you're in for a delightful evening.  Drinks order taken we perused the Festive menu.

To start I spotted a blue cheese and mushroom bruschetta, there was no way I was letting that baby pass me by! It was bloody delicious, what's not to love, blue cheese and mushrooms on a hunk of toast. Hells to the yes!  Kris opted for the old classic, ham hock terrine.  I'm not a huge terrine person so I just let him dig into that one but he assured me it was lovely.

I settled on a good old turkey dinner with all the trimmings, you can't go wrong.  The dinner came with pigs in blankets, mountains of pork stuffing, the fluffiest roast potatoes I've ever tasted, chestnuts (I love chestnuts so this was a welcome surprise) and oddly, a dish of roasted Mediterranean vegetables. This was a very strange addition to a Christmas lunch and I'd have much rather been presented with good old broccoli and carrots, and I don't even like carrots that much.  The best thing about this meal, it came with an extra helping of gravy, no need to ask. That's a winner in my books, I like my roast swimming in gravy.

Kris opted for a fillet of cod in a tomato, chorizo and cannelini bean sauce, and those roasted Mediterranean vegetables again, although I think they went with Kris' dish way more than mine.  the sauce was a wee bit bland, I think it needed a little dash of paprika or something to give it some real depth but it was still very pleasant. 

At this point I was stuffed to the point of bursting but since we'd ordered dessert at the beginning of the meal it would be rude not to have a go.  Mine was a lime panacotta with blueberry compote and a pistachio crumble while Kris went for chocolate tart with salted caramel ice cream.

My panacotta was delicious, so so zesty and the blueberry compote was so delicious I could have ate that on its own. Sadly I was told the chef couldn't get his hands on any pistachio crumble (?!), isn't that just smashed up pistachios? Oh well! 

Kris chocolate tart was delicious, it was exactly what it said on the tin. Dark and rich with creamy caramel ice cream. Yum!

I sat back and rubbed my tummy, fit to burst, when Miguel tottered back over and asked if we'd like to see their new gin bar, Acqua. I accepted, of course, always keen to see what my home town has in store.

Hidden away at the back of the restaurant, it's a bit of a secret destination. If you don't know, you don't know kinda deal. The bar offers a range of gin based cocktails, mixology masterclasses and can host private events.  I can really see this becoming a buzzing part of the Washington bar scene. I for one can't wait to check out Acqua in full swing next time I find myself tottering about my home town.

*I was invited to Fiume for a complimentary meal in exchange for an honest review. 

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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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Travel: Las Vegas - Photo Diary

I can't believe it's been a whole month since I packed my bags and headed out to sunny Las Vegas. The holiday blues have hit me hard this past week so I thought I'd share some photos of my trip with you guys and attempt to relive some of the fun times. I hope you don't mind.

Our holiday began with a trip to Las Vegas to see my best friend in the world marry the love of her life. I can tell you, Vegas is just the best city in the world to visit with a group of your nearest and dearest. Windowless casinos leaving you wondering if it's even night or day, drunken shopping in Sephora, visiting haunted museums, this trip had it all; and this was only the begining. 

Never in my life have I felt the need to do a round of jello shots before draining six bottles of champagne for breakfast (no joke, we actually did this) but in Vegas, it just felt like the norm.  If you ever find yourself in that part of the world I can wholeheartedly recommend the Wicked Spoon Breakfast Buffet, do yourself a favour and add on the unlimited booze option. It's $15 well spent!

The famous Flamingo Hotel was our base for the 3 days we spent in Vegas and  that pink flashing monolyth served us well.  The hotel had everything you need and more, fancy a diamante Elton John cap, they got that!  The rooms were spacious and functional, certainly not flashy but hey you're not in Vegas to spend time sitting alone in your room, am I right?!  Staying at The Flamingo? Get yourself down to the pool for an afternoon of sunning yourself surrounded by people that wouldn't be amiss in an episode of Jersey Shore, a real fun experience. Just make sure you don't buy the $30 margarita...

Stay tuned for my New Orleans and Memphis photo diaries. Have you been to Las Vegas? What was your opinion on the real city that never sleeps?

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