Toney Minchellas, South Marine Park, South Shields

What with major religious festivals and royal weddings, Grace has had to go on tour this week to an exceptionally nice and sunny South Shields. 
The new Toney Minchellas cafe replaces the takeaway by the boating lake and was well patronised during the school holiday.  The selection of cakes was truly magnificent (my friend and I finally agreed to share a piece of apple pie with cream) and the coffees were served in glasses with a metal holder - very stylish.  I have to say they reminded me of Macaris on Torquay harbourside, memories of warm summer evenings, a holiday atmosphere, happy times.
The cafe itself is light and airy, the side facing the boating lake is almost entirely glass so you have a great view of the park, and there are tables outside too.  We sat at the far side, equally glassy but with a view of bluebells and the miniature railway track ('The Mountaineer'  will chuff by within feet of your table).  I also noticed birdboxes newly attached to the trees so soon it may be possible to watch avian antics as well.  The decor is fresh and clean, and the whole cafe has a nice open feel to it.  I am assured it is equal to anything that continental Europe can offer.  If there was a downside, it was the slightly too loud radio playing throughout.
Yes, I can recommend Toney Minchellas as part of a balanced day out in South Shields (other ingredients include fish and chips, curry, the beach and the funfair), visit soon! 
Grace will be back in the toon next week!!

Jack Sprats, Chillingham Road

This place has a nice community feel to it - advertising activities over Easter etc etc.  It's quietly tucked away but even on a Monday there were several people in.

Ordering proved a little difficult.  Tea?  Which tea?  Milk?  Which milk?  Cake?  Gluten free?  Suitable for vegetarians?  Suitable for vegans?  Oh, blow it, let's just have a cup of Tetleys and a caramel slice!  I can thoroughly recommned the caramel slice.  There were tiny Easter cup cakes on sale for 50p as well, but I restrained myself.

The furnishing and decor is as I have come to expect from this type of cafe.  Wooden floors, old dining room tables and chairs, old three piece suites with throws.  Art work on the walls (here it was for sale).  I checked out the magazine selection and found it limited to some elderly editions of The Crack together with veggie/healthy lifestyle mags of various ages.  The music was different though.  Someone's iPod selection perhaps?  In half an hour we had The Beatles, latin, classical and more pop.  As someone at another table said, it was worth coming to see what was played next.

So would I come again?  If I lived nearby, definitely, as it has a good local feel and the staff are very friendly and nice.  Would I go out of my way?  Probably not wise - someone as indecisive as me could still be deciding on milk at closing time.

Sandra's Village Tearoom, Woolsington

Made this excursion with two friends and a pleasant time was had by all after a little local difficulty about which side of the road the tearoom was on.  OK, I was wrong.  Bit of a shame seeing I was navigating but no doubt we'll look back on it and laugh.
Anyway, a nice pot of tea for three was served.  I can voucher for the niceness of the Victoria sponge and I am assured that the lemon cheesecake and the scone were also nice (they certainly looked it).

Sandra's is everything a tearoom should be, nice little pine tables with tablecloths, friendly staff, clean looking and smelling, frequented by the locals.  What's not to like?  Defintely one to visit when you're passing

The Heaton Perk, Heaton Park Road

Discussing my quest with colleagues at work, someone mentioned the Heaton Perk which I had never heard of before and as it is high time I redressed the balance of visits in favour of the east side of town, I did a little recce and decided to visit!  There are plenty of places in Heaton Road and Chillingham Road for later, but I must admit I was very taken with the Heaton Perk.
It reminded me of the Tiny Tea Tent that I encountered at (I think) Larmer Tree and Greenbelt festivals.  Very relaxed, fine selection of herbal teas, chocolate chip shortbread to die for, just fine, I felt really at home.  I sat in the window, drinking tea, munching shortbread, reading the newspapers on offer and taking in the scene.  As always, I'd picked a quiet time of day, but by the look of the toys and board games available I guess this is a valued community place where families are welcome.  There's plenty of information about what's on too - leaflets, posters.  All this and tea served in a proper teapot to be poured into a proper cup and saucer.  Another little jewel hidden away, and definitely one that I'll revisit