When I first moved here all those years ago, someone recommended this cafe just off Northumberland Street to me, and I never went. Well, I did try once but had left it too late in the afternoon so I slogged up three flights of stairs to find it closed! Now, I felt was the moment to try again!
This time I took the lift, partly because my car park ticket was in danger of running out and in no time I was whisked from street level to a slightly claustrophobic landing. A helpful lady pointed me in the right direction and finally I had made it to Whistles! First impressions: small room, tables slightly closely packed. Approaching counter - oooh nice cakes! Staff were friendly too. I waited only a short while for my pot of tea (two good cups-worth I'm pleased to report) and what I can only describe as a slab of Victoria sponge and a very nice tasting slab at that.
Nice mix of people, some older ladies gathering steam for the next round of sale shopping; some university staff letting off steam about their colleagues; then a long-lost friend of one of the old ladies walked in by chance and we all had a trip down memory lane. More puzzling, people seemed to be emerging from the other side of the counter - where had they been?
It wasn't until I got up to pay (only £3.05, bargain considering the size of the cake) that I noticed the other half of the cafe, reached via an open passage round the till. Here were more tables, this time with a view over Haymarket Metro and the top of Northumberland Street. How lovely to spend it just watching the world go by oblivious to your presence!
Back at street level and dashing for the car park, I glanced back up at the windows. The rounded brickwork of the building had a slightly twenties look to it, sleek and polished. We should look up more, beyond the corporate shopfronts to the individual designs above. So, Whistles was worth it. Another one that I could happily revisit - maybe for chocolate cake next time...
Friday 28 January 2011
Sunday 23 January 2011
The Sandwich Box Cafe, Walker
Little bit of serendipity (I think!) in this visit. I had planned to go elsewhere but life intervened and I really thought I wouldn't be able to go anywhere this week. Then I found myself in Scrogg Road...and there was the cafe.
Didn't get off to a very good start as I nearly knocked someone over then I open the door. You have to queue in the doorway to be served, basically. I think they could improve the layout there a little. Inside it was wooden floors and pine tables and chairs. Nice and clean. My first instinct was to go for a cheese savoury sandwich and a cup of tea. Then I spotted the coffee and cake for £1.80 deal, and as I'm on a bit of an economy drive thought I would go for that. The chocolate cake was obviously bought in but that didn't detract from its deliciousness - nice and moist, loads of icing. The coffee was too strong for my taste (it usually is) and there was no sugar on the table, you have to state how much you want when ordering and they put it in for you.I have to confess I didn't understand the waitress when she said this. Not often I can't understand a Geordie these days, but she was a bit too staccato for my ears.
There was only myself and one other person eating in, all the rest were takeaways, but the staff seem to have a good local following which is always a good recommendation. Would I go back? Yes, if I was in the area I would know it was clean the food good, but I think it would be cheese savoury and a cup of tea for me next time.
Didn't get off to a very good start as I nearly knocked someone over then I open the door. You have to queue in the doorway to be served, basically. I think they could improve the layout there a little. Inside it was wooden floors and pine tables and chairs. Nice and clean. My first instinct was to go for a cheese savoury sandwich and a cup of tea. Then I spotted the coffee and cake for £1.80 deal, and as I'm on a bit of an economy drive thought I would go for that. The chocolate cake was obviously bought in but that didn't detract from its deliciousness - nice and moist, loads of icing. The coffee was too strong for my taste (it usually is) and there was no sugar on the table, you have to state how much you want when ordering and they put it in for you.I have to confess I didn't understand the waitress when she said this. Not often I can't understand a Geordie these days, but she was a bit too staccato for my ears.
There was only myself and one other person eating in, all the rest were takeaways, but the staff seem to have a good local following which is always a good recommendation. Would I go back? Yes, if I was in the area I would know it was clean the food good, but I think it would be cheese savoury and a cup of tea for me next time.
Tuesday 11 January 2011
The Oven Door, Nuns Moor Road, Fenham
This one has been in my sights for a long time, so I was pleased to make it my first 'new' cafe of 2011. Good enough for Norman Wisdom, good enough for me. In my imagination I pictured a shrine to the late, great comedian with Albanian sightseers packing the place, taking photos, leaving offerings, perhaps indulging in dancing and/or gunfire.
In the event, the dark wooden door opened onto a slate floor and I looked round at dark wooden tables, chairs and beams. All set off by nice red gingham tablecloths and calor gas heaters, it being a cold day. What struck me most was the old oven in the wall - a bread oven I imagine. So, was this an old bakery that diversified? Time to begin research...
The menu was extensive and the freshly made quiches on the counter nearly swayed me from my resolve to have only tea. It all looked so good. I decided on tea and a cheese scone and settled back to see what everyone else was having. There was quite a mix of people in, all local I would guess and not a word of Albanian spoken. The service was very efficient and the chips being eaten at the other side of the cafe looked very fine indeed. My tea came as a pot (two good cups worth) good and strong with plenty of milk. The scone also came with two pats of butter that weren't rock hard from the fridge, so bonus points all round so far.
This is definitely a local hub. People who must be 'regulars' were greeted by name, so the staff obviously make an effort to get to know their customers. It must be the area - I also received friendly service at the greengrocers next door. It's the kind of place that you could feel at home in. One day I might just have to go back to try out the mince and dumplings, or should it be the all-day breakfast ;-)
In the event, the dark wooden door opened onto a slate floor and I looked round at dark wooden tables, chairs and beams. All set off by nice red gingham tablecloths and calor gas heaters, it being a cold day. What struck me most was the old oven in the wall - a bread oven I imagine. So, was this an old bakery that diversified? Time to begin research...
The menu was extensive and the freshly made quiches on the counter nearly swayed me from my resolve to have only tea. It all looked so good. I decided on tea and a cheese scone and settled back to see what everyone else was having. There was quite a mix of people in, all local I would guess and not a word of Albanian spoken. The service was very efficient and the chips being eaten at the other side of the cafe looked very fine indeed. My tea came as a pot (two good cups worth) good and strong with plenty of milk. The scone also came with two pats of butter that weren't rock hard from the fridge, so bonus points all round so far.
This is definitely a local hub. People who must be 'regulars' were greeted by name, so the staff obviously make an effort to get to know their customers. It must be the area - I also received friendly service at the greengrocers next door. It's the kind of place that you could feel at home in. One day I might just have to go back to try out the mince and dumplings, or should it be the all-day breakfast ;-)
Friday 7 January 2011
So many cafes, so little time
It's a few years now since a friend and I made it our New Year's resolution to eat our way down Ocean Road in South Shields. It made for great curries and a resolution we actually kept! So this year I decided to drink my way round Newcastle upon Tyne. I'm guessing a lot of people do this on a regular basis ;-) but in keeping with the family's teetotal roots, all that will pass my lips is tea and (hopefully) the odd slice of cake.
I've got a few ideas of places I want to visit but basically I'm aiming for places new to me and in slightly out of the way locations. So ignoring suggestions from well-meaning friends that I do something worthy like learning to swim instead, I'll be diving into cafe society. But what makes a good cafe experience? A clear space between the tables, interesting decor (I'm remembering a parrot lampstand I once saw), price of course is important, plus value - a pot of strong tea and a wedge of homemade cake is the best. Oh, and the staff, polite and friendly, but not too friendly please!
So, I'm looking for a clean, characterful, original decor, reasonably priced, welcoming establishment that serves strong tea and has a wide selection of cake.
That said, I started off at Morrisons in West Denton. Breaking myself in gently as I had been there before. It's clean and corporate but you have a choice or sitting at a table or on easy chairs. Being old school I prefer to sit up properly when I'm eating. There's plenty of plate glass so you can see the world go by. The tables are placed at a sensible distance so you don't feel you're eavesdropping. Cakes good, tea as strong as you like it because you get a pot, prices very competative. I shall be back, but who knows where next week will take me...
I've got a few ideas of places I want to visit but basically I'm aiming for places new to me and in slightly out of the way locations. So ignoring suggestions from well-meaning friends that I do something worthy like learning to swim instead, I'll be diving into cafe society. But what makes a good cafe experience? A clear space between the tables, interesting decor (I'm remembering a parrot lampstand I once saw), price of course is important, plus value - a pot of strong tea and a wedge of homemade cake is the best. Oh, and the staff, polite and friendly, but not too friendly please!
So, I'm looking for a clean, characterful, original decor, reasonably priced, welcoming establishment that serves strong tea and has a wide selection of cake.
That said, I started off at Morrisons in West Denton. Breaking myself in gently as I had been there before. It's clean and corporate but you have a choice or sitting at a table or on easy chairs. Being old school I prefer to sit up properly when I'm eating. There's plenty of plate glass so you can see the world go by. The tables are placed at a sensible distance so you don't feel you're eavesdropping. Cakes good, tea as strong as you like it because you get a pot, prices very competative. I shall be back, but who knows where next week will take me...
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