Kitsch'n, Acorn Road, Jesmond

I spotted this one a couple of days ago and thought I should give it a go.  I even found a stalwart friend to accompany me.  Said stalwart friend is a little miffed not to have a cuddly nickname like Wombat or Hamster.  'Your own fault,' I said. 'Choose a name now.'  There is no pleasing some people.  My suggestions of Gerbil and Koala were rebuffed and after that it got a bit silly.  Who'd want to be known as Three Toed Sloth?  Actually, you may not think that's too bad once I introduce you to Polyglot.  Yes, you did read right and don't even think of Polly Parrot, that went down really badly.

Now to business!  The cafe seems to be channelling the sort of 50s/60s vibe I've seen in certain icecream parlours locally.  Lots of American posters on walls, vinyl covered bench seating round rectangular tables.  It's just what I remember from my youth.  We heeded the notices that suggested only groups of three or more should used the bench tables and went to sit on the tables opposite.  It's a mixed clientele - groups of students sipping smoothies and construction workers ordering bacon butties to take out or all day breakfasts to eat in.

We decided on coffees and a piece of carrot cake to share.  My latte was very nice and Polyglot (do I have to?) seemed satisfied with an expresso.  As a youngster, however, he was slightly foxed by the sugar which was a a glass dispenser with a spout and not hygenic paper tubes.  It also came in white only.  Ah, those were the days.  The cake was beautifully moist and came adorned with whipping cream and a toffee sauce, making it look extra special.

This is one to pop into if in Jesmond, the menu seems more savoury than sweet but I think the students and construction workers will ensure it pays its way.

Willi's, Clayton Road, Jesmond

Willi's really is tucked away in a quiet street with Byzantine parking regulations.  I think it may have been an Italian restaurant in a previous incarnation.  Now it nestles beneath the trees with the wooden floor, the quirky decor (old picture frames with cups, jugs salt and pepper pots emerging), the frankly wonderful array of cakes (Victoria sponge like you have never tasted and which I demolished at a speed that astonished my companion), newspapers to browse of course, lazy afternoon music and a sprinkling of other customers.  Ideally placed for the people who live in the beautiful town houses or snug little mews nearby, or the mums catching up after dropping the kids off at school, or the clientele of the exclusive shops further along the street. 
Willi's know their niche.  It's good coffee, fine teas (silk pyramid infusions, I tell you, not a teabag in sight), good food.  It's Jesmond.  It's a little fantasy world.  So just for a short while I played the game - I lived in a house like that, used those shops, had a residents parking permit, and it was always sunny.  Harmless, like most fantasy, but don't start believing it.

The Urban Coffee House, Brentwood Avenue, Jesmond

This blog was born of a spirit of adventure, let no one tell you otherwise!  Today's visit illustrates this.  I'd been to the Mixer market (part of the Jesmond Community festival) at the British Legion, bought nothing and was strolling back down Thornleigh Road wondering if I could make Starbucks my destination of the week when I spotted the signpost to Brentwood Avenue Shops.  I was off into uncharted territory - not quite hacking through impenetrable jungle although I did have to negotiate an overgrown shrub as one stage - but certainly an area of Newcastle that I hadn't visited before.  And behold!  on the corner The Urban Coffee House - never heard of it, not on my list, but before I knew it I was inside ordering a rocky road slice and an americano.

Braver souls than I were sitting at the tables outside, but I opted for the window seating - armchairs round small tables that appeared to have been recycled from something that housed cable (bobbins?  dunno, word not in my vocabulary).  There was more seating behind the counter.  Nice smiley staff, upbeat latiny music, all the decor looked clean and recently done out.  On the walls were sketches for the interior of the cafe.  On the toilet walls were prints of well known people from the world of popular entertainment.  One might have been Jimi Hendrix.

The rocky road slice was sweet and gooey.  I suspect the coffee was stronger than I like but as I am nursing a cold I couldn't really taste it  I couldn't see the opening hours, but this cafe is one to linger at during the day or early evening to watch Jesmond pass you by on its way to the metro or Osborne Road

The Fat Hippo, Jesmond

It's good when a plan comes together, and when the plan involves friends, dancing and my new year resolution so much the better!  So today found me at The Fat Hippo in Jesmond with a friend ordering tea and a club sandwich before going to French dancing at the British Legion up the road - nice!
I'd spotted the Fat Hippo a few weeks ago and put it on the hit list, then had cold feet as I thought it might be more of a restaurant than a tea shop.  I found it to be the kind of place you might go for a snack and being Jesmond it was very trendy.  We were the only oldies there and during our stay a couple of parties of students came in.  The decor was mustard yellow walls, grey paintwork, wooden floors, a rather lovely dandelion clock light, tables and chairs for two (but staff willing to push tables together). Music vibrant but not unpleasantly loud.
The tea was served in individual pots, just enough for two of their nice sized cups.  The club sandwiches were enormous!  half a stottie (bet they say ciabatta in Jesmond) with plenty of filling (I had cajun chicken with roasted red pepper and BBQ sauce), chips and a salad garnish.  Enticing though the caramel shortbread sounded, we did have the dancing to go to...
So yes, I'd rate the place.  A cut above my usual cheap and cheerful standard but definitely one for the young and trendy or those who think they are!