Street Spice festival, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne

As is usual with life, it's either all or nothing socially and I was wondering how, or indeed if, I could squeeze in a visit to the Street Spice festival.  It's been well publicised and had the very worthy aim of raising money for a brain tumour charity.  In the end the only time I could manage was a quick visit on Saturday early evening after work.   I'm glad I went. 

Parking in Westgate Road was easy and I cut through by the Settle Down cafe (qv) and was soon at the Centre for Life.  (I had also managed a quick raid on M&S, and was pleasantly surprised to see how busy the town was.  I'd popped in on Tuesday evening to find it very empty.  And so, sparing kind words of direction for lost North American tourists, I was on my way to Street Spice.)  The marquee was bustling and there was a discreet and reassuring security presence.  It was a little crowded what with buggies and all, but I managed to fight my way round and see the fine array of fare on offer.  But what to choose?  Play safe with a vegetable samosa?  Coffee and cake?  Buy chilli sauce for home use?  Jamican rum dumplings!  Could I then drive home?  Eventually I settled, for Vietnamese potato cakes courtesy of Electric East.  The lady serving was dressed to indoctrinate but probably not kill and the food was beautifully served in a little cardboard dish.  I took advice and added the sweet salsa and the yogurt dressing and stood in a corner and ate.

This was my introduction to Vietnamese food and I liked it.  I liked the tangy and tingly sensation on my lips and tongue, without the food being ;'hot' in a spicy way.  I could have carried on experiencing new food sensations had time and money permitted, but sadly I had to make that do.  Will the festival happen again?  I hope so, and judging by the crowds it would be a popular event.  Next time I will allow much more time and go along with a fat wallet and a thin waistline and watch them change places!

Kylin Chinese buffet, Ocean Road, South Shields

Just in case you were thinking I was starving myself - not the case at all!  In fact this afternoon a friend and I were stuffing ourselves silly at the Grand Buffet at Kylin.  I hadn't visited before but had heard good things about the place and indeed I was impressed.  And Chinese new year too - what an auspicious day to visit!

So, from the street through the double doors into a roomy foyer and then into the restaurant proper.  The former Leveys DIY store has been transformed into a palace!  Comfortable chairs and tables, a respectable distance apart; beautiful decor; friendly and helpful staff but not too overpowering; good-looking tasty food!  What more could you want?  We sat and chatted and munched our way through seaweed, dim sum, noodles, chicken in various forms, rice, duck - all your favourites are here - and there's even puds!  Puds are a bit English i.e. cheesecake and icecream but I'm not complaining.  However, I did once have an amazing coconut pud in another chinese buffet and have heard rumours about toffee apple balls? (can this be right??)

All in all, a clean, friendly, happy place and a credit to South Shields!

Morrisons supermarket

A small hurrah for Morrisons in these austere times!  I got a chunk of Battenberg and a big cup and a half of tea for just £1.54 today.  The surroundings are clean and tidy.  The staff are efficient.  And what's more you can afford to go out for coffee with friends!

Wendy's Coffee Shop, Union Street, Newton Abbot

Another recent(ish) Newton cafe that I visited between Christmas and New Year.

Wendy's is a tiny coffee shop just off the main street, but Union Street looks to be thriving now - plenty of new shops opening.  There were two or three tables, most of the occupied, so I opted unusually to sit on the sofa, where I had a good view of all the comings and goings down the street.  Not that many people were about on a wet, blustery day.  There was an array of individually wrapped cupcakes and cake bars on display, plus a hot food menu, but I opted for just a white coffee.  The coffee tasted good and the service was efficient and friendly.  Also, the customers seemed all to be regulars which is always a good advertisement.  Two ladies were having a heart-to-heart about their families and everybody else's families - Wendy's is too small for that, we all could hear every word.  That said, I'd definitely go again - ideal clean, tidy, cosy place for a quick coffee in the heart of town.

The Nest at Magpies, Wolborough Street, Newton Abbot

Christmas is many things to many people.  It's many things to me, but family, friends and traditions are a large part of it.  So, after carols by candlelight yesterday, nothing was nicer than today to be shopping in the market for fresh fruit and veg, cream, scones, mincepies.  Then to bump into a friend you haven't seen for ages and chat in the rain.  Then to head for a pre-arranged meeting with my oldest friend (she'll kill me!) and for us to head to the Nest for coffee.  At one time we met every week there but now it's just when I'm visiting.  It's reassuringly the same.  Plenty of space, the same lovely ceramic Christmas trees on the tables, the outrageous parrot standard lamp in the corner.  The nice coffee.  Were the cheese scones slightly smaller?  Doesn't matter - The Nest is a tradition!

We sat for an hour as we used to do and chatted.  The world has changed in so many ways, we need the reassurance of familiar things.  Then we got up to go.  I would have put my coat on and been away, but my good friend headed for the counter - we hadn't paid!  That's want friends are for - keeping you right, not paying for everything, that is!

So, that's it, I'm happy - and a merry Christmas to one and all!

Northside Diner at Fenwicks, Newcastle upon Tyne

I spotted this one earlier in the year on my walk through Fenwicks but it took Christmas and two friends who like all things American and 1950s to make a visit happen.  Here's how it went.

After a little local difficulty with the lift (I was pressing the staff-only button) we finally made it to the 3rd floor and negotiated our way past racks of oh-so-cute children's wear to the Diner.  Ignoring the 'please wait to be seated' notice, my pals spotted a free booth and in no time we were sitting on red and white bench seats round a table.  The semi-circular seats opposite looked equally comfy (next time!).  One of the cheerful staff soon caught up with us and brought menus. 

The menu told of hot dogs, burgers, nachos as well as apple pie, waffles and milkshakes, chocolate and coffee, oh and tea as a sop to the Brits.  After much debate I chose apple pie and hot chocolate while my friends chose chocolate milkshakes and waffles.

The above were served quickly and efficiently by yet more cheerful staff - and so young! - and I have to report everything we ordered was good.  The hot choc came with whipped cream and marshmallows, the apple pie with cream and icecream.  I am reliably informed that the milkshakes were everything a good old fashioned milkshake should be and extremely chocolatey.  The waffles had to be shared out as the portion sizes were very generous.

Going back?  For the nachos, definitely, and I hope I don't have to wait until next Christmas!

Mac 'n' Alli's, Westoe Crown Village, South Shields

If you've ever wondered where all the yummy mummies in South Shields hang out, this is the place!  What could be better than a nice cafe close to the primary school and with free parking just outside?  I've had this one in my sights for a while and have hinted to a couple of friends that it would be good to try it, but no-one took the bait and so I had to go alone.  Here goes...

First impressions, perhaps a bit off the beaten track, but good parking and a good trade too by the looks of things.  When I arrived all the window tables and the sofas were taken and I had to sit at one of the tables near the counter.  Not that that was a bad thing as it gave me chance to examine the menu and the clientele without being too obvious.

Mac 'n' Alli's is part cafe, part gift shop, part community hub.  The menu is simple - they obviously concentrate on doing a few things well rather than lots of things indifferently.  I chose a cup of tea and a slice of Brooklyn black-out cake (no, I hadn't either) and enjoyed every last sugary bit of it at my colourful table, sipping tea from my vintage mis-matched china.  The gift shop bit does wellies, mugs with mottos, cards, fab patchwork upholstered armchairs and boasts its own knitted sign - really! - and vintage and upcycled bits and pieces adorn the walls (all for sale, I think).  Community hub?  Well the mummies use it as the village green, and there's a couple of shelves of paperback books labelled 'book swap' so the recycling idea  is carried on from the gift section.

Would I go back?  I would, and for the gifts as well as the coffee.  It's definitely one to bear in mind for a treat with a friend.  In fact while I was there in walked a friend of a friend and that same friend's cousin.  No excuses from now on!  If her cousin can go there, so can she!