Al Baraka artisan bakery and patissiere. Big Lamp

Technically I guess this is on Elswick Road (opposite the cemetery), but it's on the cusp of the Summerhill area and the Big Lamp junction, on the cusp of being trendy and it deserves to do well.

I'd spotted Al Baraka some time ago but always bottled out of visiting.  Could a woman visit?  Was this a male dominated environment?  Today, however, I decided to throw caution to the wind and have the baklava moment I'd promised myself.  I parked opposite and strode purposefully into the shop.

It's very light and open inside (huge windows) and the paintwork is white with bright, fresh green touches.  The furniture, light pine tables mostly.  All notices are written in Turkish and there is a quotation from the Koran (I assume) over the counter.  I felt slightly embarrassed and unsure of myself but ordered coffee and cake.  One of the men sitting at a table was very helpful in explaining what was in each and also explained the savoury dishes.  He assured me that Turkish cuisine was infinitely superior to that of their near neighbours and I have to say the menu was interesting and intriguing.  I'd definitely go back for the filo pastries and the scone breads with feta and other fillings.  A local called in to buy some to take away - good idea!

I sat and watched the world go by in the rain as I enjoyed my mug of coffee (only £1) and ate my baklava - very sticky but knife and fork and napkin provided!

So, another little jewel in Newcastle's culinary crown shines brightly.  Worth seeking out.

Ciao Ciao, Milburngate, Durham

This one came highly recommended, not least for the sell-off bread, so during my Sunday afternoon mooch round Durham I thought I'd give it a try.

I'd passed Ciao Ciao before but assumed it was a bakery and takeaway, however on closer inspection there are tables with bar stool seating inside.  I have to report that the seat I sat on had a very ripped cushion and as I was wearing an unsuitable dress it wasn't easy to get on and off.  That said, you can people-watch to your heart's content through the big corner windows!

I ordered a coffee, which was a standard latte in a no-frills cardboard cup.  I bought cakes to take away and the macaroons (almond, pistachio) were wonderful.  There were baklava and other delights, but I have baklava plans for somewhere in Newcastle, and I wouldn't have wanted to miss the macaroons anyway.

I did buy some reduced price bread as this week's treat for home.  Foccacio.  Olives involved I think.  Very enjoyable toasted.

The staff member was a cheerful, efficient and friendly girl who,  in the few minutes I was there, dealt with customers from all over the world with unremitting interest and politeness.

Go for the cake, go for the bread, but if you're planning on eating in - wear jeans. 

Chill Out Cafe, Starbeck Road

I've long known that Sandyford is home to several cafes that I've not yet visited. So, when a partner in crime suggested we meet for coffee I thought we could begin to put that right.  We had a plan, I'd even texted her details, but I hadn't banked on the Monday Effect.  Monday Effect?  It seems that all the Italian cafes in the world (well, Sandyford) are closed on a Monday.  Bah! What to do?  Simples! (as I would say if I was a meerkat) we found an Indian instead.

The Chill Out Cafe (www.thechilloutcafe.com) offers authentic Gujarati cuisine but we settled for hot chocolates and settled down to enjoy our surroundings.  The first thing that struck me was how light it was inside.  Two of the walls are virtually all plate glass, giving the cafe a lovely airy feel.  As to decor, there was wooden flooring, beautiful bold wallpaper on the back wall, quietly comfortable chairs and tables, a rather nice sofa with an ornate coffee table - all generously spaced so you don't feel you're on top of each other.  As we chatted at a table, someone was reading the paper sitting on the sofa, and two lads were using laptops at the other side of the room. 

It felt, well, I think bohemian is the word.  There was a good feel to the place, the hot chocolates were great, and you know what I'd go back any day of the week

Vinci's opposite Newcastle Anglican cathedral

I actually did this one on Monday, when it was raining but Newburn had not yet been swept away, nor all transport links out of the north east severed by the storms.  I'd spotted it when driving through the city and made a mental note to visit. 

Vinci's is compact, very much geared to the lunchtime trade and with a bias to savoury rather than sweet.  Nonetheless, I enjoyed drinking my tea (proper cup and teapot!) and munching my kitkat  sitting at the window watching as Newcastle squelched its soggy way past me.  Daytime TV in the cafe was something I hadn't come across before and as a non-TV person I could have done without it, but it wasn't intrusive.

One to visit again?  It's central, it's eat-in, it's reasonably priced...what the heck - add it to the list!

The cafe, Newcastle Central Library

You may think I have been slacking in the cafe crawl as I haven't published anything new for a few days.  I say no!  I have been revisiting and have posted comments on the original entries, and I am planning and scheming to visit new places soon.  It seems there truly is no end to the cafes in Newcastle.

Today, for example, found me in the Central Library with several possible choices for revisits or new places all within a short distance.  What to do?  I decided to stay put and visit the library cafe which though I have walked past many times I have never visited (see what I mean about no end of cafes?)

At lunchtime the place was pleasantly full.  The ambience is clean, uncluttered, businesslike, and it is light and airy.  I ordered tea and cake, and the staff were quick to point out the special offer which would save me a few pence.  Cake and tea were up to standard I'm pleased to report, and  I sat and munched looking out on Princess Square.  Princess Square:  how could we brighten it up?  Guerilla knitting, maybe?  The ramps up to Bewick Court have a distinctly unfinished look to them, as if the bare concrete should be covered over by colourful mosaics or other artwork but the money ran out, or the council didn't get re-elected - oh I don't know! 

Now I must confess why I was looking out instead of people watching down the cafe.  I was in a corner, dear reader, sneakily chomping my own lunch of crackers and cheese.  There, I've said it.  I only managed one cracker before I was overcome by guilt - but at least my library books aren't late.

Cafe 9 Altars, Durham

It was a pleasure to be in Durham on one of my rare Saturdays off.  After participating in a dance celebration of the life of St Cuthbert at the cathedral (that's another story, and possibly another blog!), I made my way down Sadler Street and Silver Street to the little cut that leads to a favourite haunt - Cafe 9 Altars. I haven't visited it for ages and it was pleasing to sit again in the decked area outside and watch the trees and the river while sipping my tea and munching my big ginger biscuit (£1.95 the lot).  Couples sat and talked, people wandered down from the cathedral and along the riverside, even new students were arriving I think.  Durham was bathed in golden sunshine as the season turned to autumn.

There are some things money can't buy, the atmosphere of Durham is one of them.  But if you want an inexpensive way to sit and savour it, Cafe 9 Altars is the way to go for my money.

Newcastle Mela 2012

A great occasion as always! The highlight for me this year was Kashmiri tea!  It was advertised as pink tea and it is bright pink and very sweet - like hot milkshake.  I am hooked!  Fortunately there are numerous recipes online.