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!

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!