• Added: 29th of August 2008
• Area: Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Category: Food and Drink

Newcastle Upon Tyne NE11 9YG
0191 460 0084

cyberem78 said
Sweet Smelling
Millies Cookies has little booths in a couple of places around Newcastle, in Eldon squre and here in this smaller mini-mall. The smell of the cookies permeates the air throughout the building and makes a visit to the shop almost irresistable!
The cookies themselves are very nice, appropriately moist and sweet. There is a good choice available. You can also get giant cookies made up with iced messages written on them. This leads me into talking about what I hate about Millies: they always have a display of their giant cookies but they mustn't change the display very often so the cookies are always dusty and old-looking. They look anything but eadible. It really puts me off buying sometimes!
You can also get milkshakes here but they are actually just whizzed-up icecream with a straw! I got a chocolate mint drink lately and it had hard lumps in it, which isn't really a drink at all! Kids love it but they are pretty expensive but perhaps worth it for a special treat.

• Added: 29th of August 2008
• Area: Morpeth
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Morpeth NE61 1PE

cyberem78 said
Well Known in Morpeth
The Black Bull is a well known pub in Morpeth. It has a dead central location in town and therefore is quite popular.
It is an old tavern style building in keeping with the market town so it has a historical looking facade, with wooden beams and tainted glass, which is quite dark. There is a porch-like overhang and cobblestone alley leading to the back garden area. You can not guess what the pub might be like inside until you actually enter.
The interior is clean and impressive. It is quite roomy with medium sized tables. There is a big drive toward entertainment with an area of the pub sporting a pool table and Sky sports television screens for match days.
They serve drinks and bar meals here. The menu is large, with the choice available quite impressive. The value of the food is great, with the prices remaining cheap for the high standard. The desserts are great and there are often meal deals available.
The pub often hosts fun events like karaoke and live music. It is a very popular place whose standards are high.

• Added: 29th of August 2008
• Area: Blyth
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Blyth NE24 1SF

cyberem78 said
Quiet Seafront Pub
The Buccaneer has been around for many years now. It is situated in strange place in Cambois, not particularly near anything except the beach. In darkness it looks like an old inn shining out onto the sea. Profiting from it's unusual location the pub has taken on an apt name and used a sea theme to decorate the interior. Done out with props like ships compasses, sailing wheels, ropes and anchors, this decor is so well done and very interesting to look at. Children will particularly love the novelty of it all - my family certainly does, loving to hear what this thing is and what that thing does as if it is all a romantic seafaring tale!
The pub is a very well managed place with friendly, casual staff who are quick to serve. It is always clean and tidy and has the same luxurious feel that new pubs seem to have. Meals available too. These are typical English pub meals, cokoed well, reasonably priced and very tasty. I enjoy coming here with family as it is nice to be able to watch the sea after visiting.

• Added: 29th of August 2008
• Area: Blyth
• Category: Food and Drink

Blyth NE24 1BQ
01670 355200

cyberem78 said
Market Day Chips
The Market Chippy is a small shop on the corner of Blyth market. It has an indoor seating area with approximately ten or so small tables. There is not much room to move though. You can buy chips to take out too. There is a small serving booth at the side of the building where you can queue for icecream or slush drinks also.
The portions of chips are smallish, put into small flat cartons to eat. They are always well cooked though. Meat products like fish and sausages are great tasting too, and are always well-done. The drinks served are basic, pop in cans or coffee indoors. The slush drinks, in green or red colours, are actually awful, very bitter and old tasting and I consider myself to be a slush expert, so avoid them!
The market area is currently being developed and improved. The Market Chippy is always very popular all days but particularly on market days. People run out of places to sit and eat their chips outside so end up sitting on the church wall opposite the shop. The shop feels very English and in the nicest possible way, common. I am sure it will continue to remain popular despite the up-market direction the town is hoping to take.

• Added: 29th of August 2008
• Area: Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Category: Restaurants

Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 5TG
0191 2618676

cyberem78 said
TGI Anyday!
I was always put off going to TGI Fridays for a long time simply because it sounded like the kind of place frequented by and run by loud, spotty students. I thought it might be a bit too trendy for me, actually!
This branch is plum in the middle of a lot of other big restaurant brand names which are very popular. It is on street level though, and very easy to get to so I managed to visit recently during the school holidays when my other favourite places were full.
I was pleasantly surprised by the menu and the atmosphere!
The menu seems to have a sort of Southern USA feel to it, a bit similar to Old Orleans, I thought. The servings were plentiful and fresh looking. The taste was just right. The staff are youngish, but very talented and pleasant.
Far from being a joint for student drinker types this is definately a place to bring kids and family. They have an excellent dessert menu and it feels fun and happy inside. The prices are a little high, when you can get as much food elsewhere for less, but it is served in such a way you feel the price is justified.
I would go again for a treat!

• Added: 28th of August 2008
• Area: Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Category: Events and Entertainment

Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 6BR
0870 905 5060

cyberem78 said
Beautiful Theatre
The Theatre Royal is the first choice for drama acts performing in Newcastle. They host performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company, have a yearly pantomime boasting big name stars and have various plays and events here throughout the year.
Talking of the building alone, this is a grand old theatre situated on one of the oldest streets in Britain. It is very romantic and atmospheric inside. With any typical theatre, it has four levels: stalls, grand, royal circle and gallery. All levels provide a good viewing but grand is probably the best choice.
The furnishings are in great condition, putting other theatres in the area to shame. The staff are very well mannered and in keeping with the upper class feeling going to the theatre provides.
The standard of performances shown here is very high. The RSC have a great reputation here. They provide tickets for 16-25 year olds for £10, with prices varying for other people. Performances are often accompanied by educational or inspirational workshops. There is a club for older members, Limelight, which provides a great day out for retired people. The box office beside the theatre provides last minute tickets at a cheaper price half and hour before the performances begin.
Pantomime prices are amazing prices, from £5 last year and a stellar cast!

• Added: 28th of August 2008
• Area: Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Category: Events and Entertainment

Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 5TG
0871 224 4007

cyberem78 said
Empire, Newcastle.
This has been an Empire cinema for some time, situated at the top floor of the mini-restaurant complex The Gate.
It is much larger and more accessable than the old Odeon which it replaced, having glass lifts up to the entrance.
There are self-service ticket machines located just near the entrance although most people queue at the counter.
A small shop is opposite the counter, serving the usual cinema munchies: popcorn sweet or salted, pick and mix jelly candy, cold drinks and chocolates. You can only get a few brand names in chocolate now: M and M's or Maltesers. This is a dissapointing selection when the old Odeon used to have their own brand here for a cheaper, tastier option.
Despite being opposite a large shopping complex (currently under development) and being amidst a dozen or so restaurants this cinema is frequently very empty. The most people I have attended a screening with is approximately 15! It seems to me they have more screens than they need but they seem to be doing big business, showing all the big box office hits. No smaller film shows here though, try the Tyneside Cinema for more unusual tastes.
Staff are young but skilled and it's a fun place to go - the first choice of cinema in Newcastle centre.

• Added: 28th of August 2008
• Area: Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Category: Restaurants

Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 8JF
0191 2614328

cyberem78 said
Italian By Numbers
I am a frequent visitor to Frankie and Benny's in Newcastle, going to this branch a little less frequently than the brnach at the Gate, which is in a far better location near the cinema. This branch feels a little smaller and less private inside, with big glass windows overlooking a busy street.
This restaurant chain is classically Italian in flavour, playing non stop 1960's easy listening style songs, lots of Sinatra too, as you eat. the decor is done very well, with murals depicting the history of the restaurant's owners.
The menu is typical Italian with a personal edge, dishes like 'Mama's cheese bake' and 'New York cheesecake' spring to mind. It is done in an attempt to transport you into a different time and place.
The food is always tasty and wholesome. Pizzas have a fresh vegetable base, no fake cheese or pizza sauce here. Dishes are always well cooked and done to personal specification.
This branch always provides less in portion to the one at the Gate, for some reason, but this is my only complaint.
The staff here are friendly, student hip-hop types who are quick to serve, happy and talkative. Great menu for kids and adults alike. Prices are reasonable but a little higher than similar pizza outlets, but worth it for the environment you eat in.

• Added: 28th of August 2008
• Area: Morpeth
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Morpeth NE61 1PJ

cyberem78 said
Delicate Cafe
Morpeth has undergone a big transformation recently, inviting big business like Costa Coffee and Subway to town to supposedly revitalise the area. What really makes this market town special, though, is places like the Chantry Tea Room.
This is a little cafe tucked away in the cobblestone streets of old Morpeth. It is a delicate, old fashioned style cafe which has lost it's younger crowd to the faster, trendier Costa Coffees of the area.
Serving teas, coffees, cold drinks, pastries and sweet products, this is a lovely place to take a breather whilst shopping in town. The staff here are gentle and attentive to customer needs. The seating area is comfortable and not too crowded or hectic. The prices are very reasonable and the choice of foods avaiable is adequate, with a slant toward serving traditional tea room style products. The older customer will definately not be dissapointed and the younger crowd might be able to appreciate the fine, unique home-baked taste and customer service with heart.

• Added: 28th of August 2008
• Area: Bedlington
• Category: Restaurants

Bedlington NE22 5DN

cyberem78 said
Authentic Italian
Verdi's is an authentic Italian restaurant and pizza take away shop. It is a small place but very atmospheric inside with small, intimate settings, candles and dark materials to create a romantic, European ambience.
The staff here are very intimate with customers and like to create a lasting relationship so they wil return. The food alone, however, would be enough of a draw to come back here.
The menu has much choice of delicacies to eat in and on the take-away menu: the pizzas are large sized and moist based with thick tomato toppings and can be custom made if required. All pizza products can be served with roast potatoes to go. The quality of these varies but on the whole they are well cooked and certainly plentiful for one serving. They are only ever occaisonally over-cooked.
The staff here have been very generous to me in the past, often giving freebies if it is a special occaison or if the owner is in a good mood. This makes a visit here very special and I would tell all my friends to go here at least once.