A Room With A View

Going out for dinner with family or friends - whether for a special occasion or an overdue catch up – should be just as much about the dining experience as it is about the food. Newcastle city centre is certainly spoilt for choice with bustling bars and restaurants, but when the opportunity arose to attend a private dining event at one of Newcastle and Gateshead’s most highly-regarded restaurants, something told me that this would be an amazing dining experience.

As we stepped out of the lift on the fifth floor and into the gallery’s viewing box, Emily and I were greeted by twinkling fairy lights and a floor-to-ceiling view of the iconic Millennium Bridge, it too, was dressed for dinner with its ever-changing light show shining bright under the dark night sky. By day, the Baltic’s viewing box serves as additional gallery space, but by night, it is effortlessly transformed into an intimate dining area for parties and family gatherings seating up to 25 comfortably.

Taking our pick from an adventurous menu, (and having never had pigeon before) we both chose the cold starter of pigeon and ham hock terrine served with celeriac puree and spiced fig. The sweetness of the fig cut through the rich meatiness of the terrine, adding extra flavour and depth to the dish. For our mains I chose the roast fillet of cod served with boulangerie potatoes, girolles and sweetcorn in a chicken jus while Emily chose the Barbary duck breast with roast nectarine broccoli, violet potatoes and a lavender jus. While we both agreed our mains sounded unusual, we were certainly intrigued. Each dish sounded like a work of art which was entirely fitting considering our surroundings. As expected, both dishes were delicious, although I had to admit to a case of food envy after tasting Emily's duck. The violet, lavender and nectarine flavours added a playful element to the duck, giving this versatile meat an interesting twist. Supper was served with an accompanying red and white wine and my Colombard Ugni Blanc was faultless – its light, crisp taste complemented the lightness of my cod perfectly. I had to take a picture of the label just so I'd remember what it was called for future occasions! 

Pigeon and ham hock terrine with celeriac puree and spiced fig

Roast fillet of cod served with boulangerie potatoes, girolles, sweetcorn and chicken jus

Triple layered brownie cake with peanut butter ice cream

Lemon posset topped with raspberry jelly served with homemade shortbread

As the evening wore on and we chatted to our new neighbours like old friends we soon found ourselves faced with the decision of what to order for dessert. Both self-confessed sweet-tooths, Emily and I decided to share everything and opted for the triple layered brownie cake served with peanut butter ice cream and the lemon posset topped with raspberry jelly and freshly baked shortbread. The silence spread around the room like wildfire as dessert was served, each and every one us taking our time to enjoy what was secretly our most eagerly-anticipated course. Despite not being the biggest fan of ice cream, I must admit I was impressed at the nutty flavour and rich texture of the peanut butter ice cream, while the triple chocolate brownie cake was indeed death by chocolate: rich, creamy and delicious. The lemon posset and raspberry jelly served as an excellent palette cleanser after the decadent chocolate brownie cake and who can resist freshly baked shortbread on any occasion? Certainly not me! Now feeling exceptionally full and very well fed, the group was led upstairs to the SIX restaurant where we sank into plush leather booths and digested dinner over coffee and petit fours and drank in the view. 

As expected, SIX did not disappoint. The menu was inventive, the staff and service exceptional and the view certainly made us feel like we were VIPs, discovering a new side to a city we know and love. The idea to convert precious gallery space into a private dining room offers excellent versatility for fans of SIX and I have little doubt that brides-to-be, birthday girls and party planners will make good use of this intimate space.  

If you've never been to SIX and you're a local, or you're planning to visit Newcastle/Gateshead, I urge you to treat yourself. Admittedly the prices aren't what you'd pay on a regular occasion, but it's always nice to treat yourself or a loved one. Plus they sometimes have offers on, which is a great excuse to try somewhere new. My favourite thing about SIX would definitely have to be the view, I've lived in Newcastle my whole life and as cheesy as it sounds, the birds eye view from SIX takes my breath away every time even though the Tyne is such a familiar view. 

For more information about SIX or their new private dining room, visit www.sixbaltic.com, I have a feeling you won't be disappointed! 

Geordie pride!

Pssst...

A little while ago I heard whisperings of a secret club dedicated to those who share a love of cake. 'I love cake!' I thought, but how do I join this secret society? 

The Clandestine Cake Company is the brainchild of Lynn Hill, an avid baker. Her aim was to create a club where likeminded people could meet once every two months and share their passion, tips and skills, and maybe make a few new friends in the process. What's not to love!? 

The CCC has grown from strength to strength, chances are there'll be a group right near you! The club also recently published a recipe collection to inspire other members and would-be bakers. 

So after skirting the sidelines of this ingenious gang, I plucked up the courage to find a club in Newcastle. For once it seems luck was on my side and organiser Lisa had one space left at this month's meeting! (They fill up very fast).

I was excited, intrigued and terrified all at the same time. Now if you speak to my mother, she'll no doubt be pretty cruel about my baking skills. I might have burnt toast on more than one occasion, and I struggle to make porridge.... but I do like baking! 

Check out my summer berry crumble I knocked up last week: 

Luckily for me, I didn't have the added pressure of baking something this time, I could just go as a guest. This month's theme was 'history' so off I went at 6pm on Monday evening to our secret location (The Knit Studio, Blackfriars, Newcastle). 

I think I was born to be here. 

Predominantly a group of ladies ranging from 20+, everyone wore pretty tea dresses and greeted each other like old friends. Endless rounds of tea were served in dainty china cups and saucers and we chatted as we waited for our group of 15 to form. 

There's no judging at these meetings, basically everyone turns up, bakes a cake and everyone has a slice (or three) of each other's cakes. What. A. Genius. Idea. 

There were some really unique creations such as the 'Kitchen Garden' cake, a concoction of potatoes, apples, orange peel and celery, inspired by the Grow Your Own revolution in the early 50s. There was also a rather charming creation decorated in dinosaur biscuits! 

Turns out there was no reason to be nervous! Everyone was so friendly and the handy name badges we were asked to wear made introducing yourself a lot easier. After a good five slices, (what? you're encouraged to fill your boots...), I have to say the battenburg was my favourite, closely followed by a chai tea loaf. 

Saying my goodbyes and taking a wedge of battenburg home for my grandma, I was asked if i'd be coming to the next meeting....

Guys, I guess this means i'm in the club!  

You can tweet them @clandestinecake, or visit their website www.clandestinecakeclub.co.uk

And I Would Walk 20 Miles....

So, the big day finally arrived. Our party of six arrived at our beautiful starting point in the Cheviots, suited and booted ready for the gruelling 20 mile walk ahead.... 

Now I hasten to add at this point that I had never actually walked 20 miles, so the number felt like just that, an incongruous number that betrayed little about the mammoth task ahead. We would be walking a well-trodden route through the wild and wonderful Cheviots, along the Scottish border. Amongst our group were a few seasoned walkers and a few well meaning novices for good measure. After practising a well-timed emergency stop for Leanne to vomit at the side of the road with travel sickness (nothing to do with my driving ability, I swear) it was safe to say we had all been suitably introduced to each other. 

What on earth possessed us to embark on a 20 mile walk on our sunday I hear you ask, well we were raising money for a local charity who helps disabled children with funding for prosthetic limbs. One adorable little boy had lost both legs due to meningitis, and it reminded me of all those years ago (1996) of when my little brother contracted meningitis at the age of 3 but was incredibly lucky to recover relatively unscathed and with all limbs intact. The charity in question is also a nominated charity of mobile phone network EE where my boyfriend works, so the walk and charity meant something to everyone involved. 

As I breezily agreed to participate in this walk, I have now come to learn just how difficult walking 20 miles and 13 hours of constant cardio is. Fortunately, an exceptionally gruelling (yet strangely fun) walk in the Lake District with a few friends had prepared me somewhat for what lay ahead and I'm pleased to say the first 10 miles was fine. It wasn't until the rain poured making the ground boggy and hard to manouevre that things got difficult. Trudging through bog and pulling your soaked boot out for three ours started to take its toll. My blisters grew blisters and I'd ran out of replacement dry socks (rookie error). Poor Leanne had only brought trendy nike trainers so had practically developed trench foot at this point and my heroic boyfriend carried her across most of the bog.... I 'manned up' and pushed on of course. 

Despite the stormy weather and wet feet, the view was incredible. I love being outdoors and to be in the thick of it surrounded by nothing but fresh air and rolling hills, actually using my feet to get around instead of a car was exhilarating. I had a big smile on my face the whole time! I never thought I'd like walking (maybe not in my early twenties anyway) but I can see why people get addicted! I loved setting myself a challenge and overcoming pain or a particularly hard climb and fighting my way up the next bit (aided by a big bag of jelly babies of course). 

It was fantastic being able to get to know new people and talk about everything and anything. Suddenly these people are no longer strangers, but your best friends. You help each other up the side of the mountain, pick out the best route for them to follow or give them a helping hand over a gate. 

Around 16 miles in my feet really started to hurt. I was conscious of every step and my blisters showed no sign of bursting. I was also getting pretty sick of having to find a suitably shades spot to go to the toilet in! Nevertheless I knew there was nothing I could do but put my foot forward and carry on. Leanne was hilarious and both in considerable amounts of pain and absolute novice walkers we quite literally crawled to the finish line, arm in arm. The walk had taken just over 12 hours but I honestly can't tell you how fantastic it was. It was painful and pleasurable in equal measures and every time I went to whinge about my sore feet I reminded myself that the people we were doing this for would have given anything to be in my shoes (well, maybe not my sweaty wet walking boots but you know what I mean). 

After a well-deserved rest we got back in our cars and drove to a fantastic pub near Rothbury called The Anglers Arms for a strong drink and huge plate of home cooked food! Pulling up at the last drop off I felt sad saying goodbye to my new friends but as cheesy as it sounds, we shared an unforgettable experience together and I can't wait to do my next challege! Walking is one of the best ways to really experience our incredible countryside and for a city girl who dreams of open fields and a big old farmhouse, how can I resist?!