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Top Places to Eat Out in Alicante, Spain

November 5, 2021 by cheriecity

It’s hard to pick a favourite thing about a holiday in Spain, but for me it has to be the food – whether it’s sizzling gambas at a tiny tapas bar, an enormous pan of paella to share or an indulgent torrija.

On our recent Jet2 Alicante holiday, we tried so many typical Spanish dishes (particularly from the Valencia region) and reignited our passion for croquetas, somehow ordering them at almost every place we visited!

This vibrant city on the beautiful Costa Blanca is a real foodie destination, where you can immerse yourself in Spain’s gastronomic culture and enjoy the time-honoured tradition of leisurely evening drinks and tapas.

Here are some top places to eat out when visiting Alicante…

La Taberna del Gourmet

La Taberna del Gourmet, a contemporary gastrobar and delicatessen just behind the promenade, boasts a Michelin Plate, awarded for excellent food at a reasonable price.

It’s a more casual offering from María José San Román (the chef-owner of one Michelin-starred restaurant Monastrell) and her daughter Geni Perramón where you can find all of the classics with a bit of flair.

For lunch, we enjoyed the most delicious Cod fritters, Jamon croquetas, Fried cheese with tomato jam, Artichoke heart with romesco sauce, San Fernando fried eggs with potatoes and Iberian ham and the biggest plate of Padron peppers.

It’s also worth saving room for the most heavenly traditional Torrija with mantecado ice cream, served quite amusingly in a big ceramic dairy cow!

Alma de Barra

Alma de Barra is a stylish, modern restaurant in a good spot in the city centre to enjoy traditional Spanish dishes with a contemporary twist. We sat outside and grazed on some hot, molten Jamon croquetas and fresh Queen scallops in their shells with garlic, parsley and olive oil.

We also took the opportunity to try a typical Valencian fideuà – a close cousin of paella made with short pasta noodles instead of rice. It was hearty and moreish with caramelised foie fillets and chunks of calamari and the boletus gave it a rich, earthy flavour.

Jimmy Churri

Jimmy Churri is a popular take-out shop on Calle San Francisco, dedicated to authentic Argentinian empanadas. Flavours range from classic spicy beef, chorizo and cheese to Roquefort, Carbonara and Nutella and you can order just one or go for a pack of 3 or 6 with a choice of salsa.

The empanadas were light, crispy and generously filled – we loved the hot and spicy chicken, slow-cooked beef and pork cheek and bechamel.

Da Ciro Pizzeria

If you’re in the mood for a speedy yet memorable pizza, grab a table at the lively Da Ciro Pizzeria on Calle San Francisco. It’s a little corner of southern Italy in Alicante offering authentic Neapolitan pizza, calzone and antipasti.

The pizza is excellent with a chewy, slightly charred dough and high quality toppings – I recommend keeping it simple to let the ingredients shine through, as is done in Naples.

Bar Manero

If you’re looking for a high-end tapas bar with lots of charm for a special meal out, book a table at Bar Manero. Just a few doors down from its glitzy sister restaurant El Portal, Manero has a bit of a Wes Anderson vibe and feels like stepping into a different era.

We enjoyed a feast of epicurian delights including a decadent Lobster and king crab roll, Truffled Spanish tortilla, Oxtail croquetas, Meatballs and Patatas Bravas with spicy tomato sauce and aioli.

As a luxury delicatessen, Manero also produces it own provisions, so you can pick up a bottle of olive oil, beautifully-packaged turron or champagne to take home.

Enso Sushi

Enso Sushi, an upscale Japanese restaurant on Plaza Gabriel Miró, is one of the most highly rated in Alicante and we were fortunate to score a walk-in table for lunch when we had a sushi craving and wanted to break the croqueta cycle. We were welcomed with a Sake Sour aperitif and a mushroom and tobiko amuse-bouche and our dishes arrived one by one with ceremony.

We grazed on flavourful Gyoza, Fried prawn, salmon and avocado uramaki, Soft shell crab futomaki and Prawn hosomaki. Everything was so fresh and tasty with harmonious flavours – just what we wanted for a light lunch.

Enso can easily become pricey, especially if you’re really hungry, but the quality of the ingredients and the service are exceptional.

Fondillón

One of our most relaxed, enjoyable dinners in Alicante was at Fondillón, the restaurant and bar at the five star Hospes Amerigo. We dined in the Pasaje de Amérigo courtyard over 10 years ago when it used to be Monastrell restaurant, so it was lovely to return and sit at the same table.

The menu offers lots of options, as you can choose dishes from the fine dining restaurant as well as the tapas bar. We started with some fantastic little bites – Carrot and date croquetas, Crispy prawn with sweet chilli sauce and Crispy chicken with sesame and a moreish curry sauce.

For our main courses, we had a sumptuous, sizzling hot Paella with Iberian pork and vegetables and a rich, tender Lacquered lamb timbale with shallot confit and celeriac. Both dishes were exceptionally good and very generously sized – so much that we almost couldn’t find room for dessert.

Of course, it would have been a shame to miss out on a delicate Millefeuille with almond nougat and the most delicious Rum savarin with macadamia nut ice cream.

Heladería Borgonesse

Many of our nights in Alicante ended with picking up an ice cream at Heladeria Borgonesse for a stroll on the promenade and it’s now become one of my favourite ice cream shops ever.

The artisanal ice cream is velvety smooth and made with top quality ingredients and the variety of flavours makes it hard to choose. I recommend going for traditional dessert flavours like the heavenly flan with caramel, panettone, turrón or a luscious mango sorbet.

Santagloria Coffee & Bakery

This stylish cafe overlooking the leafy Plaza Portal de Elche is part of a well-known Spanish coffee chain, established in 1963, and is a popular spot for breakfast on the terrace.

We ordered some cakes for a little afternoon tea on our balcony and they were just exquisite and so decadent.

Salt in Cake

Salt in Cake, a petite bakery on Calle San Francisco, is said to make the best cookies in Alicante and I definitely wouldn’t argue with that!

The iced cinnamon buns in the window will tempt you in – and they are absolutely delicious – but the star of the show was the dark chocolate and sea salt cookie with a molten centre. I really wish we’d brought a whole box home for later.

Have you visited Alicante on holiday? Where are your favourite places to eat?

Chérie City was a guest of Jet2holidays, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.

All photos by Chérie City

Alicante, Beach

A Jet2 City and Beach Break in Alicante

November 3, 2021 by cheriecity

Spain is one of my favourite holiday destinations, so after a few cancelled trips due to travel restrictions, I hadn’t expected my 2021 to include any kind of beach vibes. It was, therefore, an absolute joy to return after so long for a wonderful Jet2CityBreaks Alicante long weekend.

I’ve previously travelled to Spain on a Jet2 flight, but this time I was excited to try the full city break package where accommodation is included and the entire trip is ATOL protected. There was also a great selection of Jet2 flights from Newcastle Airport, so we were able to perfectly tailor the flight dates for our trip.

Another highlight of choosing a Jet2holidays Winter Sun package was the very generous luggage allowance – one checked 22kg bag and one 10kg piece of hand baggage each. We didn’t use quite that much, but it was a refreshing luxury to have the freedom to pack without sacrificing those extra creams, outfits or shoes!

The Flight

The was our first international flight following lock-down and we planned all of our documentation with military precision. We arrived at Newcastle Airport for our early 6am flight and managed to check in our luggage and zoom through security in around 15 minutes with no queues or stress.

Throughout our trip, Jet2 made everything easy and painless and I was impressed with the efficiency of both airports, especially with the additional documents now required. No delays, a slightly early arrival time into Alicante and the lovely, smiling staff definitely made the onboard experience sweeter!

I also downloaded the Jet2holidays app prior to travelling and I found the push notifications and the functional lay-out really helpful when checking that we had all the information that we needed.

The Hotel

Our home for four nights was the excellent four-star Jet2holidays Hotel Spa Porta Maris by Melia. Its location couldn’t be any better with the lively Postiguet Beach on one side and the Port of Alicante on the other.

It’s also just 100 metres from the historic old town and right next to a tram stop if you want to take a ride along the Costa Blanca.

Our Premium Sea View Room was very spacious and modern and we quickly felt at home there. The king-size bed was absolutely heavenly (I always sleep so well in Melia beds) and we also appreciated the large flatscreen smart TV, tea and coffee facilities and balcony with a fabulous view over the beach.

In fact, all guest rooms have a balcony with views of either the beach or the marina, so you can make the most of the balmy weather.

A big highlight of the hotel is the lovely outdoor swimming pool and sundeck with stunning views over the beach. For the ultimate relaxation, you can book in to the hotel’s new Spa Experience with different sensory spaces featuring a hot water pool, plunge pool and ice fountain.

Starting the morning is a big affair with a full buffet served in a bright breakfast room with plenty of sunlight and endless views of the sea. The generous and varied buffet includes hot dishes for a typical full English or Spanish breakfast with tortilla and chorizo, waffles and mini pastries, sliced fruit, cereal and yoghurt. There’s also freshly-squeezed Valencian orange juice and a Nespresso machine for a proper caffeine fix.

We previously visited Alicante over 10 years ago, so we found our way around again very quickly and spent our time rediscovering familiar spots and also venturing further into the city.

Here are some of our favourite things to do in Alicante…

Stroll along the Explanada de España promenade

The very first thing to do when arriving in Alicante should be a stroll along the famous palm tree-lined promenade to get into the holiday mood. This vibrant walkway runs parallel to the port, from Plaza Puerta del Mar to the Parque de Canalejas, and boasts a highly-Instagrammable Mediterranean wave pattern made using six and half million mosaic tiles.

Order an iced coffee at one of the terrace cafes and watch the world go by while making lunch plans – it’s the best way to get acclimatised.

Explore Barrio Santa Cruz

The prettiest part of Alicante has to be its historic Santa Cruz neighbourhood with colourful houses nestled on the hillside at the foot of Mount Benacantil next to Santa Bárbara Castle. Climb the winding staircase on Calle San Antonio for a glimpse of this charming quarter and you’ll be rewarded with some panoramic views of over the city and some postcard perfect photos.

These well-maintained, shining white houses are covered in beautiful ceramic tiles and friezes and many feature the name of the family living inside (look out for La Casita de Loli with its own hashtag). Visit during Holy Week and you can watch spectacular processions make their way down the hillside from the Santa Cruz Hermitage.

Discover Spanish art at Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art (MACA)

This stunning contemporary art museums is one of the best I’ve visited in a long time and is an absolute must when visiting Alicante. Founded in 1976 by Spanish artist Eusebio Sempere, this beautifully minimalist space, housed in the oldest civic building in the city, exhibits 20th century and contemporary works by Spanish artists.

Its three permanent collections feature over 800 works by artists including Joan Miró Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Alicante-born Juana Francés, shown across three floors. You can also view the Eusebio Sempere collection of sculptures and gouaches on paper, which has belonged to the city of Alicante since 1997.

We absolutely loved this gallery and highly recommend leaving plenty of time to fully explore all of the floors (especially as it’s open for a half-day on Sundays).

Take the tram to Playa Muchavista

On our first trip to Alicante we discovered the most idyllic beach with powder white sand, shimmering turquoise waters and a surprising sense of tranquility from the distinct lack of tourists. We made it our mission to find this mythical beach again, estimating when we should jump off the tram and luckily we were successful.

Playa Muchavista feels a million miles away from Alicante’s buzzing Postiguet city beach yet it’s simply a pleasant 15-minute ride on the modern, air-conditioned tram (we got off at the Salesians stop).

On this part of the beach, where mostly locals go, there isn’t much of a beach scene, so don’t expect many sunbeds, beach bars or loud music. Just bring your beach towel, grab some ice cold drinks and snacks from the mini market over the road and enjoy some uninterrupted chill time at the beach.

Walk along Mushroom Street

When you reach the pedestrianised Calle San Francisco, you will tumble down the rabbit hole into a wonderland dotted with friendly giant toadstools (each with a different expression).

This busy street in the heart of Alicante was transformed into ‘mushroom street’ in 2013 and has since become a viral sensation.

More than just a photo opp, Calle San Francisco has some fantastic tapas bars, bakeries and shops. At the end of the street, you’ll find the leafy Plaza Calvo Sotelo which houses the enormous El Corte Inglés department store and food hall and my favourite Spanish boutique, Uterqüe.

Find Spanish delicacies at the Mercado Central

The lively Mercat district is where you’ll get a glimpse of everyday life in Alicante, as locals spend their lunchtimes in the local cafes and pick up groceries at the Mercado Central. This historic Art Deco building dates back to the 1920s and you can find everything from artisan meats, fresh fruit and vegetables, clothes, arts, handicrafts and flowers.

You can also dine inside and enjoy gourmet market fresh tapas with a glass of wine, perched on the high stools among the stalls.

Eat traditional Valencian cuisine

Alicante is located in the Valencia region of Spain, so you can expect to find local specialities such as seafood paella, arròs a banda, fideuà, buñuelos, red prawns from Dénia, horchata and turrón.

Fideua in a black cast iron pan on a table

Another regular on the menus of Alicante’s many tapas bars and restaurants is the traditional croqueta, which we sampled at almost every meal, with all sorts of fillings. For some foodie geek fun, why not make your own croqueta contest and grade each restaurant’s efforts!

I have a lot to say about this city’s magnificent food scene, so take a look at my guide to the top places to eat out in Alicante from this trip.

Visit the Santa Bárbara Castle

The jewel of Alicante is the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, a magnificent fortification towering over the city from the top of Mount Benacantil. It dates back to the 9th century and has been conquered and recaptured by various forces throughout its illustrious history (it was once even a prison).

The easiest way to see the castle is by taking the lift from the beach through the inside of the mountain, however this clever transport hack was closed during our visit. To make the journey a little easier, take the tram to Mercat and join the hiking trail from a higher point.

My trip to Alicante was absolutely magical and it was great to experience this destination in October with a more relaxed pace and perfect weather in the high twenties.

I was so impressed with the entire Jet2 experience that I’ve booked to fly to Copenhagen with them at the end of the month. If you’re in the mood for some glorious sun, sea and delicious food to get you through the colder months, I highly recommend a Jet2holidays winter city and beach break in Alicante (it’s much closer than the Caribbean, after all).

Chérie City was a guest of Jet2holidays, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.

All photos by Cherie City

Brunch, Newcastle

A Wonderful Brunch at BURDS Jesmond

October 19, 2021 by cheriecity

Jesmond has another fabulous place to eat out with the recent arrival of BURDS, a stylish all-day cafe and coffee shop on Burdon Terrace.

This cosy neighbourhood gem is in a peaceful part of Newcastle’s leafy suburb, nestled in the Grade II listed Gatehouse of the Fleming building, close to nearby schools and universities. It has a spacious patio terrace for outdoor dining in the warmer months and dogs are also welcome.

Owner Sarah Tod, formerly an art curator and assistant manager of Castle Fine Art Gallery, has added a creative touch to the recently renovated space with gorgeous interiors and attention to small details.

The tempting all-day brunch menu comes courtesy of chef Ross Sinclair, previously at Kith & Kin in Whitley Bay, and ingredients are sourced from the best local producers. You can enjoy classics like Eggs Benny, Nduja baked eggs and Buttermilk fried chicken brioche – all with a bit of a twist.

We visited for brunch, catching the last of the summer sun on the terrace, and ordered a delicious Pink Lane iced latte and a pot of Earl Grey made with Estate Tea Co. loose-leaf tea. It wasn’t long before our food arrived and it was pretty epic!

I couldn’t resist The Muff – a towering, Insta-worthy version of the famous McMuffin but made with top quality meat from Charlotte’s Butchery in Gosforth. The fluffy, toasted English muffin was packed with a succulent, herby homemade pork patty, thick and crispy bacon, a golden hash brown, a perfectly fried egg, lots of gooey American cheese & ketchup.

Another hit was the Grilled cheese with Charlotte’s Butchery ham cooked in cherry cola. The thick-cut slices of sourdough bread were fried in butter until golden and packed with generous chunks of sweet, juicy ham and a tasty blend of creamy, gooey cheeses.

grilled cheese sandwich and breakfast muffin on a table

Both dishes were absolutely scrumptious and ever so indulgent. We were left with no room at all for dessert, but if you can manage it, the counter is filled with baked goods from Pet Lamb Patisserie and Cake Stories.

BURDS is a brilliant new addition to Jesmond and clearly a lot of thought has been put into the experience, from the colourful pottery plates and gold cutlery to the well-crafted menu and focus on local produce. I’ll definitely be returning for burger night and to try some of the new autumn dishes.

BURDS is currently offering 50% off food and drink on north east-based social media app, Snapsaver.

All images by Chérie City

Food, Newcastle

The Best Street Food in Newcastle

September 20, 2021 by cheriecity

Newcastle has been named one of the best UK cities for street food and it’s only getting bigger and bolder with new vendors constantly popping up.

Along with the usual gourmet burgers and loaded fries, it’s easy to find exceptional dishes from around the world like bubbling Alpine raclette, hearty Armenian chicken khorovats, juicy tacos al pastor, aromatic rendang curry, toasted cubanos and fiery jerk chicken.

Such diverse cuisines can be found at the region’s indoor and outdoor food markets, including St James’ STACK and the historic Grainger Market in the city centre, Jesmond and the Quayside weekend markets and the buzzing HWKRLAND at By The River Brew Co. in Gateshead.

Here are some top places for delicious street food in Newcastle…

Square Pizza

The Detroit deep square pizza trend has made its way to Newcastle at Square, a slice house and take-away counter on Market Street (recently catching the attention of food critic Marina O’Loughlin).

Detroit-style pizza has its own unique character with a completely different set of rules. 48-hour dough is cooked in blue steel pans with the toppings baked in and finally finished with a rich, herb-infused red sauce. This makes the base golden and crisp yet springy inside with caramelised cheese edges and lets the sauce come through.

Square keeps it authentic with classics like the Red top with basil oil, whipped ricotta and chilli flakes and the sweet and spicy Pep talk with double pepperoni, burrata, chilli flakes and hot honey, but also goes wild with inventive American-inspired pies topped with fried chicken, mac and cheese and ranch.

Then there’s the collaboration with Lola Jeans next door, capturing the magic of their award-winning burgers on a pizza pie with bold topping like bacon Frazzles, shoestring onions, baconnaise and Lola’s burger sauce.

You can book a spot at Square’s terrazzo counter to enjoy a slice or two with a craft beer or order a full pie (for 2-3 people) to devour at home, which I highly recommend for a weekend movie night treat.

Kolamba

Sri Lankan food is big right now in Newcastle and Kolamba is leading the way, serving authentic dishes from its colourful food truck. Choose from fried rice with curry, scrambled eggs and veggies, traditional kottu (shredded roti with curry), grilled marinated meat roti wraps or loaded Kolamba fries.

The grilled beef with onion and bell pepper, special sauce and Kolamba fries stuffed into a naan roti is packed full of smoky flavour and extremely tasty. I need to know what goes into that spicy special sauce!

You can find Kolamba at food markets across the north east, including the Quayside Market on Sundays.

Redheads Mac n Cheese

What could be better on a chilly day than an enormous pot of rich, gooey mac and cheese? Redheads Mac n Cheese offers the ultimate comfort food with lots of interesting flavours like Philly cheesesteak, Korean spiced beef, sticky rib, chorizo and truffle. I tend to keep it simple and usually go for the Original with garlic breadcrumbs and Parmesan.

Portion sizes are huge and often overflowing and everything is high quality and delicious. Redheads has a permanent outlet at the Grainger Market and can be found at the Quayside Market and various street food events across the north east. You can even order a mac and cheese to pop in the oven at home, delivered every Friday within a 10-mile radius of NE1.

Goodtimes Tacos

Authentic Mexican food is becoming much easier to find in Newcastle and Goodtimes Tacos are serving up some of the best tacos in the city.

Goodtimes can be found at By The River Brew Co on weekends and at The Collingwood Arms in Jesmond for Taco Tuesdays, as well as food events across the north east in their shiny black taco van.

Everything is top quality with slow-cooked meat sourced from Charlotte’s Butchery, sustainably caught fish, fresh herbs and punchy home-made sauces.

We absolutely loved the vibrant, tangy Carnitas – three soft corn tortillas topped with juicy pork belly, salsa verde, Yucatan pink onions and salsa picante. Even more indulgent are the Birria tacos with Jalisco shredded beef shin and oxtail, melted cheese, smoky chipotle bbq, white onion, coriander and a pot of rich, meaty cooking liquor for dipping.

Cubanos

Cubanos brings some Havana heat to Newcastle with the tastiest pressed sandwiches in town. This wildly successful street food business always has a queue at the Quayside Market and they now have a cute, colourful cantina inside the Grainger Market.

The pressed sandwiches are absolute flavour bombs filled with spicy meat, melted cheese, fresh herbs and tangy hot sauces and salsas. My favourite is the Medianoche – slow-cooked and shredded grass-fed beef, cheese, pickled pink onions, chargrilled peppers, feta creme, coriander, Caribbean peach hot sauce and jalapeno cream cheese sauce.

Or, go gluten-free with a Cubanos Bowl loaded with your choice of meat or beans, saffron rice, salted tortilla chips and all of the fixings. Authentic empanadas are also freshly-baked in the morning, but you have to be quick to grab one!

Dabbawal

Dabbawal was a pioneer of the now hyped Indian street food concept in the UK, opening its first urban kitchen on High Bridge Street in 2008 (two years before Dishoom). The family-run group now has a second location in Jesmond and a spot at HWKRLAND food market, just over the river from upscale sister restaurant Khai Khai.

It’s all about the spicy, barbecue-grilled meats, which you can enjoy packed into in a freshly-baked roomali roti wrap or as a burger. To try a bit of everything, I recommend the insanely delicious smoke tray with Punjabi chicken tikka, lamb seekh kebab, gunpowder chips, makhani sauce, salad and roomali roti.

The Little Dumpling House

One of my favourite finds for authentic Chinese street food is The Little Dumpling House, a modern canteen on Ridley Place in the centre of Newcastle.

It’s known for its home-made steamed dumplings, served piping hot from the open kitchen in bamboo steaming baskets. The dumpling are always nicely-sized and generously filled with well-seasoned lamb and carrot, beef and onion and seasonal pumpkin and sweetcorn.

Another hit is the enormous, fluffy stuffed bao zi, packed with succulent pork and Chinese leaf and tasty broth. It’s also hard to resist the pillowy Chinese burger and the Chinese wrap with chicken and black bean sauce, fried shredded potato and carrot is ideal if you’re on the go.

FED’s Fried Chicken

FED’s Fried Chicken is known to be the best in town and once you’ve tried it, KFC will be a distant memory. It’s the sibling of beloved burger spot Meat:Stack, so you can expect the same attention to quality and sourcing.

FED’s only uses higher welfare chicken from Soanes family poultry farm in the Yorkshire Wolds. The secret to making the chicken tender yet crisp is brining it in sweet tea and dredging in a blend of fine spices, finished with natural, house-made sauces.

Choose from crunchy tenders and wings or go large with a fried chicken sandwich. My favourite is the High-Rise – FED’s sticky BBQ, hash brown, American cheese, crispy onions and pickles in a steam hot bun. Add some delicious skin-on fries (big enough to share) and don’t miss out on the moreish Southern-style sausage gravy.

The FED’s counter at the Grainger Market is a vibe – grab a seat there for freshly-cooked chicken, served with some tunes and top craic from the friendly guys in the kitchen. They also have a residency at Louie’s Liquor Store nearby in the Bigg Market.

I Scream For Pizza

I Scream For Pizza, a cool New York-style pizza slice and soft serve ice cream shop, has just opened on the Quayside. Founded by the clever duo behind Sandyford’s OG Scream For Pizza, it offers something a little different to their famed authentic Neapolitan pizza.

Alex Walker and Vicky Featherby have spent the summer testing new pizza recipes and sampling a lot of soft serve (documenting their adventures on Instagram) to make sure theirs is just right and the results are fantastic.

Pizza is served by the slice or the full 20″ pie with six to choose from, including the piquant Bushwick Sting with pepperoni, green chillies, chilli honey and basil, the smoky Texas Flyer with Texan BBQ sauce, brisket, red onion, green peppers, bread and butter pickles and the vegan Truffle in Paradise with vegan truffle cream, mushrooms, caramelised fennel and toasted pumpkin seeds.

Leaving room for a soft serve ‘Screamie’ is essential, as they are insanely good! My favourite is the indulgent I Love S’more with fior di latte and chocolate soft serve, cracker biscuit chocolate brownie and chocolate ganache, topped with a toasted marshmallow.

Knead & Favør

For an epic deli sandwich, head to Knead & Favør Café at By The River on Gateshead Quay. A lot of care goes into these enormous, seasonal sandwiches with freshly-baked bread, quality local ingredients and self-grown herbs and salads from the Träkol kitchen garden.

Go for the super indulgent Los Pollos Hermanos with crispy fried chicken, hash brown, pickles (I swapped them for red peppers), lettuce and chilli honey mayo all packed into golden, springy focaccia. Another winner is the New York classic Bronx chopped cheese with chopped beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles and K&F sauce.

You can enjoy them inside the warm, cosy café or at an outdoor table with a view of the Tyne Bridge.

Dot Bagels

It’s hard to believe that Dot Bagels was born during lockdown, as it feels like a Newcastle institution. Dot began as a freshly-baked New York bagel delivery service and soon opened a number of bagel shops around town. Under new ownership by local bakers Kennedy and Rhind, Dot has since gone back to basics with its original store on Chillingham Road and Claremont Teahouse at Haymarket.

Dot is known for its creative bagel toppings with a Geordie twist, working with the best north east producers for superior quality meat and cheese. Go large with an indulgent North East Parmo, a classic Reuben with Block & Bottle pastrami, Boujie lox or the signature Salt on Chilli Road – salt and chilli chicken with fried onion, garlic, fresh chilli, sesame slaw and gochujang mayo (definitely the best). The Classic All Dayer breakfast bagel is also unreal and don’t miss out on a side of crispy hash pops.

Acropolis

Acropolis has become a real local success story and luckily you can find them (usually with a long queue) at most of the big food markets.

In 2016, brothers Filip and Viktor teamed up with their friend Yusuf to bring authentic Greek street food to the north east and they now have a loyal following and permanent sites at the Grainger Market, STACK Seaburn and By The River Brew Co. They also were the 2020 winners of Greek Restaurant of the Year at the North England Prestige Awards.

The most popular choice is the enormous chicken gyros – a fluffy pita packed full of fresh salads, sauces and fries – and it’s hard to resist the moreish special fries toppped with gyros meat and melted cheese and fried halloumi bites.

Pablo Eggsgobao

Pablo Eggsgobao is more than just a cheeky name – its legendary breakfast bao buns really do get you (legally) buzzing.

Pablo started as a pop-up at Bao Bar in Heaton and became so successful, it opened a take-away shop in Whitley Bay and then Newcastle – both with bright yolk yellow storefronts. Simplicity is key with just one absolute banger on the menu – the signature Breakfast Bao, plus a vegetarian and vegan version.

The Breakfast Bao includes a crispy hash brown, high welfare pork sausage patty, melted cheese, soft omelette and sriracha sauce. It’s fluffy, gooey and incredibly satisfying with a little spicy kick – a proper upgrade from your average McMuffin. The size is reasonable, but you can make a meal of it with a box of Hashies, freshly-squeezed OJ and speciality coffee.

Pablo Eggsgobao is open daily from 7am to 2pm, however at 3pm the Newcastle store becomes hidden tequila bar, Leave Me Alone, Lisa. Here you can indulge in a Big Mac Bao, teriyaki chicken rice bowl, buttered corn and a boozy Tequilamisu.

Longsands Fish Kitchen

While Longsands Fish Kitchen is by the coast in Tynemouth (so technically not Newcastle), it would be wrong not to include such a great fish and chip shop. This local favourite on busy Front Street always has a queue out of the door and it’s not just because of its central location, it’s simply because it’s one of the best.

You can go traditional with prime cod or line-caught haddock with chunky, golden chips or try something a bit fancy like jumbo Whitby scampi, tiger prawns with chilli jam, salmon fishcakes or crispy halloumi fritters. All of their cod and haddock comes from MSC sustainable sources and you can see the origins of the daily catch written on the chalkboard each day.

Whatever you order, you can be assured that it will be massive and a brisk walk along the seafront or an afternoon nap will be needed.

Have you been out for some delicious street food in Newcastle? Where are your favourite spots?

Photos by Cherie City

Edinburgh, Featured, Hotels

A Stay at Kimpton Charlotte Square Edinburgh

September 9, 2021 by cheriecity

It’s been a while since I visited Edinburgh and with all the travel uncertainty this summer, a hassle-free city break in Scotland seemed more appealing than ever. That being said, for our first jaunt out of lockdown, it had to be done in style!

We booked two nights at the gorgeous Kimpton Charlotte Square Edinburgh, where we fully intended to wine, dine and spa, and take the time to rediscover the Scottish capital.

Kimpton Charlotte Square Edinburgh elegantly sprawls across seven Grade II listed Georgian townhouses (built in the 18th century by Scottish architect Robert Adam) and overlooks one of the prettiest private garden squares in the New Town.

Checking In

Arriving at the discreet arched entrance, leading on to a cosy vestibule with an open fireplace and travel artefacts, you immediately feel like you’re staying at a boutique private residence (although it’s actually quite big with 181 rooms and 18 suites).

The hotel’s award-winning designers, Goddard Littlefair, have created a truly atmospheric space, enhancing the building’s original features with opulent colours, plush furnishings and pop art prints of British music icons – we spotted George Harrison, Amy Winehouse and Sid Vicious.

The hotel’s upscale reception rooms – the Map Room, the Salon and the Library – all have the feel of an intimate clubhouse with stunning peacock blue walls, ochre and burnt orange velvet seats and shelves full of books.

The Room

At check-in we were kindly upgraded to a spacious Deluxe Room on the first floor with a view over George Street. The room felt homely and calm with a natural palette of beige, ink blue and dark wood with a tan leather sofa and a cool gallery wall.

The king-size bed was extremely comfortable with high quality linen and plump cushions and there was also a large flat screen Smart TV, mini fridge with complimentary still and sparkling water and tea and coffee service with refined china cups.

A thoughtful Kimpton touch was the ‘tuck box’ replenished daily with Scottish snacks like the famous Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer and Mackie’s Potato Crisps (one day the flavour was haggis). We were also delighted with the complimentary pouch of fresh ground Brazilian coffee by local roastery Santu Coffee, accompanied by a ceramic dripper and paper filters.

The bathroom was small but nicely designed with a wood-panelled bathtub and excellent shower with grey metro tiles, a powerful heated towel rail and soft, fluffy towels. I was particularly excited by the range of gorgeous full-size bath products designed exclusively for Kimpton Hotels by by renowned perfumer Azzi Glasser. Master Vetivert from The Perfumer’s Story by Azzi has an invigorating, aromatic scent and the superior quality makes them very special.

For the ultimate relaxation, the hotel’s spa is an absolute must. The perfectly-heated swimming pool is ever so peaceful and there’s also a sauna, steam room and gym, plus treatments using products by Ishga and La Rue Verte, infused with CBD.

After unwinding in the spa, we headed to the bar for the hosted social hour, where complimentary wines and soft drinks are served to guests from 5pm to 6pm. It’s a lovely way to start the evening and definitely worth returning early for.

Dinner at BABA

For dinner, you can either enjoy a six-course tasting menu by Aizle in the Garden Room or go for sharing plates at the popular Levantine-inspired BABA. We made a reservation for an early dinner in BABA and were seated at a bright table overlooking George Street.

turquoise restaurant interior in Edinburgh

BABA – from the team behind Glasgow’s Ox and Finch – has a casual yet romantic vibe with distressed teal walls, jewel-like tiles, Persian and Afghan rugs covering the walls and plush aubergine leather banquettes. It’s reasonably priced for a hotel restaurant and is a real local favourite, so it can get busy.

a cosy table with Persian carpet and teal walls at BABA Edinburgh

The tempting menu features an array of colourful mezze, charcoal-grilled meats and intricately-spiced vegetables, paired with aromatic cocktails and eastern Mediterranean wines.

cauliflower fritters and baba ganoush with flatbread at BABA Edinburgh

Everything we tried was fantastic and our favourites were BABA Ganoush with charred flatbread, tender and rich Corn-fed chicken leg with gem lettuce, merguez and cashew nut butter, spicy Slow-cooked lamb shoulder with ptitim (giant cous cous), rose harissa, preserved lemon, mint and pomegranate and moreish Cauliflower shawarma with ras-el-hanout, tahini and rose.

Middle Eastern dishes at BABA restaurant Edinburgh

Breakfast

Each morning, we started the day with breakfast in the Garden, a leafy central courtyard resembling an orangerie in a country house, filled with trees, plants and rattan peacock chairs. In line with Covid guidelines, the breakfast buffet has been replaced with table service from the cheery, helpful team.

First to arrive is a set continental plate of mini pastries, granola with natural yoghurt and fresh fruit salad, plus a choice of tea or coffee and delicious freshly-squeezed juice. You can then pick a hot item from the menu including a Full Scottish breakfast, Avocado toast, Belgian waffle and Eggs Benedict.

I wish I could be more enthusiastic about the breakfast, but with limited options, food temperature issues and long delays on the first morning, it didn’t live up to expectations. Our stay came at a challenging time for hospitality, so perhaps the offering may change again as normality returns.

Kimpton Charlotte Square is a beautiful hotel that is well worth a stay, as it has the ambiance of a chic design hotel with all of the IGH perks. Any small issues we encountered during our stay were swiftly resolved by the professional, efficient team and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there.

Read more about BABA and some other top restaurants and cafes in my guide on Where to Eat Out in Edinburgh.

For more information and booking, visit: www.kimptoncharlottesquare.com

All photos by Cherie City

Edinburgh, Restaurants

The Best Places to Eat Out in Edinburgh

August 23, 2021 by cheriecity

Edinburgh has become a leading food destination with so many exciting places to eat, whether you’re in the mood for Swedish cinnamon buns, a Montreal-style pastrami bagel, Levantine baba ganoush or a creative tasting menu.

Edinburgh’s food scene has an international outlook, but with a strong focus on exceptional local produce and Scottish heritage flavours, so you’ll definitely have the change to indulge in haggis, game, seafood and whisky.

Here are some top places to add to your Edinburgh list…

Six by Nico

If you’re in Edinburgh for the Fringe, then it’s only appropriate that dinner should come with a touch of theatre. Six by Nico is a game-changing restaurant that re-invents itself every six weeks with a brand new six-course tasting menu.

Chef Nico Simeone draws on his own personal experiences and memories when creating a menu, which have previously included Circus, Sicily, The Alps and most notably The Chippie – a tribute to his Italian grandparents who owned a chip shop.

Nico opened his first restaurant in Glasgow with the ambition of making fine dining more accessible, casual and fun. The concept proved so popular that Six by Nico restaurants soon followed in Edinburgh, Belfast, Liverpool, Manchester and now London’s Fitzrovia and Canary Wharf.

Happily, our visit coincided with the Cooking Shanghai menu with flavours inspired by the stylish city’s vibrant street food, heritage dishes and haute cuisine.

The first dish was an explosion of umami tastes with a fluffy Char siu pork mantou steamed bun with chilli oil, crispy ginger and pickled mushroom, followed by the intricate and rich Dengzhou chicken with fennel, shimiji and onion crumb. Mushroom Medicine with enoki crackling, king oyster and cep pancake was a revelation – I’ve never experienced a mushroom dish with so much depth and wondrous flavours.

Cod and peanut sauce with buckwheat noodles and puffed rice was succulent and high quality but extremely oversalted and Black beef with and broccoli with choy sum, pickled ginger and ox cheek potsticker played it safe but was definitely tasty.

I personally found the earlier courses the most thrilling, however it all ended beautifully with the appropriately named A Matcha Made in Heaven – a subtle and fragrant matcha and lychee custard with fresh raspberries and white chocolate.

Six by Nico is one to keep an eye on, as the menu is so radically different and intriguing each time. It’s a hot ticket in Edinburgh, so be sure to book ahead with some flexibility for dining times – I had the stalk the website booking page for almost a week to score a table!

BABA

BABA is a stunning, Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar on the corner of George Street at Edinburgh’s luxurious Kimpton Charlotte Square.

Head Chef David Barnett offers a journey through the Levant with vibrant mezze, charcoal-grilled meats and intricately-spiced vegetables, paired with fragrant cocktails and eastern Mediterranean wines.

The restaurant is simply gorgeous with harmonious interiors contrasting the building’s original Georgian features with distressed teal walls, jewel-like tiles, Persian and Afghan rugs covering the walls and plush aubergine leather banquettes.

It’s also full of atmosphere, whether you’re sitting in the light-filled main dining room or one of the cosier, romantic dining spaces – The Library, The Salon and The Map Room – sprawling across the hotel. Luckily, we were staying there, so we could simply roll up to our room after dinner.

We started with a few mezze dishes to graze on – indulgent, curried Cauliflower fritters with zhug and creme fraiche and smoky, moreish BABA ganoush studded with pomegranate seeds and fresh mint.

From the grill, we loved the tender, rich Corn-fed chicken leg with gem lettuce, merguez and cashew nut butter and the deliciously piquant Slow-cooked lamb shoulder with ptitim (giant cous cous), rose harissa, preserved lemon, mint and pomegranate.

Another must-order side is the sumptous, aromatic Cauliflower shawarma with ras-el-hanout, tahini and rose.

Hawksmoor

Steak connoisseurs may already know what to expect from Hawksmoor, since it’s already in London, Manchester and New York, however the Edinburgh outpost is something to see. Its location is truly spectacular, housed in the Grade A-listed former Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters, overlooking elegant St Andrew Square. It’s also in good company with neighbouring Dishoom, The Ivy, Harvey Nichols and the soon-to-open Gleneagles Townhouse.

The enormous 1930s neoclassical banking hall has a buzzing, clubby feel with cosy leather booths, an open kitchen, private dining room and an intriguing wine room at the centre. Hawksmoor is known for using the best local produce, so here you can expect fresh seafood from around the Scottish coast and beef from native breed cattle on both sides of the border.

The Half grilled chicken was ever so tender and succulent with a tangy Béarnaise sauce and a side of moreish Buttered Jersey Royals.

I also enjoyed the classic Hawksmoor hamburger with Ogleshield cheese, which was smoky and juicy with tiny pieces of bone marrow and punchy mustard. On the day we visited, the fryer broke down, so I was offered a side of Mac and Cheese instead of the usual chips, which didn’t upset me in the slightest! It came bubbling hot in its own cast iron pot and was gooey and rich with flavourful raclette and a hint of nutmeg.

Be sure to leave some room for dessert, as you don’t want to miss out on the heavenly Sticky toffee sundae!

Greenwoods

Brunch, but make it Dutch at Greenwoods! This cosy coffee shop was established in Amsterdam in 1988 and just last year, Scottish general manager Jen Nelson returned home to open a third outpost in Edinburgh New Town.

Classic brunch dishes are served all day, along with traditional Dutch apple pie and an afternoon cream tea. There are also plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes, including the Full Vegan Breakfast, Eggs Greenwoods with charred broccoli and white miso aioli and a Banana Bread Tumble.

We loved the indulgent Eggs Benedict and the creamy Scrambled Eggs with roasted herb tomato, mushrooms and an enormous wedge of home-made soda bread toast. Both dishes were very filling and packed with flavour – a side of moreish, home-made hash browns is also a must.

Tea is often be an after-thought, but at Greenwoods, the loose-leaf tea is strong and full-bodied, served in an elegant silver pot. I’m already plotting my return to try some of that tempting apple pie.

Bross Bagels

If you’re out and about during the Fringe or need a pick-me-up after climbing up to Edinburgh Castle, grab a banging Bross Bagel for lunch. This local favourite was set up by actress and comedian Larah Bross, aka Mama Bross, in 2017 and now boasts four outposts across Edinburgh, Portobello and Leith.

Unlike the New York-style bagels that most of us are familiar with, Bross’s traditional Montreal-style bagels are smaller and slightly sweet, as the organic dough is made wtih egg and boiled in honeywater.

Many of the filling combos are pretty creative like haggis and smoked applewood Cheddar, chicken parm and jalapeno or deep-fried cauliflower with buffalo sauce, however you can also keep it simple with house-cured salt beef and mustard, pastrami and dill pickle or the classic cream cheese and lox. Some of the stores also offer Bross Dogs with all the fixings and loaded Filthy Fries.

The bagels are absolutely delicious and substantial without being heavy – the perfect cheap eat. Oh, and on Mama Bross’s instructions, they literally ‘fill that hole’, so you can expect some messiness.

I.J Mellis

Iain Mellis opened his first cheese shop, I.J Mellis, on Edinburgh’s historic Victoria Street 28 years ago, offering the chance to discover a wide range of farmhouse cheeses made using single herd milk. There are now three Mellis cheesemongers in Edinburgh, as well as Glasgow, St. Andrews and Aberdeen.

The cavernous original shop, halfway up historic Victoria Street, is well-located near the Royal Mile for some tasty shopping or a light lunch while exploring the Old Town. Let the knowledgeable staff recommend some delicious artisanal Scottish and international cheeses and pick up some tempting provisions like home-made jams and pickles, freshly-baked bread, haggis Scotch eggs and sausage rolls.

Some of the stores have a cheese bar tucked away at the back, where you can get stuck into a crispy sourdough toastie oozing with top notch cheese. For the full experience, book a table at the Morningside Cheese Lounge and enjoy a Welsh rarebit, French onion soup and a cheese and charcuterie board paired with a glass of wine.

Mary’s Milk Bar

Some of the best ice cream in Scotland can be found at Mary’s Milk Bar at the foot of Edinburgh Castle on the historic Grassmarket. This dreamy, Instagram-worthy, pastel-hued gelateria and chocolaterie not only looks the part but it has serious credentials.

Owner Mary Hillard studied at the prestigious Carpigiani Gelato University in Bologna and makes all of the ice cream and chocolate fresh every morning until 11am. The flavours change every day and follow the seasons, so there is always something new to try.

On our visit, they included delights such as cherry mascarpone, white chocolate and thyme, walnut and cinnamon and nectarine and rosemary.

We tried the milk and honey ice cream and it was unbelievably velvety and smooth, studded with little flecks of fresh honeycomb. A trip to Edinburgh wouldn’t be the same without a visit to Mary’s!

Archipelago Bakery

This petite bakery and cafe on Dundas Street is a real neighbourhood favourite where locals stop by to pick up freshly-baked bread and meet up over coffee and cake. Everything is made in-house at Archipelago Bakery using organic flour and local produce and there are plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.

We started the morning with tea and toast, flaky croissants with raspberry jam and a slice of scrumptious apricot and cardamom iced loaf cake.

It’s such a cute place with friendly staff and I’d definitely go back again for lunch to try the spanakopita and fresh salads or a warming home-made soup.

Söderberg

You may know this fabulous Swedish coffee shop and bakery from London’s Berwick Street, however Söderberg was born in Edinburgh and now has seven outposts across the capital.

At Söderberg Pavilion, the flagship cafe at the heart of the Quartermile, you can sit on the spacious terrace and graze on sourdough pizza, open sandwiches, baked eggs, Swedish waffles and Mazarin tarts. Unlike its other shops, the Pavilion is open late for dinner and cocktails.

We visited the Stockbridge cafe for an afternoon refuel of a fluffy and aromatic Cardamom bun and a Savoury scone covered in nigella seeds with an excellent flat white coffee and a pot of Earl Grey tea.

La Barantine

While Scotland may be famous for its coconut macaroons (and you should definitely try them), it’s all about colourful French macarons at La Barantine.

Owners Céline and Vincent left their boulangerie in northern France over a decade ago to live out their Scottish dream and open their first cafe in the Bruntsfield area of Edinburgh. They now have four charming bakeries and cafes across the city, including the one that caught my eye walking up pretty Victoria Street.

It’s the ideal spot in the Old Town to enjoy a breakfast formule of coffee, baguette and a croissant or a light lunch of soup, freshly-baked quiche or a filled baguette. The patisserie counter is impossible to resist and I highly recommend a slice of the heavenly Flan Framboise.

Have you visited Edinburgh recently? Where are your favourite places to eat?

All photos by Cherie City

Featured, Mallorca, Restaurants

Dinner at El Camino in Palma de Mallorca

July 15, 2021 by cheriecity

Eating out in Palma de Mallorca is an absolute joy with plenty of charming tapas bars to choose from, however there’s no hotter place on the island than El Camino from restaurateur Eddie Hart.

Having conquered London with the game-changing Barrafina tapas bars (including the Michelin-starred Soho original), as well as Fino and Quo Vadis, Eddie moved away from his brothers for the sunnier climes of Mallorca and partnered with singer-songwriter Samuel Gough to launch El Camino.

Located in the heart of Palma’s vibrant old town, on a narrow side street just off the elegant tree-lined Passeig del Born, El Camino feels like a secret address among those in the know. It’s also in good company with the design-led Brondo Architect Hotel, tucked away on the Carrer de Can Brondo.

El Camino is a stunning restaurant, designed by Elsa Oliveras Studio, with intricate mosaic floors, shiny white metro tiles and romantic touches like hand-painted wall murals, smoked mirrors and little stars adorning the ceiling.

Like Barrafina, it’s all about counter dining at the long marble-topped oak bar, where you can watch the chefs at work, perched on a comfy burgundy leather bar stool. There’s also a cosy bar area at the back of the restaurant to kick off your night with a glass of wine and some olives and padrón peppers while waiting to be seated (which may take a little while since it’s walk-ins only).

El Camino offers Mediterranean tapas with a focus on local Mallorcan ingredients sourced by Chef David Taborda. The wine list also features well-priced wines from the island and mainland Spain.

The well-edited menu is designed for sharing and is divided into para picar, tapas, rice, fish, meat and vegetables, along with daily specials.

We started with the most fantastic Jamon croquettes – crunchy, plump and oozing with velvety bechamel and flecks of high quality ham.

Classic tortilla was incredibly moreish and substantial – crispy and golden on the outside with layers of thinly-sliced potato and onion and a runny, deep orange-hued centre. It also comes with a choice of prawns or chorizo and is a must-order dish.

We were also wowed by the magnificent Squid ink rice, served in a copper cooking dish. The black rice was nicely firm and herby, topped with tender fresh squid and served with a punchy garlic aioli.

Basque cod was also a real treat and expertly cooked a la plancha. The juicy, flaky cod fillet had perfectly scorched skin and sat atop a vibrant, well-seasoned red pepper stew. It’s so delicious that you might want to put aside the sharing idea and order one each!

Although El Camino stands strong with its own identity and concept, it’s hard not to compare it to Barrafina, as there are so many similarities and the standard is equally high. It’s the kind of place that you always hope to find on holiday and can’t wait to tell everyone about it when you get home.

The walk-in policy means you might have to arrive early and be prepared to wait, however you will be well looked after and there is a delightful private dining room that can be booked for larger groups.

Have you been to El Camino? Where is your favourite place to eat tapas in Palma de Mallorca?

Photos by Chérie City (interior image from El Camino)

Amsterdam, Featured, Restaurants

Where to Eat Out in Amsterdam

June 28, 2021 by cheriecity

Dining out in Amsterdam is always an event, whether you’re in the mood for a juicy burger, the freshest sushi or creative small plates. Brunch is also done exceedingly well and you can’t beat the city’s famous croquettes, sweet waffles and Dutch apple pie.

On my last trip to Amsterdam, I ventured a bit further out of the historic centre and explored the food scene across the river in Noord and the lively Albert Cuypstraat in cool neighbourhood, De Pijp.

Here are a few top eateries to add to your Amsterdam list…

The Butcher Social Club

Ask where to find a great burger in Amsterdam and everyone will point you to The Butcher. It’s a real institution with five gourmet burger bars across the city including The Butcher Social Club, complete with ping pong and pinball machines, inside the hip Sir Adam Hotel.

The Butcher is famed for its juicy, saucy, flame-grilled burgers with prime Aberdeen Angus beef, Dutch Edam cheese for that local touch, signature burger sauce and plenty of toppings. If you’re not in the mood for a beef burger, go for prime New Zealand lamb, grilled marinated chicken, beer battered blue cod, or a fried chickpea veggie burger. The sides are pretty standard, with sweet potato fries, onion rings and mozzarella sticks, but make sure you order the smoky babaganoush sauce for dipping – it’s a game-changer.

CHUN

Bubble tea happens to be one of my secret vices, so I had to check out CHUN in the busy 9 Streets district. This petite tea shop has a contemporary, minimalist feel with a well-edited menu and a focus on high quality natural ingredients. You can try hot or cold drinks made with fresh tea and home-made syrups, including a classic brown sugar milk tea, taro coconut milk tea, matcha latte or hojicha.

As it was a sunny day, we ordered two refreshing fruit-based teas – Mango jasmine iced tea with added boba pearls and Orange peach iced tea. They were so luscious and uplifting that we stopped by the next day for another!

Staring at Jacob

One of my favourite Amsterdam finds has to be Staring at Jacob, a New York brunch bar on the corner of a leafy Oud-West street where you could imagine Carrie Bradshaw living. It’s the place to come when you’re in the mood for big breakfast platters and cocktails – think fried chicken and bloody marys and buttermilk pancakes with mimosa pitchers.

We grabbed a seat outdoors by the canal and watched the world go by while waiting for our food to arrive. I went for the absolutely delicious Jacob’s Benny – two poached eggs on sourdough toast with smoked butter, smoked bacon, hollandaise sauce and hash browns.

We also had to try Staring at Jacob’s signature dish, Rasco – fried chicken, buttermilk waffle, soft scrambled eggs, mixed leaves and maple syrup. The fried chicken was tender, crunchy and herby and it went perfectly with the fluffy waffle and buttery scrambled eggs, all finished nicely with good quality maple syrup. Be sure to bring your appetite!

Dignita

Another great brunch spot is Dignita Hoftuin, a delightful all-glass restaurant and terrace in a beautiful garden behind the Hermitage Museum. With three outposts across the city, Dignita is not only about eating well but doing good for the community, as it works closely Not For Sale, a social enterprise offering training and support to vulnerable people get back into work.

The menu is full of comforting brunch classics like pancake stacks, truffled mushrooms on toast and coconut granola, but there’s a lightness that keeps everything quite healthy. The Benny Boy didn’t disappoint with two perfectly poached Freiland eggs, a generous dollop of tangy apple cider hollandaise, micro greens and fresh smashed avocado on a light and crispy potato hash.

Another must-order dish is the flavourful Slow-roasted lamb leg sandwich with plenty of tender, aromatic Italan-style lamb on home-made sourdough bread with a herby rosemary spread, pickled red onions and baby watercress.

De Japanner

De Japanner, a petite izakaya on Albert Cuypstraat, is the place for Japanese bites and cocktails in De Pijp. Having worked at the renowned Taiko at the Conservatorium Hotel and some of the city’s best bars, owners Tosao van Coevorden and Guido De Bruijn have created a place that’s relaxed, unpretentious and full of soul.

Every plate we tried was exquisite. Beef tataki was ever so tender with a tangy, aromatic ginger and sesame ponzu and punchy garlic chips, while Chicken katsu was hot and crispy with a mature flavour and home-made tonkatsu sauce.

We also loved the fluffy Pork chashu bao with silky pork belly and chunky kimchi and the fantastic Ebi fry uramaki – perhaps the best sushi I’ve ever had!

Cabrón

Further along the street is Cabrón, a Mexican taqueria and cocktail bar with outdoor seating. It offers a tempting selection of traditional tacos and quesadillas, as well as larger south American-inspired plates like ceviche and brochetas.

The tacos are particularly good and our favourites were Carnitas with juicy roasted pork, fresh cheese and sweet potato and the spicy Birria – tender beef stew and aji onions.

It’s also worth filling up on a substantial, piquant Adobo chicken quesadilla and crowd-pleasing Cheese nachos, piled high with jalapenos and pickled pink onions, all washed down with a zesty Margarita or Pisco Sour.

Cafe-Restaurant Stork

In the warmer months, there’s nothing better than eating on the terrace at Cafe-Restaurant Stork, a fabulous fish and seafood restaurant in a renovated industrial warehouse on the northern banks of the River IJ.

It’s also perfectly placed to discover the newly-developed Amsterdam-Noord neighbourhood (a few minutes from Central Station on the ferry), where old shipyards have been transformed into cafes, breweries, taquerias, art galleries and urban beaches.

The menu is varied and accessible, so you can simply graze on a poke bowl or fish soup for lunch or go large with an indulgent seafood tower, whole Canadian lobster or the catch of the day. We had a light lunch and loved the crunchy Crab cakes, moreish Shrimp croquettes and the Avocado melt with sliced sirloin, parmesan and rocket and golden Friethoes fries.

Bar Fisk

Bar Fisk, a charming little fish bar in De Pijp, evokes the flavours of a Tel Aviv food market with a well-edited menu of delicately spiced sharing plates. Everything we ate was beautifully-presented with vibrant colours, harmonious pairings and the freshest produce.

We absolutely loved the Scallops with beetroot, walnut and chervil and the Grilled seabass in a fennel bouillabaisse. It’s also worth ordering some freshly-baked sesame bread with houmous and pickles and some inventive vegetable dishes.

Trattoria Graziella

You might not expect to find an Italian trattoria inside a luxury five star hotel, but the addition of Trattoria Graziella at the iconic Hotel De L’Europe somehow feels just right. We were staying at the hotel and after finishing the day unwinding in the fabulous spa, it was an absolute treat to simply roll downstairs to feast on antipasti and spaghetti.

Trattoria Graziella is a beautiful restaurant – modern yet rustic and warm – with a central counter and cosy window booths overlooking Nieuwe Doelenstraat. We started with generously-sized plates of top quality Prosciutto di Parma and creamy mozzarella di bufala and Beef carpaccio with artichokes, parmesan, rocket and balsamic vinegar.

Spaghetti Carbonara was ever so indulgent and scrumptious and I was wowed by the deliciously slow-cooked Spaghetti ai 5 pomodori, made lovingly from a time-honoured recipe with five types of tomato, basil and parmesan.

The staff were so lovely and welcoming and sent us on our merry way with a complimentary shot of limoncello. It feels like the kind of warm, convivial restaurant to celebrate an occasion with friends and family – it’s just so lovely.

Where are your favourite places to eat out in the Dutch capital? For more Amsterdam ideas, read my guide on places to eat out from previous trips.

All photos by Chérie City

Accessories, Fashion

New Mulberry and Ahluwalia Collaboration

June 16, 2021 by cheriecity

British heritage brand Mulberry celebrates its 50th anniversary by collaborating with three visionary designers – Priya Ahluwalia, Richard Malone and Nicholas Daley – on eco-conscious capsule collections set to drop throughout 2021. Kicking off the first Mulberry Editions collection is London-based menswear designer Priya Ahluwalia.

Ahluwalia launched her eponymous label in 2018, after graduating from the MA Menswear course at The University of Westminster. She has since been recognised with awards including the LVMH Prize and the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design.

Mulberry x Ahluwalia reimagines the Portobello Tote – launched in 2019 as its first 100% sustainable leather bag- alongside a selection of vibrant organic 100% silk scarves.

Marking the young brand’s accessories debut, the collection is influenced by Ahluwalia’s fascination with hair as a means of identity, protest and expression. It draws on the designer’s mixed Nigerian-Indian heritage, for which hair holds such importance in both cultures. It celebrates the artistry, rituals and symbolism of Afro-Caribbean hair and Priya’s own personal narrative, which is brought to life through bold colour and striking motifs.

The bespoke ‘wave’ prints are inspired by the techniques of braided Black hair and are showcased in braid-inspired seam lines and patchwork details. 60s and 70s protest symbols of pride, such as the Afro comb and braided hair silhouettes, are also purposed into custom-made embroidered badges adorning some of the bags.

Ahluwalia’s take on the Portobello Tote is both futuristic and nostalgic, informed by art, music, literature, and culture across the African and Asian diasporas to create an intersection between near and far, and past and present. It also captures the current moment, reflecting this generation’s passion for upcycling with a nod to vintage. Luxurious calf leather and suede are patchworked in harmonious shades of deep amber, coral orange, palm green and burgundy.

The collection consists of four oversized Portobello Totes, five Portobello Totes and three Mini Portobello Totes – a new size created especially for the collaboration. There are also four 100% organic silk scarves that can be worn as a bandana or headscarf.

The Mulberry x Ahluwalia capsule is crafted in Mulberry’s carbon neutral Somerset Factories, using only repurposed fabrics and leathers that have been reworked for the capsule, aligning with Ahluwalia’s brand values of zero waste.

Speaking about the collaboration, Ahluwalia says: “Mulberry is a brand that I have memories of from childhood, ever since I used to borrow my Mum’s own Mulberry bag, so this was an opportunity to collaborate with a brand that is very meaningful to me. I haven’t yet had a chance to make accessories and I think with Mulberry x Ahluwalia, we’ve brought together our mutual values to create beautiful pieces that people can buy and cherish forever”.

The Mulberry x Ahluwalia capsule was unveiled during London Fashion Week as part of Ahluwalia’s Spring Summer ’22 and womenswear debut. Alongside an alluring campaign full of imagination and adventure, the collaboration is also accompanied by a powerful new film, Parts of Me, directed by BAFTA-nominated director Akinola Davies Jr. As an extension of the project, Ahluwalia and Mulberry have also collaborated on a second film, Tools of Expression, spotlighting three hair stories from cross-disciplinary talents in an intimate salon setting.

Deepening the collaborative message around pride and beauty in Black hair, Mulberry has added to its own policy and signed up to the Halo Code, a set of commitments focused on creating a future without race-based hair discrimination.

It’s promising to see Mulberry leading the way alongside luxury brands such as Chloé, Gucci, Burberry and Loewe committing to a more sustainable approach to fashion by reducing their carbon footprint, reworking surplus fabrics, refurbishing and reselling pre-loved accessories and ensuring ethical standards for all workers. I’m looking forward to seeing what they do next…

For more information and to shop the Mulberry x Ahluwalia collection, visit: www.mulberry.com

Newcastle, Restaurants

A Wonderful Dinner at Khai Khai Newcastle

June 12, 2021 by cheriecity

Newcastle has always been known for its oustanding Indian restaurants, and more recently its game-changing street food eateries, so the recent opening of Khai Khai was full of promise.

While Tier Three restrictions last December put Khai Khai’s initial opening on hold, the restaurant pushed forward with a popular take-away service and launched an ‘at home’ range on the deli counter at Fenwick Food Hall.

With an established fan base and glowing reviews, Khai Khai finally opened at the end of May and I was thrilled to be able to book a table to celebrate my birthday. Perhaps news also reached Hollywood, as just this week, Harrison Ford stopped by for lunch while filming Indiana Jones 5 in the North East.

Khai Khai occupies a prime spot on upscale Queen Street, just off the Quayside, and is set across two floors of a beautiful Victorian grade II listed building, nestled among exotic plants. Inside is just as impressive with earth-toned interiors, cosy leather booths, smoked marble tables and flashes of neon, designed by creative agency Run For The Hills.

Khai Khai explores the art of ‘smoke play’, offering heritage Indian comfort food cooked over hot stones, coals and wood fires. You can experience time-honoured favourites from diverse regions such as Delhi, Kolkata and Lucknow.

Owner Jaf Ali (director of local favourite Dabbawal) has worked closely with renowned Michelin-starred chef Alfred Prasad to evoke the nostalgic flavours of his grandma’s kitchen with game-changing cooking techniques.

We were shown to a lovely table at the centre of the Heritage Room and ordered from the early evening menu, boasting a generous selection of the restaurant’s signature dishes for £16 per person.

To start, we shared the most delicious Chicken 65 – crispy, tender fried chicken with a subtle kick, served with a cooling chive yogurt dip. Onion and samphire bhaji was the best I’ve ever had and the chilli garlic dip was a great match. They almost had the texture of a rosti with super-fine strands of golden, deep-fried onion and the addition of samphire was an inspired choice.

Old Delhi butter chicken has to be my all-time favourite curry and Khai Khai’s was insanely good. The chicken tikka kebabs are cooked in both a traditional tandoor oven and a josper oven to get an extra smoky flavour, then smothered in an aromatic tomato sauce with herb butter – perfection!

A wonderful contrast was the Grilled seabass – a substantial pan-grilled fillet with lots of flavour and crispy skin, sat atop a vibrant yet mellow, slightly sweet Kerala moilee sauce and fresh spinach poriyal.

The mains also came with fluffy steamed Basmati rice, some punchy Tadka yellow lentils and moreish, bubbly naan. I couldn’t resist ordering an extra naan to mop up all of that lovely, rich sauce.

From the all-day menu, you can also indulge in dishes such as Achari tiger prawn, Josper lamb chops, Dumm Gosht Biryani, Gunpowder chips and all different kinds of naan and pulao rice. For the ultimate decadence, Khai Khai will take care of your entire table with the Chef’s Feast at £35 per person.

If you manage to find room, there’s Josper-grilled pineapple for dessert, as well as luscious, smoke-inspired cocktails and spicy masala chai.

Khai Khai was just as fabulous as expected, with delightful staff, efficient service and exquisite food. I can’t wait to return and try some more dishes.

For more information and booking, visit: www.khaikhai.co.uk

Food photos by Chérie City (interiors via Run For The Hills for Khai Khai).

London, Restaurants

The Best Places To Eat Outside in London

April 14, 2021 by cheriecity

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for… restaurants are back! While we have to wait until next month to dine indoors, many London eateries have worked hard to transform their outdoor spaces, big or small, and lift our spirits again.

With such promising sunny days throughout April, there’s no better time to support your old favourites or try somewhere new. Just be sure to wrap up warm (especially for dinner), stay safe and be a gracious guest – there’s nothing more soul-destroying for restaurants than a no-show.

Here are some of the best terraces for a celebratory meal to remember…

The Berkeley Beach Huts

The Berkeley brings the nostalgic glamour of the Great British seaside to Belgravia for spring/summer with its glorious rainbow-coloured, stripey Berkeley Beach Huts. Inspired by iconic foodie seafronts such as Whitstable, Southwold and Padstow, fresh seafood and fun retro classics take centre stage.

Catch up with friends and family over magnificent seafood platters, grilled langoustines and five star fish and chips, alongside lighter bites such as brioche lobster rolls, plaice butties and crispy squid.

Leave room for dessert to enjoy a selection of ice cream sandwiches, ‘make a mess’ Eton Mess and best of all, a ‘Gourmet 99’ with no less than four chocolate flakes and ‘add your own’ toppings. Wash it all down with the finest British wines, maritime-inspired cocktails and shandies.

If you don’t managed to snag a highly-coveted beach hut, you can still soak up the seaside atmosphere on the surrounding terrace and counter. A trip to the beach has never been so luxurious!

Seabird

What could be more decadent post-lockdown than working your way through London’s longest oyster list with a bottle of Champagne and panoramic views over the city? Seabird – the photogenic rooftop restaurant on the fourteenth floor of The Hoxton Southwark – has a fabulous terrace and a summery sea-to-table menu.

Nestle on a rattan sofa among the tropical palms and take in the beach club vibes over Spanish and Portuguese plates like Squid ink rice, Iberico pork presa, Scallop ceviche and the famous Octopus roll. Don’t miss the traditional Torrija and Manchego cheesecake for dessert and plenty of frozen Caipirinhas.

Brat at Climpson’s Arch

Brat is set to continue its hugely successful residency at Climpson’s Arch, the London Fields coffee roastery, throughout 2021. Michelin-starred chef Tomos Parry celebrates the ritualistic simplicity of fire, bringing his Basque-inspired open fire grilling techniques to the marquee-covered courtyard.

Expect signature sharing dishes such as Whole roasted turbot, Crab with hay butter and wood fired breads, not forgetting that heavenly Burnt cheesecake.

The Tramshed Project

The Tramshed Project was created by Dominic Cools-Lartigue during lockdown as a place to eat, work and build on the spirit of community with wellness classes, chef residencies and cultural events.

It’s a new chapter for the grade II listed Tramshed building in Shoreditch, taking the baton from former restaurateur Mark Hix and replacing the iconic Damien Hirst Cock and Bull sculpture with new artworks from the Zabludowicz Collection. It also has a delightful terrace seating up to 50 on the pedestrianised Garden Walk.

Chef Andrew Clarke’s spring menu is an absolute joy with dishes including Fried calcots with Ogleshield fondue and hot sauce, Slow-roast lamb shoulder with potato and anchovy boulangère and Grilled baby chicken with baby leeks, lemon and aioli. Definitely a reason to stop by Shoreditch this spring.

Towpath Cafe

Take it easy with a casual lunch overlooking Regent’s Canal at Hackney favourite Towpath Cafe. Lori De Mori and Laura Jackson’s petite waterside cafe is the perfect spot to catch some sun and with a no-booking policy, there’s hope of scoring a table if you arrive at the right time.

You can look forward to grazing on rustic sharing plates of Brown shrimp and kohlrabi, Crispy lamb with houmous and caramelised onion and the much-loved Grilled cheese sandwich with quince jam.

Circolo Popolare

Eating truffle straight from the copper pan in a secret garden sounds like the ideal way to emerge from lockdown. Big Mamma’s boistrous Sicilian trattoria Circolo Popolare has the prettiest terrace in Fitzrovia with colourful parasols and twinkling fairy lights.

Start with a big burrata, crocchetta and cured meats and follow with an indulgent Grilled tagliata and Spaghetti cacio e pepe served straight from the percorino wheel. Dessert is also a must with a classic Tiramisu, giant profiteroles or Instagram-famous lemon meringue pie.

If you loved Big Mamma’s Napoli Gang delivery service, you’ll have even more fun at the restaurant.

Have you started eating out in London again? Where have you booked for your grand return?

Food, Shopping

Easter Gift Guide 2021

March 25, 2021 by cheriecity

Easter is the time to embrace the brighter days and new beginnings of spring, along with a little well-deserved indulgence for you and your loved ones. Take some time to slow down and enjoy simple pleasures like lighting a luxury candle, planting herb seeds, decorating your own iced Easter biscuits or trying a new pasta recipe.

Whether you’re searching for something fabulous to send to your family or stocking up for a weekend feast at home, here are some thoughtful gifts to make Easter even more of a celebration…

Vergani Limoncello Colomba Cake, 750g, £24.95, Fine Food Specialist

Ganni Basic Cotton Jersey Bunny T-Shirt, £75, MATCHESFASHION

Charbonnel et Walker Fine Dark & Milk Chocolate Easter Selection, 395g, £34.95, Harvey Nichols

Big Mamma Cucina Popolare Contemporary Italian Recipes, £21.76, Blackwells

Piccolo Cocktail Herbs Seed Collection, £9, Trouva

Boy Smells Rhubarb Smoke Candle, £45, Space NK

Biscuiteers DIY Easter Tree Biscuit Kit, £39.95, Harvey Nichols

Bouvery CV Chocolate Liqueur, £34.95, The Whisky Exchange

Pandora’s Box, £62, Grace & Thorn

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