Meat:Stack at No.28. New name, same great taste.

Last night I was invited along to the re-launch of Meat:Stack.... formerly known as The Grind. If you don't remember my last post about these guys, I labelled it as "the best burger I'd ever tasted." With a rename and re-brand, I was eager to know if the delicious, loved burgers remained the same. 

You might not have heard of Meat:Stack as they are based in No.28 - a hidden bar. This cool venue is tucked snuggle upstairs in the Grainger Market, Newcastle. I love this spot, always guaranteed to make my ears happy with their sick playlists. We tasted some cocktails before getting down to business with the menu. 

 When I last tried these burgers, I tasted the West Coast Classic which is a waaay better upgraded version of a Big Mac. Classic burger, slathered in delicious cheese and a handmade patty. This time I wasn't sure to expect on taste, quality, if the recipes had changed and such so I went for the Classic again for comparison....

Safe to say, this juicy and succulent burger didn't disappoint. The name may have changed but the taste remains! I'm yet to try a burger better than this. A hand thrown patty on a soft bun covered in melted cheesy goodness and a dash of lettuce for the classic crunch. Each component carefully thought about. The taste that makes this is the secret sauce. For all you classic cheeseburger lovers, this one is for you! 

My friend tried the Fried Chicken & Parmesan Burger which was again another tasty winner. Juicy chicken, cooked to perfection with honey mayo and that classic lettuce crunch. My other friend tried the Mid Western Burger which is a butter burger packed with french onions, charred green chilli, miso butter and whipped garlic. Still no faults to be had, each burger had its own distinctive taste but the quality remains. The Mid Western has a hint of gherkin taste to it. Anyone in search if something out of the ordinary, you've gotta give this a go!

So while you're tucking in and your senses are going crazy, add beef dripping fries to the mix and this will tip you over the edge. These guys know how to make your tummy happy! Crunchy, yet perfectly crispy american style fries, fried in beef dripping and seasoned with salt. Unreal! Again, I tried these last time but no change in the amazing flavour. 

An exception to last time of tasting, I got to try the Legendary Buffalo Wings which were spicy but flavoursome and crispy. The meat is tender and everything you want from a chicken wing. Bite size chicken goodness. And I'm not a huge fan of meat on the bone or beef burgers per say but these guys just know what they're doing! Hand thrown patties right down to their sauces. 

 We were also treat to Dog Hot Fries which are filthy fries drizzled in in secret sauce, ancho chilli honey, buffalo hot sauce and topped with cheddar cheese and gourmet hot dog. Spicy on the taste buds but just as addictive... once you start on these you cant stop. The sauce is a unique taste yet still an american vibe of a classic. 

If you're a burger connoisseur or just looking for something delicious to satisfy the hunger, get yourself to Meat:Stack at No.28. The burgers range from £6 - £8 and sides are reasonably priced too. I'll for sure be back to taste their Parmesan & Truffle Fries and maybe even test the desserts if I leave any room. And if you can't eat a burger without the all important fries, the £10 offer Monday - Thursday is insanely good value for money with the addition of Buffalo Wings too. Good food, done very well. Still the best burger I have ever tasted. 

Until next time... 

The Original Redhead 

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Newcastle In The Sky: Bucket List Experience

So, most people have a bucket list, right?! A list of things they wanna tick off before they 'kick the bucket shall we say. So when I heard Newcastle In The Sky was heading to Gateshead again, I had to oblige when they invited me along. For those unaware of Newcastle In The Sky's concept... it's basically a dining experience suspended 100ft up in the air. The sun was just setting as we were arriving, making out for a beautiful evening!

Okay so here's how it went down. Myself & Ruth (Pretty Little Gym Addict) arrived at the hospitality tent and were greeted with a glass of champagne. Good for those with a fear of heights... take the edge off. We were both really excited and not frightened of the height aspect which was fun. There was already a flight taking place so we watched from the tent. As you can see, we opted for the evening flight. Each flight is hosted by a different North East Restaurateur or Cocktail Bar and ours was hosted by Livello with 2 cocktails served in the sky. 

When it was our turn, our group was gathered together and talked through the safety instructions. No bags, hold on tight to all possessions for obvious reasons etc. By this point I was itching to get in my seat. Seating is a very organised affair as there is a certain way you need to be harnessed into you seat for safety - always good news! Once we were fastened in, another safety check by another member of staff happened which was very reassuring. We were one of the first to be seated so it seemed to take a while and the anticipation was building... 

Once all safely secured in our seats, the platform slowly began to move off the ground and we felt weightless. As we floated above the ground, our compare talked us through the staff serving the cocktails and that we would rotate after the first drink so we would all get both views of Gateshead & Newcastle. Not going to lie, some people were clinging on and I overheard someone say "dont look down" and I stupidly though pfft why not?! Heart in my mouth moment. Turns out 100ft is higher off the ground that you think. And from the ground doesn't look far at all. I took a few gulps and prayed my cocktail would be in my hands soon. After a swift talking to myself (in my head of course) I soon adjusted.

I was sat right in front of the bartender making our cocktails, which was fun to watch with the view of the river tyne over her shoulder. 

Once drink number 1 has been finished, this is the half way point so they rotate the platform. I managed to get some shots of the Millennium Bridge lit up and there is something magical about the quayside at night time. Twinkling lights in the velvet black sky...

Pinched this gorgeous shot from Ruth! A moment we'll not forget... 

The first drink went down a treat and do it was on to the 2nd which was aptly named the Blushing Geisha. Blush pink, flowered with berries and topped with crushed ice. 

Once the 30 minute slot was over, we were lowered back down to ground level. Which surprisingly seems to be quicker than going up! We were allowed to finish our drinks in the refreshment tent and the staff were very welcoming.  This truly is the experience of a lifetime but not for the faint hearted. The cocktail night time flight lasted half an hour and costs £75.00 pp which is fairly reasonable given the uniqueness of the experience, friendly staff, drinks on entrance etc. If you're after an unbeatable dining experience, Newcastle In The Sky have got you covered. 

Until next time... 

The Original Redhead 

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August Adventures

Me and Zoe  had a free day and we really wanted to get out and do something. The weather has been so Jekyll & Hyde recently so it's difficult to choose what to do, where to go and what to wear. We checked the weather forecast today and with sun but strong wind we decided to head to the train station for an adventure!

We decided once we got the the train station our destination and opted for a train ticket to Hexham in Northumberland. The train had already arrived by the time we got to the station.... good timing us! We set off and on the train we discussed where we should hop off the train and opted for Corbridge. 

We really had no plan, and just let the day happen so we headed out of the station and headed for the town centre.... The houses are literally country side goals. Stunning country houses nestled in the Northumberland countryside with the sun breaking through the clouds. We spent alot of time swooning at the houses and the views....

We popped into some of the little shops for a mooch, and discovered a little independent bakery. The produce looked so good, that we couldn't not go in for a peak. The Lemon Curd French Meringues were calling our names, so needless to say we couldn't resist! Shortcake, quiche, beer bread.... Mmm. They are literally the size of my head and can't wait to tuck in to some with my family after lunch with whipped cream.

Tea & Tipple saved us from a little rain shower when we dove in for a coffee and a scone. This was so nice for a little sit down and to chill. The staff were lovely and the jam is delicious!

After the treats, we headed back to the train station and even though we had to wait about 30 minutes for our train, the wait in the sun (and wind) was so enjoyable. I really do think we could all do this more, living in a world where we our tied to our phones and technology - getting the chance to get out in the countryside and breathe in some country air really has been refreshing for me.

Until next time... 

The Original Redhead 

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A Taste Of Sunderland: Restaraunt Week Preview

So if you read my last post about Sunderland Restaurant Week you'll be familiar with what is to follow. If you missed it (you can read about it here), let me fill you in. Last year, Sunderland hosted their first ever Sunderland Restaurant Week which celebrated what the city has to offer in eateries. sprinkled with offers and deals giving people the opportunity to try lots of different dishes. So it's up again for year number to, and to show you all what they're offering I got to test out a few of the establishments involved. Just like last time, we started off at Café Purple - which is a 2 minute walk from the metro station for people travelling by public transport. We started off with an array of cocktails, if you're looking for insta shots, this is your place!

 

 

 

After the delicious cocktails, we were presented with an antipasti sharing board. This had a selection of cheeses, meats, fruit, dipping sauces, carrots & nuts. I didn't know where to start but their last cheese board was amazing so I dove in! I would recommend this if you're looking just to snack with the girls over a few drinks or if you're looking for a lovely sharing starter before a main dish. The blue cheese is so moreish and paired with the fruit and dips this has something for everyone...

 

 

 

 

 

Moving on from Café Purple, we then headed to Royale Thai. A restaurant which we did not visit last time round so this was a new experience. We were brought wine to the table - I love a glass of red when eating. We waited for the food to arrive which were sharing platters with a little of everything including spring rolls, chick satays, fish & golden dumplings.

 

 

 

 

My personal favourites were the spring rolls and the chicken satays!

 

 

 

After scoffing starters we gallivanted to next on the agenda. City Bistro which is ran by Sunderland College's culinary students. On entering, the scene is set with low lighting, tables set beautifully with wine glasses and cutlery and ambient music playing in the background. For me, this was a lovely setting to dine in. It truly felt like a top restaurant and you wouldn't even think this is ran by student. We were presented with a menu and we got to pick from a selection. I went for the cod with cauliflower, fondant potato, herb crumb & parley cream whilst others opted for a chicken breast or vegetarian leek option.

 

 

 

 

The cod was cooked to absolute perfection, a little over seasoned on the skin side for my liking but I that's just preference. The fondant potato and parley cream were the perfect accompaniment for the cod. A dish I would recommend hands down and also would recommend taking a visit if you've never ventured there yourself.

 

 

 

If you're loving the look of this place, it makes for a lovely venue for special occasions as they do taster menus from 5, 7 or 10 courses. 5 courses is £30, 7 comes in at £38 and then a whopping 10 courses for just £45. Considering the quality of the food, paired with the setting and attention to detail I think the prices are superb for an alacarte style menu. I think this seriously is a hidden gem in Sunderland if you're looking for fine dining in a city setting, City Bistro is one to watch.

 

 

 

Moving on from City Bistro, we went to Port of Call. This was visited last time around but not for desserts. I ordered a black coffee after all of the food I needed a little caffeine kick! Then with pancake day on the horizon we ordered pancakes with a selection of toppings. I opted for the traditional lemon & sugar.

 

 

 

 

Whilst waiting for pancakes to arrive, a dessert board arrived - basically a sugar overload! This included cakes, missispi mud pie... I think?? And an oreo jar filled with Oreo goodness. I tried the chocolate cake which reminded me of the cake from fave childhood movie, Matilda. Chocolate cake. Needs no explination, good and chocolatey. I didn't dare try anything else but temptation crossed my mind! I awaited my pancakes but after a long day and then the clock ticking late in the evening with slow service I had to leave before they arrived. Which was a shame considering the dessert board but it had been quite some time...

 

 

 

 Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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