Harissa Kitchen: Tasty Flavours & Chocolate Surprise

You all know, eating out is my favourite thing to do. So I've been eating out once again after being invited to a lovely new eatery in Newcastle. Harissa Kitchen invited me down last week so I thought I'd go along and see what all the fuss was about.
 

 

 

 

Nestled in a little pocket of Sandyford (about a 3 minute walk from Jesmond metro) this perfectly minimal restaurant sits. Easily accessible: Check. Beautiful Exterior: Check. Harissa Kitchen aim to provide food which is healthy, fresh, and free from any unnecessary fats, sugars and also sourced locally if possible. They even have their own allotment for fresh veggies!! I'm currently on a new journey of fitness and trying to create a stronger mind as well as body so a place like this is great. Lots of healthy dishes packed with flavour.... And they do takeaway too. Perfect.

 

 

 

 

On entering this lovely place, the décor is the first thing you notice. The white wash walls matched with hints of yellow and blue, sprinkled with greenery give the illusion that you're on holiday submerged in the Mediterranean.   

 

 

 

 We were greeted by the lovely owner who was very friendly and instantly offered us a drink. I opted for water with ice.

 

 

 

Love these cushions (and they're surprisingly comfy to sit against)

 

 

 

Even the napkins are white & blue! The attention to detail in this place is so great, they're really aware of their brand.

 

 

 

 

Once the drinks had arrived, we were served with a selection of marinated olives, Harissa house pickles, & spiced roasted nuts (£2.50 each.) The pickled veg were so yummy (reminded me a little of pickled veg common in Japanese cooking, olives I'm a huge fan of so these scored points with me and the nuts were so unexpected... I thought they'd be salty but they had a lovely soft mixture of honey flavours.

 

 

 

I choose the chicken breast kebab which is garnished with Harissa spicy yoghurt & chargrilled orange (£8.80). It was served on a bed of cous cous mixed with herbs. This was so tasty and the yoghurt was a nice change instead of a regular sauce or paste. I shared a table with the lovely Laura from lookatmyclothes.co.uk and we ordered a side of chargrilled halloumi (£4.50), tahini (yum) and steamed broccoli (£3.50).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I loved the way this kebab was served. I expected it to either be on a skewer or wrapped up but this was a great way to eat is as you can really explore all of the different flavours. After digging in I realised the chicken was cooked to absolute perfection! I also enjoyed dipping my flatbread in the tahini dip (made from sesame seeds which I have indulged in on many trips to Cyprus.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  The broccoli was delicious... I am a lover of vegetables so this place was great for my taste buds. The steamed broccoli is seasoned with chilli sauce and toasted sesame seeds. Another twist of flavours which are delicious.

 

 

 

So just when I thought I had finished... they offered desserts. And of course, it would have been rude not to try something they had to offer. The chocolate ganache was new to the menu so it's not on there but we were offered it. I took the risk and I'm so glad I did. Super yummy & so moreish!

 

 

Rich chocolate flavour with a dash of tangy lemon & cream...

 

 

 

Reasonably priced and a great company ethos of healthy food which is fresh and close to home.  

 

 

 

 

They have a few pieces which have been made by local artists which makes me fall even more in love with this place & what they stand for! They have a lovely oxidised copper light & they also have some beautiful gold leafed tiles & exterior signage by traditional sign writer Ashley Willerton, who is super talented so check him out! (Didn't manage to get any photos of the tiles as I was swept away by the warm welcome & food) but if you call by, take a peak. 

 

 

 

The network of Edison bulbs create a soft inviting glow as the city begins to lose lights. I'd test anyone to pass and not feel the urge to go sit in this cool little place. Oh, and their music game is totally on point.... The chilled out vibes are all over this. Just what I need.

This was a perfect time to catch up with Jen, Ruth, Nicola & Suzanne. Can't wait for the next catch up.

 

 Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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Scotland adventures

About a month ago I was contacted by make up artist, Josephine Birkett. I have worked with Josephine on numerous photo shoots and events. Her talent, skill and knowledge is impeccable and I love working with her lovely self! When she contacted I was happy to know that she was asking me to accompany her to a day in Glasgow. Jo works for global cosmetic company Mac. They go through extensive training and they have to take certs. There is different levels and Josephine asked me to be her model for her Advanced Certs.

 

 

 

 

In this level the make up artists have to compete a series of techniques. They are literally given a look on the day in which they have to complete to their best ability to look like the visual they are supplied with dl have certain time frames to complete each one.

We were up super early and headed to the train station. Mac decide who is they think is ready so there I always a few girls from each store travelling together. We got he train from Newcastle to Edinburgh, then a connection from Edinburgh to Glasgow. I absolutely adore Scotland so I was excited and thoroughly enjoyed travelling with the girls and seeing beautiful views from the train window! Spending summers driving through Scotland with family when I was young has most certainly stuck with me....

 

Anyway, we got to Glasgow and I was starry eyed being in this stunning city. We walked down the main street and entered Frasers where the Mac seems so much more like essential centre piece of the store rather than just a concession. We made it to the room where the certs were being held and all the artists set up their kit. Legendary Cher Webb was supposed to attend - for anyone who doesn't know, Cher does a lot of London shows and works on the make up looks for a lot of runways. No pressure then! She was poorly so another assessor had to judge on her own whilst photographing everyone's looks in which her and Cher could make a fair unanimous decision between themselves over the weekend.

 

The atmosphere was kind o relaxed but obviously all of the artists were tense and a little nervous. The looks included brows, skin, lashes, highlight and contour, lips and eyeliner.

 

 

 

 

 The skin look was a flawless matte effect with a no make up effect. The highlight and contour look was also very natural.

 

 

The brow was a very specific shape, quite a high rounded arch with a long tail.

 

 

 

 

The next look was the eyeliner. The visual was quite difficult to see from but it was quite dramatic with very straight flicks at each side. It was almost a straight line from the inner, under the eye to the outer flick. But obviously this will vary depending on the shape of the models eyes.

 

 

 

 

 

We then took a break for lunch. I totally rocked this eyeliner around the streets of Glasgow while we got a bite to eat! The next look after lunch was lashes. The look was a very 60's inspired look with sections missing so some were longer than others. Very Twiggy I thought!

 

 

 

 

The lip was next...  It was a super straight lip with a shallow cupid bow and very full on the bottom. For these looks they mark based on colour match, colour, texture and shape. The visual was a very vibrant red...

 

 

 

 

There was another technique they had to complete after tis which was tattoo coverage. Since I have no tattoos I sat this one out but was good to watch them all at work...

 

 

 

 

All finished!

Every time Josephine does my make up it literally lasts for hours after! Here's some snaps of it once I as hoe. My lips are literally perfect and I was so in love that it took my ages to get the courage to remove it all! *sadface*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I actually love these lashes applied in this style. I think they are 2's by Mac and applied in sections. Jo cut the full strip in to smaller pieces and applied, I kind of look like a doll but I'm totally cool with that. I think I could even wear this on a night out. Madly in love with this look!



Wearing my Miss Taylors Belted Coat. Read the full blog about Miss Taylors HERE.


Don't forget to check out Josephine's Facebook Page, website and other social media! I cannot recommend her any more that I already do. She takes bookings for photo shoots, weddings/trials, events, birthday/weekend looks, face painting (she is CRB checked.) Take a peak at her work!