Our new work lunch spot - Aurum Lounge, Middlesbrough

Everyone loves to get out of the office at lunchtime, especially on a Friday, to go and out to eat. Sometimes you try to be healthy but other times it's all about the treats.  I work just outside of Middlesbrough town centre and there aren't many places to eat lunch around us that are great. Most places are too expensive, over-run by students or the food just isn't the best.

If you want the good stuff you have to trek all the way to the other side of town and then you are cutting into your time to eat. Recently a restaurant has opened 2 minutes from my work and I've just tried it out, not once, but twice.

The Aurum Lounge is a restaurant come shisha bar, offering a menu of organic gourmet food. From burgers and salads to steaks and extravagant desserts, Aurum Lounge provides the lot. I first visited with my Mum and I had the chicken burger, whilst she had the parmo with mushroom.

I really enjoyed my chicken burger, although it was a little too spicy for me, but then I'm just a wimp with spices! Mum's parmo was nice, although I think it could have done with more bechamel sauce.

The second time I visited was a week later with my friend from work and we both decided on the chicken wrap. Although it still had the spicy taste, this time it seemed a lot milder and I really enjoyed it. All the food is really good quality and they take great care in preparing your meal.

I really like the Aurum Lounge, it is a really calm, chilled out vibe. All the staff are friendly and happy to help with any request. I will definitely be back to try out more of their menu, maybe even tasting one of their desserts!

Chilli Cake Deli Review - Baker Street, Middlesbrough

I love eating out, probably just as much as I love cooking. It is so easy, and fun to try out new places and new foods. A few weeks back myself and Jen decided to check out Chilli Cake Deli on Baker Street in Middlesbrough.

Chilli Cake Deli is located at Zero Baker Street and sells a collection of yummy deli treats!

Jen had the grilled halloumi and giant spicy couscous salad whilst I had a sandwich called the truffle man including hot chicken, watercress & mustard mayo drizzled with truffle oil (it does come with Doreen's black pudding but I passed on that).

The place itself is very easy to find, small inside but lovely and cute. There are four stooled seating areas and one sofa area with the deli counter at the back of the room. You can see the kitchen over the deli which is a nice touch.

We ordered our food and sat down and they brought our food and drink to the table. I thoroughly enjoyed my sandwich and I believe Jen really liked her salad too.

I don't really have a bad word to say about this place as they have a quaint location, lovely staff and a great selection of food. If you fancy some lunch in Middlesbrough then I would suggest trying out the Chilli Cake Deli!

Have you been before?

The Baker Street Kitchen, Middlesbrough

Trying out new places to eat is kind of my thing. I don't stick to one favourite, but rather try out lots of new places that people recommend to me. In Middlesbrough there aren't an abundance of cool trendy restaurants to eat at so when The Baker Street Kitchen opened I was really excited to go!

The Baker Street Kitchen is on the corner of Baker Street, an up and coming section of town featuring a unique collection of independent retailers and service providers, facing on to Albert Street in the centre of town. They describe themselves as - "A new cafe/bistro for Middlesbrough in the heart of the independent shopping quarter, with an emphasis on homemade food including cakes, cookies, soups, breakfasts, daily specials, good coffee, and food to go."

My boyfriend and I tried this out on its opening day to see if it would be somewhere to rave about.

The Baker Street Kitchen looks like somewhere you'd find in London. It is so well presented, with chalkboard menus lining the walls, wooden tables and chairs filling the space and a gorgeous counter to order food from. The owners of this bistro have definitely taken their time to think about how they wanted it to look, even using small milk bottles filled with water and rosemary to decorate the tables. Their branding is very clean and edgy, feeling a lot like the London underground with their quirky take on a station stop sign as their logo.

On to the food... I ordered a jacket potato with beans and coleslaw whilst Matt ordered a ham, mushroom and cheese omelette. Both were immaculately presented with my coleslaw coming on its own side plate and us both having a simple side salad to accompany our food. I really enjoyed my jacket potato and Matt thoroughly enjoyed his omelette.

This place is just what Middlesbrough needed; somewhere simple, clean and trendy to enjoy breakfast, lunch or an early tea where you can watch the world pass you by. I am very keen to see what desserts they have next time I go as I did see pancakes listed on the menu.

Have you tried this The Baker Street Kitchen? What did you think?

Off to Whitby for Fish and Chips - Trenchers, Whitby

Earlier this month after a trip to Saltburn Vintage Fair we were stuck as to where to go for lunch. Mum suggested we make the trip to Whitby for fish and chips. I was definitely up for fish and chips plus she was driving so it meant I could just take in the scenery. As we trudged down there it was raining, foggy and just plain horrid, however, when we arrived the sun came out and it became a lovely day.

We went straight for fish and chips to a place called Trenchers. If you have been to Whitby before you will have probably heard of this place as people regard it as one of Whitby's best fish and chip restaurants.

I got a small cod and chips and it still looked huge! I couldn't finish it all but had a good go at it. The prices are a bit expensive but I think you expect that for fish these days. The restaurant is lovely and posh, very tidy and spacious. Whenever I go back to Whitby I would consider visiting Trenchers again as it was a nice place.

Here are a few token Whitby shots for you to enjoy!

Have you been to Whitby before? Did you go to Trenchers? What are your thoughts?