Trying out the latest cut at Tomahawk Steakhouse, Potto

If you're from in and around Teesside you will have heard of the new restaurant in town, Tomahawk Steakhouse. What used to be The Dog and Gun in Potto has now been taken over and transformed into a modern, trendy steakhouse specialising in meat. Established by the people behind the Lotus Lounge, Tomahawk has now been open for seven months, so I thought it was about time I tried it out.

Organised by my fellow food-lover Rachel, we decided to go for the Early-Bird Menu which was fantastic value for money. I went for two courses at £13.50 whilst Rachel opted for all three at £15.95.

On arrival into the car park, we were greeted by two life-sized fake cows which confirmed to us that we were in the right place. The layout of the restaurant is very much the same as it was when it was The Dog and Gun but it seems much more modern with lots of clean colours and wooden furniture.

After a quick browse at the menu, it was time to order. Rachel chose the Salt and Pepper Squid to start which she thoroughly enjoyed. For our main course and dessert, we happened upon the same options; 8oz 28-day Himalayan salt dry-aged rump steak followed by Vanilla Creme Brûlée.

Although I'm not a fan of pink meat, I decided to have my steak cooked medium as the past few times that I've gone for medium to well, I haven't enjoyed it. When it came it was pretty pink in the middle but it tasted great. The steak was really flavourful and I paired it with a Diane sauce which was very rich. The chips and salad that accompanied it were perfect too.

Next up was dessert and having only had Creme Brûlée once before so I'm not able to tell what's a good one and what isn't, but this was pretty tasty. The little shortbread biscuit that came with it was good for breaking through the sickly sweet topping.

Overall I had a really great time at Tomahawk. The interior is elegant, the staff are very friendly and the food is really fantastic quality and full of flavour. If you're looking for a new spot to try in the North East, this should definitely be on your list.

Top 5 restaurants for a nice meal in Teesside

Eating out in Teesside has gotten progressively better over the past couple of years. More new eateries have been popping up serving up some delicious grub. Whenever people ask me if I'd like to go out for a meal, my answer is always YES. As I've said before, I do love to cook, but being out and getting your food cooked for you is always a treat.

Although I haven't visited all the restaurants I want to in the area yet, I have compiled my list of my top 5 restaurants to visit for a fancy meal. If you're in need of a place to eat which will provide great food for a special occasion or date night, these are the ones to visit!

Cena, Yarm
Cena (I think pronounced Chena) is a serious hit in our household. A modern Italian restaurant situated on Yarm high street with a menu full of delicious carbs. They have an authentic fire pizza oven in which they do some brilliant pizzas with a whole host of toppings. On our most recent visit, I had a starter of butternut squash arancini balls, which seriously amazing, then I had mushroom rigatoni bake (below) for mains. It was oh so creamy and delicious. I'm obsessed with mushroom pasta dishes so this ticked all the boxes. This is somewhere I'd visit every week if I could.

Crathorne Arms, Yarm
Crathorne Arms is a country pub hidden away in the little town of Crathorne. Boasting some delicious choices, this place is super cosy and perfect for a romantic meal or a family outing. Always an option on the menu for all the family, this is quality food in a picturesque setting.

Meze Lounge, Middlesbrough
Meze Lounge is a Turkish restaurant situated just out of the centre of town on Linthorpe road. It's a small space that serves some amazing authentic food. I always fall a little bit more in love with this place every time I visit. I must admit, I only ever go for chicken or falafels but they do them so well and the extras you get are so good!



The Curing House, Middlesbrough
One of my most recent finds, the Curing House is a charcuterie bar and restaurant serving up some quality cuts of meat and unique cheeses as well as a selection of other fantastic meals. The interior of this restaurant is gorgeous with a stunning retro-feel that is definitely a place to get dressed up for. Don't think that this is only for meat-eaters. I had an amazing butternut squash risotto (see below) with blocks of little blue cheese and breaded tofu.

Peking Garden, Stockton
Okay, so this one maybe a little bit more low-key, but definitely a good place for a celebratory dinner. Peking Garden is on Stockton high street and boasts all you can eat Chinese food. With a buffet concept, but a menu ordering system, at the Peking Garden, you can order as much food as you want and they will bring it all fresh to your table. Be sensible with this, as they may charge you for wastage, but have fun with it. Going in a big group is definitely advised so you can try a bit of everyone's choice!

These are my top five but you may have some other favourites. Let me know as I'd love to visit all the best restaurants on Teesside!

Have you been to any of these already? If you haven't already visited, which is first on your list??

Pinterest friendly! Get pinning!

Trying another inner city food spot | Solita, Northern Quarter - Manchester

When we visit big UK cities we are always on the lookout for good food joints. Not because we don’t have good food here in Middlesbrough but because in cities they seem to have so much more choice with eateries popping up all the time to cater for the thousands of people who mill through the city on a daily basis.

Before we headed off to Manchester on Friday we had a nosy online at places as well as asking friends for their recommendations. Solita was high on people’s list to recommend for a lunchtime bite. Located in an easy to find corner of the Northern Quarter, Solita is a small but spacious restaurant offering a selection of burgers, hot dogs and grilled meat options. There were so many creative items on the menu like deep-fried pickles, sweet potato balls and pizza fries. All very interesting but also super calorific!

Unusually for myself and Matt, we didn't go for a beef burger. This was a real shocker for both of us. Instead, Matt went for a loaded hot dog and I went for a deep-fried chicken burger. Both just as tasty as I imagine their beef burgers to be.

Our meals came in super quick time and were just as delicious as they sounded on the menu. My chicken burger was massive, there was no way I was getting through it all but I gave it a good go. The batter on the chicken was amazing, so crispy and seasoned brilliantly. With my burger and chips came a pot of gravy which is always welcome on my plate. It was such a yummy lunch but afterwards, I was soo full and I hadn't even eaten it all. Matt really enjoyed his hot dog, although he did comment that there too much other gear, i.e the bread and toppings, in comparison to the hot dog itself. He did agree that Solita was somewhere we'd definitely recommend to friends.

Have you been to Solita in Manchester? What did you think?

Exploring Bedford Street Independents

If you're hip and happening living in Middlesbrough you will have heard of the new place to be, Bedford Street. A redeveloped section in central Middlesbrough, Bedford Street hosts a selection of restaurants and bars all fresh and diverse. I wanted to give you a virtual tour along the street and you can see what you fancy from the comfort of your sofa. Then obviously hop a taxi to Bedford Street to fill your boots with great food and drink!

First up is Songbird Bakery. A beautiful little spot selling a wide selection of the cutest and most delicious cakes. If you want somewhere to chill out with a cup of tea and a cake, this is the perfect spot. If you don't have enough time to stick around you can always take some cupcakes away, maybe even pick one up for a friend?

Next on the street is the Nuthatch. For cocktail lovers, this is what Middlesbrough has been crying out for. This sophisticated space boasts a huge menu filled with more alcohol then you could even try to name. The cocktail list is extensive and having personally taste-tested a couple, I can say they taste pretty darn good!

To read more about the Nuthatch and see some fancy photos, head over to Megan's blog - Thumbelina Lillie.

Down from the Nuthatch is Barbarossa Pizza Kitchen & Bar. Barbarossa specialises in creating delicious pizzas from fresh ingredients and cooking them up in their authentic pizza oven. When we visited the restaurant was bustling with all ages with everyone looking to enjoy their food. Definitely somewhere to stop if you're hungry for a pizza!

If you'd like to read about our visit to Barbarossa, click here.

Another micro-pub to add to Middlesbrough's collection although this one is a little larger than the others. The Chairman is a good spot for a casual drink serving a selection of beers, wines and spirits. I ventured here late on a Friday night for drinks trying out some different tasting vodkas including salted caramel and orange. It was a good atmosphere with lots of seating which I loved as I hate standing on a night out! I didn't try it but the Chairman also has a food menu which lots of people are loving.

Taken by Gianni - The G Edit

If you're looking for a good cup of coffee whilst wandering down the street, I suggest you visit Bedford Street Coffee House. Although I'm not a coffee drinker and haven't actually visited here yet, this place looks very trendy and the coffee looks amazing. Here they literally buzz off the coffee offering only the best, presented ready for your Instagram reel.

To read more about Bedford Street Coffee House and Rounton Coffee Roasters visit Gianni's blog, The G Edit.



I'm a real burrito lover so I knew that Mohujos Burrito Bar was going to be one of my favourite additions to Middlesbrough. I was not disappointed. The shop is small as it's only really meant for takeaway although it does have two small tables. The selection to pick from was great and I ended up with a burrito full to the brim of goodness. I will definitely be returning for another, and possibly some nachos!

To read more about Mohujos Burrito Bar check out the Gazette's article.

I love Bedford Street and will be visiting these restaurants again and again. Let me know if you've been to any of the places on Bedford Street and what you think of them!

Pin for later!

SaveSave

Getting my burrito on - Changos, Manchester

I don't know if I've expressed my love for the humble burrito on my blog before, but if not, today is the day. I bloody love them. When made correctly they are filling, tasty and full of goodness (well partly). Depending on what you choose as your filling, the accompaniments of rice, beans, salsa and salad with sauces and guacamole for good measure all complement it brilliantly.

Like I say, I'm obsessed. When I was down in Manchester recently for work I stumbled across a right gem in my world of Mexican food. Changos isn't a chain, just the one restaurant nestled on Oxford Street in Manchester, offering home-made, flavoursome and nutritious Mexican cuisine at a great price. I must admit, it's colourfully designed interior drew me in and when I realised it was a burrito bar I was rushing through the doors.

Stopping for a quick but late lunch, I decided on a medium chicken burrito filled with all the good stuff. I accompanied it with a guava Jarrito which is a popular brand of soft drink in Mexico that is naturally flavoured. Everything about the experience at Changos was brilliant. There was a lot of choices when making up my burrito, although I turned down a few items, I still came away with a good-sized burrito.

My lunch was delicious, full of flavour with all the different aspects working together. The guava drink was unusual but very nice. I definitely want to try other flavours from Jarritos. When I'm in Manchester again, I'll be seeking Changos out again for another burrito, even maybe a side of nachos. Go all out with the carbs!

Has anyone been to Changos? Who else shares my love of burritos?

Take the dog for a cuppa at Wags and Whiskers, Stockton

I don't actually have any pets, although I did grow up with them. We had dogs, cats, fish, birds, lizards, rabbits and guinea pigs. At its peak, our house was described as a zoo! Now I've moved out and Mum has the house to herself she has two dogs, two cats and is also looking after my sister's dog. It's always nice to pop round and see the animals as I can't see myself getting any of my own anytime soon. I get all the nice aspects of the dogs without having the bad bits!

Recently the pet shop that Mum frequents, Wags and Whiskers, opened a new cafe. The cafe is special in that it not only allows dogs, but it welcomes them, offering a dog-only section of the menu. On Saturday we popped along with Mum's chihuahua Peggy to see what it had to offer. 

We arrived at about 10.30am hungry for some much-needed breakfast. The cafe is located in Stockton, down Finkle Street, a popular little patch for small hearty cafes. When we arrived there were many wet noses and waggy tails enjoying their grub, eager to greet us. The cafe was bright, airy and very clean. Dog bowls were dotted across the floor to cater for customer's furry friends.

We got a seat and had a pursue at the menu whilst Peggy became acquainted with the other dogs visiting the canine cafe. I was really in the mood for some beans on toast so was a little disappointed to see no beans on the menu. Despite my initial disappointment, I settled for a cheese and tomato toastie with a pot of good ol' Yorkshire Tea.

Peggy had a bit of choice on her menu with a selection of treats including doggy beer, pupcakes and cookies. Once she'd quelled her initial excitement she finally decided on a doggy doughnut. Although a bit tough to get into, once Mum cut it up for her she was thoroughly enjoying it.

Our toasties came and they were lovely, just what we needed. This cafe is such a lovely addition to Stockton bringing together lots of dog lovers and their four-legged friends. It's such a lovely environment will all the other customers.  You definitely can't come in for a quiet brew with your pup as everyone wants to see everyone else's dogs. This is great though as it is so different from other places where everyone would be silent, on their phones or unresponsive to other diners. Even if you don't have a dog, but love them, you can come down have a scone and a cup of tea and be surrounded by other people's dogs.

Want to try the best steak of your life? F.X. Buckley Steakhouse, Dublin

Before we went away to Dublin we were told we should visit F.X. Buckley Steakhouse for what was described by Matt's Dad as the best steak he'd ever had. With that glowing of a recommendation and it being located only a stone's throw away from our hotel, it would have been rude not to visit. The night before we flew home it started to rain, so we asked a very lovely Irish taxi driver to run us up the road to the steakhouse and he kindly obliged not even taking a fare for the trip. 

When we arrived, we were directed upstairs to the steakhouse and swiftly seated. For a Sunday night, it was quite busy with a huge group at the back of the room celebrating a birthday. The restaurant had a very classy feel to it without being too pretentious. The walls were adorned with navy and white stripes which reminded me of a butchers apron which is very apt in a restaurant serving only the top quality meats. 

Although we were there for the steaks, I couldn't sway myself from getting anything from the menu other than the Beef and Guinness pie. When you're in the home of Guinness its a must. Matt chose a sirloin steak and we also ordered some sides of creamed spinach with parmesan and baked creamed cauliflower gratin.

The pie was absolutely stunning. Filled with juicy wholesome pieces of beef, covered in flaky pastry accompanied by mashed potato with spring onion and a delicious drizzle of gravy, it was divine. I also tried a slither of the steak and could see what all the fuss was about. Even though Matt prefers his steak a little more red than me, I could get past that and appreciate the great piece of meat.

I was extremely pleased with my selection and chowed down on as much as I could handle, ultimately having to leave some or else I would have exploded. We decided after our food that that was all we'd have, only for a moment later to be thinking about desserts. We gave ourselves a good-sized break before we chose a cheeky dessert. As this was a weekend of firsts, having had our first Thai food the night before, I selected a vanilla creme brûlée as I'd always wanted to try it. It wasn't what I was expecting but it was lovely, a little too sweet for me to be able to finish it but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Matt went with his usual of sticky toffee pudding and he enjoyed it but found the slate a little hard to eat from.

We had a brilliant night in F.X. Buckley, despite there being a very rowdy birthday crowd in for the duration of our visit. The food was delicious and the vibe was suitably chilled. If you are a meat lover and heading to Dublin, this is certainly one for you. There are a number of F.X Buckley restaurants in Dublin, we visited the restaurant above Ryan's on Parkgate Street.

Time for food and a movie - Tyneside Bar Café Review

A typical date night for the majority of people involves going out for a meal and then on to the cinema for a film. So what could be better than the place you are visiting for food being right next door to the cinema! Established by the same people who run the Tyneside Cinema, the Tyneside Bar Café is their latest venture combining great food and drink with the delights of cinema.

Me and Matt visited recently to see what it was all about and try some of the lovely food. We arrived at around 1.30pm on a Saturday afternoon and the place was very busy so we struggled to find a seat we were comfortable in. After playing musical chairs as people left, we finally settled right at the back of the venue in some cosy seats. It seems the cafe has tried to fit in as many tables as possible which means everyone is a little bit on top of each other and trying to get through the tables is a bit of a maze. When it is less busy I'm sure this is fine but when all the tables are taken it is a bit of a hazard.

When we were settled we went up to the bar and ordered our food which was done quickly and with ease! They have a great selection of alcoholic drinks but we both settled on soft drinks, I went for a Fentimans Cherrytree cola for a change. For our meals, I picked the Tyneside cinema hot dog in a brioche bun with onions and fries and Matt settled on the royale with cheese which was a ground rib burger in a soft bun with Olgeshield cheese, gherkins and fries. Mine was lovely but a tad messy to eat especially when I added the tomato sauce! Matt enjoyed his and said it was a really good burger.

For dessert, we decided to get the cookies and milk and the popcorn pannacotta. I picked the cookies and they were delicious and warm! Not sure if I had milk or cream with them though as it was quite thick and frothy but it was lovely on the cookies. We picked the pannacotta to try between the two of us but we weren't really keen on it. I think as neither of us had had pannacotta before we weren't sure what to expect!

Overall we had a lovely time at the Tyneside Bar Café, the food was lovely, the service was brilliant, we just thought it was a little overcrowded. If we were local I think we'd be down quite a bit to catch some of the free films they screen whilst enjoying some food.

*Food was provided free for review. All comments are honest.