Climb Newcastle

Climb Newcastle is a fantastic indoor Bouldering Wall in Byker next to the Metro Station. Bouldering is climbing without a harness, normally climbing many short routes with crash pads below. It's a great form of exercise that can be as relaxing and stretching or hard pushing and challenging as you like. 
Climb Newcastle was set up three years ago by three climbers with a vision, they retro-fitted the Byker Swimming Pool into an accessible centre for climbing. They run introductory and intermediate classes while also running a dedicated children's climbing wall for parties or classes.


The staff are friendly and relaxed, the atmosphere is casual. When I visited, it was quiet enough to really get stuck into the climbing, but busy enough to chat with the more experienced climbers. Who were open to talk over technique and the routes.
The climbing wall has colour coded routes that indicate varying difficulty (difficulty is graded in numbers, the higher the grade, the harder the climb) and average twenty routes for each category. Which is great if you are not sure what to. Don't let that number fool you, although it takes between one and five minutes to complete a route, it's a good burn. Due to my unconditioned soft hands my climbing was cut short, but Climb Newcastle also has a conditioning room with various exercise toys to build strength and condition climbing muscles, this room also leads into a smaller climbing room that is for serious climbers that want to strengthen their hands by gripping impossibly small hold, and I mean Impossible!!

Happy with myself for being so active, I treated myself to a cappuccino, at their own coffee shop! Serving a range of tea's, energy drinks and the usual range of coffee's, I happily relaxed with my cappuccino in the small cafe area that plays climbing video's, nice inspiration for climbers. The notice board advertises lots of events and competitions that they host or take part in, these guys are serious about climbing.
Climb Newcastle also has a equipment shop, selling climbing shoes, chalk, clothing (both climbing and casual), crash pads and a range of other climbing dedicated stock.


Climb Newcastle is a great place to learn to climb with enthusiastic and friendly staff, various courses and a great range of things to climb! There is a small annual membership for £3.50 with a day session session costing £7(concessions available). Which felt pricey considering my fitness limited my climb, but there is no time limit and the option to sign out and come back later in the day (with the option of getting fitter). Shoe hire is an extra £2.50.


Climb Newcastle is convenient, relevant to beginners and seasoned climbers with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. For more information, visit their website.
www.climbnewcastle.com


Open:
Monday-Friday: 12-10pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am-8pm

Rob French's Auto Services

It's that time of year to put my car in for it's M.O.T. I drive on average three times a week and take a decent journey about once a fortnight, I check the oil and the wheels once a month. I'm no home mechanic but I keep my car in good condition considering I have no garage. That hasn't stopped past M.O.T bills being through the roof. Each time I'd taken my car to one particular national chain, because I'd seen the name around, they were open at fairly convenient times and have nice shiny signs and receptions. Nobody had recommended them, I'd just assumed they'd be good. Each bill I had been given, I just found myself with that feeling of "I'm being Ripped-Off". I don't think it was the case completely, I'm not that bitter, but I just thought sometimes that particular charges had been a little over the top. I would say that the chain garage is often chosen for convenience, consumers want their car serviced in their time and they simply don't know where else to go.

So with "I Buy Newcastle" in mind I asked around, one business owner I spoke with directed me to French Auto Services behind Westgate Road (the road with all the motorcycle shops). He was a very interesting man who'd lived and worked in Newcastle all his life, I couldn't help but completely trust this man. I called up and booked in my car for a basic Service and M.O.T appointment the next day.

It wasn't too hard to find, the garage is on 93 Corporation Street (see location tag below). It is a simple garage, no frills. I don't want a latte while I wait, so I don't have a problem with it. I was met by Rob Whittaker the owner and he came off as friendly, hard working and professional, he took my keys and off I went. I called up later that day and my car was ready to collect. The car was serviced and went through it's M.O.T fine and the total was £121. A very fair price for what I felt was a fair job. I felt treated fairly, I wasn't patronized or given any jargon, I drove away happy and I'll be recommending French Auto Services to anyone who asks.

Open Monday til Friday 8am-5pm.

http://www.frenchautoservices.co.uk/

Call 0191-232-1541

The First Month

Over the past month I have chosen to buy as much as possible from local traders and support local talent instead of the national chains and international brands. I believe as a community we can support each other through supporting local commerce. Our city is unique and full of character and life and one way to maintain that, is to help our own businesses to survive the economic slump. So where possible I have found local alternatives. This has been an odd experience which has been full of pleasant surprises.


Firstly, the cost of shopping local has not always been more expensive than bigger chain shops and in some cases I found the product or service to be much better value. Central Bean Coffee House has similar prices to high street coffee chains and in my opinion has better quality and better service while the instant noodles at 7 Days supermarket are cheaper and better tasting than any SuperNoodle I've ever had!


Secondly, the places I've visited have been far more exciting and interesting than my usual consumer travels. The atmosphere has been much more positive on the whole and real character really comes through, from friendly chats with the shop owners or the sheer bliss of being somewhere fascinating. No28 Bar & Bistro is just the height of cool and Tyneside Cinema has such an intimate and enjoyable atmosphere.


My conclusions so far are that there is a certain amount of exploration that has to be done to find local traders that offer what you are looking for. Google just isn't enough, because our local heroes' internet marketing budgets usually isn't that high. So take a long walk, a bicycle ride, a drive, just spend time around Newcastle and have a good old snoop around. You have to keep open eyes and an open mind, after a little while, you really do see Newcastle in a different light. Trying to help Newcastle this way is so satisfying and continues feeds my love for our fine city.

Mannaza Korean Restaurant

Tucked in a back street behind the Gate is Mannaza Korean Restaurant. A small modern asian eatery. It's sister company to the Sunshine Supermarket, which is next door and open the same hours as the restaurant. We had a table of nine which was no trouble for the patient and smiling staff. The menu is a fine example of Korean cuisine, a variety of soup, sizzling hot plates and rice dishes, many with a heavy hint of spice. 


I chose the Seafood Pancake (£6.90) and was not disappointed, it was one of the non-spicy dishes so I ordered a side of Kimchi (£1.50) which is thee Korean delicacy of pickled cabbages in a spicy sauce that they eat as a side dish/condiment and therefore I think a "must have" to truly get the Korean experience. 
To wash it down I had a can of Rice Punch which I now think is more of a dessert. I was bemused to see actual rice pour out into my glass, but anyway it really helped to cool the mouth after some potent kimchi.
My friends meals all looked delicious too and their clean plates confirmed this. Dishes to note was the Salmon Hotplate which was cooked to perfection, it melted in the mouth. The Tofu Kimchi Soup was a real oriental treat, not as spicy but still had a flavorsome kick.


There are a lot of truly Korean touches such as Metal Chopsticks, the Korean Music Channel playing and the Menu being written in both Korean and English. To me the number of Korean customers already proved authenticity and quality. Also one of the great thing is that if you really liked something, you can pop next door (you don't even have to exit the restaurant) and buy the ingredients from the shop!


I had to find out about the metal chopsticks, it was something I had immediately been curious about and one friend said there was a reason for it. The general belief I've found is that metal is generally better than wood or plastic because it is more durable and hygienic, but not used because it makes eating rice harder. Koreans generally use spoons to eat their rice and therefore have adopted the metal chopstick. If anyone knows otherwise, I'd love to hear it.


So for a authentic Korean nibble, I highly recommend Mannaza and what ever you order, make sure there is a side of kimchi. The restaurant is at the end of Monk St just off China Town or via a small alley way off Low Friar St.


 I must warn that they accept cash only, which can take people by surprise so be prepared.
 Mannaza serve take out as well which receives a 15% discount.


Open: 
Restaurant: Monday to Sunday 11.30am-9.30pm
Shop: Monday to Sunday 11am-11pm


Tel:01912327950

No. 28

On the edge of the Grainger Market, sitting above Nelson Street is No.28. An elegant and stylish cafe/bar/bistro. With a modest entrance and stairs up into No.28, you are immediately blown away by the funky boutique bar. It is an absolutely beautiful secret garden getaway in the middle of the city. It's cool, classy and chilled out. I loved the indoor garden, the false greenery, lamp-post, fairy lights and great mix of music set a really chilled atmosphere.


I just popped in for a light bite and a coffee, I was impressed with the menu (served from 12-8pm) and chose a Goats Cheese & Beetroot Salad (£6).  It was a little light on the goat's cheese and heavy on the onion, but it was a tasty little bite that was worth the money. I ordered an espresso after, but as the coffee machine was off, they offered me cafetiere instead. It was a very good save, it was quite a novelty to get a cafetiere jug instead of my usual espresso.


I really do love the style of this bar-bistro, they have a mezzanine level that is pure class, perfect for a weekend private party. No.28 has a 3am license on the weekend and host free club nights which I'm keen to get myself along to. I noticed some local bottled beers (Wylam £4) I'd like to sip and although I didn't see one, there must be a decent cocktail list judging by the collection of boutique spirits on the back bar.

I'll defiantly be back for a real crack at the menu with some friends (they boast a good Sunday dinner) and also looking to give the club nights a try.
I highly recommend this bar for lunch or a good chilled dinner. There is good promise for weekend drinking, but i'll let you know when I've been. 


Open:
Monday - Thursday 12-10.30pm
Friday - Sunday 12-3am


http://www.no28.co.uk

Cafe Neon

Cafe Neon is a Greek styled cafe/restaurant on the Big Market. It has some lovely Greek touches, first of all, their outside seating area and menu stand, just like walking along a high street in Zante or Athens, minus the temperate climate of course. It was that non threatening browse of the menu that enticed us in, especially the two courses for £8.95 option.
Inside is a blend of Greek landscape wall painting and modern British design, the cafe is small but has a lower floor for more seating of up to a hundred which is also available for private functions. This floor has a little more fun and quirkiness with its wall paintings and design, which we all liked.

The menu is Greek with a British blend. I couldn't resist the crispy chicken wings(£3.95) to start, they were crispy and still very meaty and came with a chunky wedge of lemon to zest them up. My date had the Set Menu (£8.95) pitta bread with tzatziki (Greek yoghurt and cucumber) and hummous which are home made and tasted so fresh. For the main course I had the pork Gyros (shredded pork in pita bread, a Greek Kebab £6.90) with potato wedges, which was meaty and filling. My date had the Beef Stifatho (Beef in a tomato stew) with rice and salad, it was simply delicious. Chunky tender beef in a rich tomato sauce, the small Greek side salad was a small treat in itself, the olive and morsel of feta cheese was rich and tasty, I almost called over the friendly waitress to order more. However I was full and instead asked her for a doggy-bag. The cafe has a pleasant atmosphere and the food can be washed down with a cocktail or Greek beer (Mythos, refreshing & crisp). I feel it is also worth mentioning that we were in a little bit of a rush and the food came promptly enough for us to enjoy our casual dinner at Cafe Neon.


Open Monday to Saturday 11am til 11pm.


Visit their website for more information.
http://neoncafe.co.uk/

Vincenzo's Italian Restaurant

Vincenzo's is modern style neighborhood Italian restaurant in Heaton near the corner of Simonside Terrace and Addycombe Terrace. As you walk in you're met by a modern style restaurant with homely Italian touches. The welcome is pleasant and quick. Even at 6pm the restaurant has a bit of hustle and bustle about it, there are families, friends and couples young and old. A really harmonious and unpretentious mix of the community.

Wine by the glass comes in red, white or rose, but for more adventurous palates the wine menu is quite reasonably priced. The food menu is a simple selection of Italian classics with a more contemporary range of dishes on their Specials page.

I chose wood-pigeon on black pudding to start, with classic bolognese as my main. After all, it is an Italian Ristorante. My date chose to start with bread and olives followed by mediterranean vegetables and pine nut pasta.

The wood-pidgion was tasty and meaty on the black pudding, the bread and olives was a mixed review, the bread was perfectly home baked (which they sell retail if you pre-order) but the olives were a little tasteless and already pitted, which gives them a processed feel that looses the romance in a good bowl of olives. When the bolognese came out, it was a simple, but it was tasty and very satisfying as was the med veg & pine nut pasta. The flavours were not the richest, but by no means were they disappointing, after the meal we were both left feeling full and contented. I feel I must also mention that a neighboring table had ordered pizza and it looked delicious. The atmosphere was ambient yet lively with the wide mix of customers and buzz of the waiters and the friendly Italian host. 

Dessert was out of the question, we were both stuffed, but they did advertise desserts to take-away which I thought was a clever touch. I finished with an espresso instead, which hit the spot perfectly to end an enjoyable meal. Another enjoyable  treat was the price, the meal with a glass of wine, starter and main course each came to just over twenty pounds. Money well spent in my opinion. We did catch the some of our meal in the Early Bird Menu but still the full price menu averages about £3-4 for starters and £6 upward for main courses.

I recommend Vincenzo's to anyone, but especially to Heaton residents as it only a pleasant short walk away.

Family Friendly, Early Bird Menu, Take-away Available.

For Resevation call +44 7725 804854

http://www.cafevincenzos.co.uk