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/

Intermezzo

Intermezzo is a cool cafe-bar packed neatly into the corner of Tyneside Cinema. It has an Italian cafe/bar charm with the red leather, patio doors and shelf of liqueurs behind the counter. They open late every night and offer wine, beers and a menu of almost fifty cocktails (£5). Their cocktail menu competes with any of the cocktail bars in town with an added bonus of a range of coffee cocktails. They have a small selection of panini's and pastries available too.

It's a tight fit inside Intermezzo, but they have plenty of outside seating which adds to the Italian atmosphere. It's a smokers paradise. The music is cool and contemporary which very much defines intermezzo. The coffee is rich and strong (Americano £2.10), served in the smaller continental style cups. There is a very arty atmosphere which is odd as there is very little art work, mainly due to the fact that there isn't much wall space.


Intermezzo is perfect for an after work coffee or glass of wine, depending on the day you've had I guess. Any visit to Tyneside Cinema should either start or finish with a trip to this cool little coffee shop.


Open: 
Monday-Saturday: 8am-11pm
Sunday 11am-11pm.


Wifi available, Cocktails & Wine, Smoker Friendly.