1 St James’ Park
Specifically the fact that it is in the centre of town. God botherer, BBC pundit and former Toon Star Gavin Peacock described it as being “up on the hill, in the centre of town – where the church should be.”
Gavin, you enjoy your church and I’ll worship at mine.
On match day, the whole city knows there is a game going on. That feels right. None of your out-of-town, flatpack, identikit, blando, modern grounds here.
2 The Ouseburn Square
There are various pubs that could have made this list but all the best ones are in stumbling distance of each other. It used to be a triangle, now it’s a square. The Free Trade wins for views and old style grubbiness, The Tyne for cosiness and friendliness, The Cluny for music and the arts and The Cumberland for outside drinking and ping pong played like you’ve never seen it before.
3. Tyneside Cinema
Our arthouse cinema has been on its holidays in the the ‘heed while its old home is done up. Excitingly it’s due to re-open in the Toon this Sunday. I’m not sure what to expect of the new look site but I think we’re still going to get velvet curtained loveliness. I just hope that fabulous street level coffee bar comes back too.
It was always one of the few places you could get a decent coffee without feeling like a corporate shmuck. Being surrounded by old Italian gadgeys reading foreign newspapers only added to the cosmopolitan feel.
Update: Tickets now on sale for first flurry of films in the new place. Not exactly arthouse but I just booked two seats in the classic circle for the Indiana Jones flick. Can’t wait.
4. Hall 2 Sage Gateshead
Believe the hype. I tend to dislike places that other people harp on about just because I am awkward bastard but the Sage is breathtaking. It genuinely is. Absolutely awe inspiring (see my pic above). But the best bit is not the cavernously beautiful hall one, it’s the intimate hall two. The best place to watch music in Tyneside. Nah forget that – I can’t believe there is a better place in any city anywhere.
5. High Level Bridge
I could have gone for the iconic Tyne Bridge, the flash new Millennium Bridge but for me it’s the High Level every time. Solid, sturdy, unflashy and it suited Michael Caine a treat.
6. Civic Centre Rabbits
I like to think of them as our version of Ninja Mutant Hero Turtles. Fearless Urban Geordie Rabbits. The first time you see them you’re so surprised. Then eveytime you pass after that you can’t help but search for them.
They’re nearly always there. Brave little feckers. (Not to be confused with the Toon’s vampire rabbit)
7. Heaton Park/Jesmond Dene
Stretching from the comparatively mean streets of Heaton to the leafy suburbs of Jesmond – an absolutely gorgeous strip of green that really does make you feel like you’re deep in the heart of the country. In my early twenties I can recall getting very drunk with mates and deciding it would be fun to sleep on the rocks by the waterfall. Twenty minutes later we got spooked. Three hours later we were back in Heaton after incredibly getting lost walking home.
Oh and don’t miss the Shoe Tree.
8. The Metro to the Coast
Sun is shining? Head to the coast – you can be there in 15 minutes. The Metro is our tube, the only difference being is it’s actually pleasant to ride.
Old jowly tosspot Harry Redknapp reportedly said he didn’t want to manage Newcastle because he liked being by the coast. Look at a map dickhead.
9. The Monument
Speakers corners, meeting place and busker venue all rolled into one. The statue itself is pretty cool too but its just the space that really makes it work. It’s loved by Goths and office workers alike. The Christmas market is just too tasty. I am still losing the weight.
10 Baltic Viewing Platform
The art isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I know there is always something there that I enjoy seeing. But the best bit is still the view over the river and its bridges. I could do without the nanny state glass screens but still – nice. Very nice.
Feel free to add to the list in the comment box. I am a bit short on restaurants – any ideas?
Update: Quite by chance two other Toon bloggers have posted their favourite things. Look here and here for tales of Tyne Gods and post boxes.
12 comments
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May 14, 2008 at 10:39 am
L.
You are bit east-side focussed.
The train ride to Carlisle and back in springtime is a great pleasure.
Restaurants : Tony’s in Jesmond (Not that it has been Tony’s for years used to be great, but haven’t been for a long time)
Tony is reputed to have another restaurant somewhere but I don’t know where.
I am very fond of the Salsa Club. They have poshed up the tapas a bit recently and it is absolutely delicious.
I like the Tapas bar that’s near St Jame’s and the one at the Amen Corner.
There are loads of good restaurants it’s just that I’ve never been to most of them.
May 14, 2008 at 11:49 am
Pete
I have it on good authority that Intermetzo, the Tyneside Cinema cafe, will be opening again. If it will be as good as it used to be, I can’t tell. But I’ll have to give it a go.
May 14, 2008 at 11:51 am
Mosh
Frankly, I’m rather glad ‘arry *didn’t* look at a map…
May 14, 2008 at 11:53 am
L.
Blast, my comment seems not to have entered.
I said that you are a bit east-side biased. The train ride to Carlisle in the spring is a great joy.
Restaurants : Tony’s in Jesmond (not that it has been Tony’s for years) used to be great but I haven;t been for a long time.
Tony is reputed to have another restaurant somewhere but I don’t know where. Anyone know?
I am a great fan of the Salsa Club for a quick bite – they have gourmeted up the tapas recently and they are excellent and their nachoes are still as good as ever.
May 14, 2008 at 12:11 pm
ourmanwhere
L. whoa there – your comments got briefly stuck in my spam trap for no apparent reasons. And yes, I am an Eastside kinda guy – though I was born and brough up – half way to Carlisle.
Tony’s I don’t know. Will have to check out the salsa club – but we’re going tapasing tomorrow. The one down towards the Quayside I think.
Pete, from what I can read on the newly updated website the coffee bar appears untouched. As a reformed smoker it won’t be the same without an Embassy Number One but what can you do?
Ooh – techy alert – new cinema site is RSS enabled. Yet more procrastinationtactic stuff to add to my daily RSS readers trawel.
Mosh, so am I mate, so am I.
May 14, 2008 at 12:48 pm
L.
You might know tony’s as Francescas? We always called it Tony’s since that was what it used to be called when it was in High Bridge 30 years ago. Before he had a fire. wink. I was told that he had died but it seems that he lost the restaurant in a poker which is why Tony is no longer a part of Tony’s. (None of which may be true I hasten to add)
The Tapas at Amen Corner (El Torero?) is good, the one done on the quayside next to Est is pretty dire. El Coto (where the Barn used be at St James’s) is my favourite. There is a new one at the top of the Pudding Chare (or whatever they call it now) but I have not tried it – the menu did not impress.
The Creperie down Low Friar St. is worth a visit (assuming it is still open) – they have some nice Normandy Cider.
I see there is Vietnamese in the Bigg Market now, though as it is in one of those places which rotates owners quickly it might not last.
Why do we not have a decent Mexican restaurant on Tyneside? Or is there one I don’t know about?
May 14, 2008 at 12:56 pm
ourmanwhere
I heard about the Vietnamese in the Bigg Market but couldn’t find it when I looked. I hope they do a decent pho – it’s about the only Vietnamese food I miss.
For some reason Mexican restaurants never last long on Tyneside – which is odd because they always seem possible.
The Tapas places I have tried and they are good.
To add to the list – Pepys in Heaton – the food is solid – the welcome is exceptional.
Francescas – I know of it and its good reputation but can’t say I have ever been. We’ll be moving just around the corner soon (yes we are moving to Jesmond) – we’ll give it a go then.
May 14, 2008 at 1:30 pm
minxlj
El Torero, great tapas & wonderful atmosphere, I love it. Blackfriar’s Restaurant is also exceptional, and actually the whole Blackfriars area is pretty cool – historical interest, artisan jewellers’ shops, all tucked away in the courtyard. Gusto on the Quayside does bloody lovely food, pretty swish inside and a smart menu. Haven’t been to Le Creperie but it’s on my list, I keep forgetting where it is…LOL.
@L. I’m not an authority on Mexican restaurants at all but Chiquito’s does it for me as a vegetarian. Mind I’m a wimp and don’t like it too spicy! Are there any small/family type Mexican restaurants around that I’ve missed?
Hmm, you can tell when I travel I hit the foodie sights first, can’t you?! Anyway I like your list, agree with all of them. I’d have to add the Hancock Museum too but since it’s reopening as the Great North Museum next year I’ll wait til then :-) And the Castle Keep for me since I’m a bit of a history lover – the local history here is fascinating if anyone takes the time to look.
May 14, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Cassandra
Wow, that’s quite the list! I have a few places to add to my “must-see” list now! Thanks!
And thanks for the link to NDP!
May 14, 2008 at 1:49 pm
ourmanwhere
Wow – Minxlj – that’s an impressive list of restaurants. I must admit that due to diet constraints it’s been mostly sushi that I’ve been out for. Still – I am allowed at least one night off a week. I’ll have to work through your reccommendations.
Cassandra – you’re welcome – and I love the Tyne God too. It’s a beautiful beautiful thing.
May 14, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Mike
Hi, Mike here from newcastleupontynedailyphoto. Food is one of my favourite subjects! just had to stop by!
Restaurants – I’ve been to quite a lot of them in the city centre…
There’s a Mexican on Pilgrim Street – Blue Coyote. Been there for ages.
http://www.blue-coyote.co.uk/
Intermezzo is coming back, I passed it today walking up from Pilgrim Street. Can’t peek in there yet, there’s white-wash on the windows.
Some places I have been to:-
Strada (Old Eldon Sq, Best Itallian restaurant – never had a bad meal!)
Wagamama (Old Eldon Sq, Excellent oriental dishes)
Le Normand (Low Friar St. The crepe place, also excellent)
Pani’s (Highbridge, superb itallian cafe)
M&S restaurant (1st floor, M&S, excellent)
Prima Quayside (Quayside,
Hei-Hei (Dean Street, not bad chinese place)
Gershwins
El Torero (Spanish tapas)
El Cotto (Spanish tapas, near St James)
La Vina (Grey street, Spanish tapas, lit by candles inside!)
Nearly all restaurants in chinatown.
@Bankcock Cafe (Thai cafe)
Numjai II (Thai)
Ali-Baba (Middle eastern)
Brasserie Black Door at the Biscuit Factory, posh)
Grainger Rooms (Higham Place, posh)
Blackfriars restaurant (Posh)
Flatbread Cafe (Highbridge, not bad)
Baccus (Highbridge, a pub, but the food is excellent)
Paradiso (Excellent restaurant, never had a bad meal there)
Secco’s (It was ok)
On my hit list:-
“The Place To Eat” (300 seater, opens 19th, in John Lewis)
Barn Asia (near Dance City)
Silk Room
Cafe 21 (quayside)
Starters & Puds (new place in Shakespeare street)
M&S Kitchen (if I can get in there!)
Kristians Fish Bar (North Shields)
I eat like a sparrow!
Mike.
May 16, 2008 at 12:48 pm
minxlj
@Mike, I eat like a horse…LOL. And thanks for pointing out Blue Coyote…why haven’t I noticed it before?! I tend to stick to the same places if I enjoy them, I need to explore more. Coyote and Creperie definitely on the list!
Paradiso is definitely a top pick of mine, then downstairs to Popolo’s for awesome cocktails :-)
@ourman – I can appreciate the diet constraints. I love good (healthy) food too much though so my focus is going to be on hitting the gym hard. Eek!