Tag: review

Restaurant Review: Le Raaj, Sedgefield

By on 11th April 2016in Lifestyle

Andy Knowles shares his thoughts on Sedgefield’s newest premium dining experience…

For years I had been driving past the derelict Little Chef building at the round-a-bout between Sedgefield and Stockton. A road I use each evening on my way home from the office in Chester-le-Street so when I noticed the Le Raaj ‘coming soon’ signs appear I was quite excited. Not only is it great to see one of our clients expanding from Durham into my region of Teesside, its also great that a new Indian restaurant was opening as I consider myself an Indian food aficionado.

After many weeks of anticiptation I noticed the ‘we are open’ banners were on display so I made a mental note to organize a babysitter and treat my other half to a night of beer and a curry. Who said romance was dead!

As we arrived at the restaurant the grand entrance looked stunning with a pitched roof and marble pillars that stood out with mood lighting similar to something you might expect to see at an exclusive members club in Mayfair, London. We were both very impressed.

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On entering the restaurant there was a great ambience and we were greeted by the polite manager who ushered us to a comfy seating area where we ordered some drinks and were handed the menus that were so new and the ink was must have barely dried. This was going to be a great evening I thought.

After a comfortable and relaxing wait the manager took our orders and we were showed to our table by the window. The restaurant was relatively busy considering it was a Tuesday night and the sound of chatter and music made the atmosphere really great and added to the overall ambiance.

As we caught up with each other on this very rare ‘date night’ the waiter arrived with poppadum’s and pickles and it wasn’t long before we started to break them up and work our way up to the lime pickle.

After another comfortable break it was time for the starters. My wife opted for Tikka chicken paneer that was described as marinated boneless chicken in tandoor and served with homemade Indian cheese. I opted for Onion Baji that was one of the best I’ve ever tasted.

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For main course Kelly selected a predictable Chicken Korma and I went for one of the chefs special dishes called ‘Goan chicken’ A classic northern dish, slow cooked with aromatic spices, whole zera, garlic Goan chilli and coconut – spicy dish

We finished off with a nice coffee and complimentary chocolate before heading home after a great evening of good food and exceptional service.

So would I recommend Le Raaj in Sedgefield? Absolutely! And I hope its not too long before we get to visit again.

Review: Legally Blonde At Tyne Theatre & Opera House

By on 26th November 2015in Entertainment, Events

West End Musical Theatre Company‘s debut production of Legally Blonde is setting Newcastle alight. Here’s a review courtesy of Kelly Knowles and Abbie Wilkinson…

 

We were lucky enough to score a pair of tickets for the show’s opening night at the Tyne Theatre, and the atmosphere was electric. The lavish auditorium is a great place to be, even before the theatrics begin, and our Grand Circle seats meant that we had a great view of the stage.

The Legally Blonde musical is based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon, and as big fans of the source material, we’re pleased to report that its adaptation to the stage has worked beautifully.

The show’s music, by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, is a fantastic compliment to the narrative, and will have you singing along even after you’ve left the theatre. Favourites include Take It Like A Man, which has all the charm of a Disney fairy tale, but the wit you’d expect from Hollywood. Top marks to the singing cast, who go for every number with total energy and passion.

In fact, the cast’s performances are hard to criticise all round. The West End Musical Theatre Company’s experience shines through wonderfully, making us just a little disappointed that it took us until now to see one of their productions! Their previous shows include Wizard Of Oz and Stepping Out.

Leading lady Cheryl Moody is electrifying as sorority girl Elle Woods. Her performance is fun, charming, and so effortlessly ditzy that we’re sure many like us will be able to see a little of themselves up on stage. Along the way, Cheryl reminds us that being ourselves never goes out of style.

 

Special mention, however, must go to the two unlikely stars of the show, Chi-Chi the chihuahua and Patsy the bulldog. Chi-Chi, as Elle’s faithful sidekick Bruiser, steals every scene with effortless grace, and remains en vogue throughout.

The production and stage management itself is also of note. The story takes us from the sorority house to the Halls of Justice, and the scenes change seamlessly. We commend the WEMTC for their clear dedication to rehearsal and practice.

Suffice to say, Legally Blonde had us smiling from start to finish, and if you’re looking for a feel-good show, this one will not disappoint. As keen theatre goers, Abbie and I were suitably impressed, and we’re already looking forward to the company’s next production.

And yes – we played through the entire soundtrack on the way home!

If you want to see the show for yourself, you can catch it at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House, located on Westgate Road, Newcastle. The show runs until this Saturday, so be sure to book your tickets here.

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