Tag: tyneside

Arriba! Arriba! For Lunch Down Mexico Way

By on 11th December 2018in Food & Drink
Mexican food

Tyneside’s newest Mexican restaurant is spicing up lunchtime with a new express menu, packed with the flavours of Latin America.

El Paso, at Osborne Road, Jesmond, has created a condensed menu of starters, mains and sides, along with a variety of tapas dishes, for those looking for a light or speedy lunch.

And along with favourites such as nachos and tacos, are vegan and vegetarian options featuring classic, Mexican ingredients, from black bean hummus and avocado baja, to courgette ribbon fritters with mango and green chilli.

Among the starters are barbecue glazed pork ribs with pickled chillies, chilli con queso and asparagus baja with cumin and a cider reduction, while mains include lamb meatball tacos, chilli beef or lentil enchiladas and a cod and wilted spinach open sandwich with a caper and garlic aioli.

Other main course dishes include grilled nacho chicken burger, chilli con carne and vegan tacos filled with sweet Mexican carrots and beetroot, while sides include Mexican ‘slaw, chipotle rice, French fries and El Paso’s house salad.

Alternatively, those looking to share traditional Spanish tapas can choose from more than a dozen dishes such as chorizo with peppers and garlic, ham and manchego cheese croquettes, salt cod baja with pea, lime and coriander guacamole and seared halloumi with lime and tequila roasted peppers.

The 100-cover restaurant, owned by Newcastle-based Malhotra Group plc, has also created a special pricing structure for the new lunchtime menu with a main and a side costing just £9.95 with a £3 surcharge for starters.

Those opting for tapas can choose three dishes for £12 or six for £20, which head of operations, Simon Wright, said, “makes a midday treat even more affordable for families.”

Explaining the inspiration behind the new menu, he said: “Half of the fun of eating out is spending time with friends and family and we wanted to find a way of doing that that wouldn’t break the bank.

“This menu is perfect for those who want something light and packed with flavour – or those on the go who simply don’t have time during the working day, perhaps, to sit through three courses.

“Our aims have been to provide excellent food and value for money – and that has got to be worth raising a glass to.”

El Paso is open daily from 10am to 11pm (last orders for food 9.45pm) and the lunch menu is available between 12 noon and 7pm.

For more information, or to book, visit www.elpasojesmond.co.uk.

BBC Real Hustle Star Joins Tyneside Magic Festival Lineup

By on 21st February 2016in Entertainment

Performers from across Europe and America will be cheating, conjuring and clowning their way into the North East for a special event taking place next month…

The 13th annual South Tyneside International Magic Festival, which runs at the Customs House, South Shields, returns with a host of entertainment from Wednesday March 9th.

One of the most highly anticipated elements of the event, organised by South Tyneside Council, is an International Gala Show on Saturday March 12th, starring six of modern magic’s most impressive illusionists.

This includes jovial juggler Steve Rawlings, conjuror and David Blaine consultant, Peter Clifford and professional cheat R Paul Wilson, who wrote and presented smash hit BBC TV show, The Real Hustle.

They will be joined by Belgian man of mystery, Rafael, American entertainer John Carney, and award-winning German performer Alana, whose latest act appears to show her with several hands.

North East magician John Archer will be compering the show, and is helping South Tyneside Council to plan this year’s event.

“I’m thrilled to be so heavily involved in the South Tyneside International magic Festival 2016, and in particular to be compering Saturday’s Gala Show,” he said.

“The line-up for the evening offers an amazing mix of talent, and I’m sure audience members of all ages will be left wondering, how do they do that?”

Tickets for the South Tyneside International Magic Festival’s Saturday night Gala Show are priced from £13 each and on sale from the Customs House Box Office on www.customshouse.co.uk or 0191 4541234.

Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “The Saturday night Gala Show is one of the most popular elements of the South Tyneside International Magic Festival, and is often a sell out, so I would advise people to get their tickets early to avoid missing out.”

Other highlights in this year’s festival, supported by the Customs House and BBC Newcastle, include a second International Gala Show on Friday March 11th, a Family Magic Extravaganza sponsored and programmed by MagicBox on Wednesday March 9th, and a three-day convention for professional magicians and enthusiasts.

For more information and a full line-up, visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/magicfestival.

Swedish Magic Stars Join Tyneside Magic Festival Lineup

By on 9th February 2016in Entertainment

Sleight of hand, stand-up and spectacular furniture juggling will all play a part in one of the North East’s most magical events…

The South Tyneside International Magic Festival, organised by South Tyneside Council, returns in March with three public shows at the Customs House, South Shields.

Among the many highlights is an International Gala Performance on Friday March 11th, featuring seven stars from across the UK, Europe and the USA.

This includes unique double act Men in Coats, who have already performed around the world and clocked up more than 20 million hits on YouTube, as well as multi award-winning Malin Nilsson, who was the first woman to be named both Swedish Champion of Magic and Scandinavian Champion of Magic.

They will be joined by American entertainer Chad Long, North East favourite John Archer, mind reader Kennedy and show-stopper Steve Rawlings, whose unusual routines involve juggling Ping-Pong balls with his mouth, furniture juggling and balancing bottles and glasses while simultaneously juggling blazing fire torches.

The show, which is open to all ages, will be compered by comedy magician Danny Buckler, who has toured with Victoria Wood and hosted primetime BBC 1 show, The Secrets of Magic.

Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “The Friday night Gala Show has always been one of the South Tyneside International Magic Festival’s most popular events, and this year looks set to be no exception.

“With the aid of John Archer, we have conjured up an amazing line-up, packed full of comedy, tricks and all-round entertainment to amuse and excite audience members of all ages.”

Tickets for the South Tyneside International Magic Festival’s Friday night Gala Show are priced from £13 each and on sale from the Customs House Box Office on www.customshouse.co.uk or 0191 4541234.

Other highlights in the 13th annual festival include a second International Gala Show on Saturday March 12th, a Family Magic Extravaganza, sponsored and programmed by MagicBox on Wednesday March 9th, and a three-day convention exclusively for professional magicians.

More information about the event, supported by the Customs House and BBC Newcastle, can be found at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/magicfestival.

Stars Fly In For South Tyneside International Magic Festival

By on 31st January 2016in Entertainment

Magicians from across Europe are preparing to cast their spell on the North East later this spring…

Stars from as far afield as Belgium, Germany and Sweden will be flying in for the 13th annual South Tyneside International Magic Festival, which returns to the region from Wednesday March 9th.

The popular event, organised by South Tyneside Council, will feature a Family Magic Extravaganza, sponsored by MagicBox, a convention for professional magicians and two International Gala Shows at the Customs House, South Shields.

The line-up for the Gala performances, taking place on March 11th and 12th, includes the first woman to be named German Champion of Magic, Alana, former Swedish and Scandinavian Champion of Magic, Malin Nilsson and Belgium’s ‘man of mystery,’ Rafael.

Multi award-winning Alana, who was born and raised in Hamburg, has performed around the world and recently unveiled a new act in which she appears to have several hands.

She will be taking to the South Shields stage alongside Malin, who has been performing since 2000, and award-winning magician, inventor, comedian and illusionist, Rafael, who has also won many accolades, including the Siegfried & Roy Golden Lion award.

The talented trio will be joined for the South Tyneside International Magic Festival 2016 by some of the finest performers from across the UK, as well as American entertainers John Carney and Chad Long.

North East magician John Archer, who is helping South Tyneside Council organise the festival, said: “The line-up for this year’s International Gala Shows is extremely eclectic.

“We’ve drawn in some of the greatest talents from across the continent to ensure there is something to amuse and excite audience members of all ages, and we’re thrilled that Alana, Malin and Rafael are all flying in to take part.”

The South Tyneside International Magic Festival, supported by the Customs House and BBC Newcastle, is aimed at bringing world class magic to the North East.

Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “The South Tyneside International Magic Festival is one of the most unique events on the North East calendar, and annually attracts performers and attendees from around the world.

“This year we will be welcoming some of the foremost modern magicians from around the globe, and it promises to be an amazing event for South Tyneside and the wider region as a whole.”

Tickets for the South Tyneside International Magic Festival’s Family Magic Extravaganza, priced from £7 each, and the International Gala Shows, priced from £13 each, are on sale from the Customs House Box Office on www.customshouse.co.uk or 0191 4541234.

Tickets for the festival’s three-day convention, open exclusively to professional magicians from Friday March 11th, are priced at £65 each and available by contacting South Tyneside Council Events Officer Karri Prinn on 0191 4554031 or karri.prinn@southtyneside.gov.uk.

A full line up for the festival can be found at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/magicfestival.

Tyneside Restaurants Reveal Loved-Up Valentine’s Day Menus

By on 19th January 2016in Lifestyle

Restaurants across Tyneside have the recipe for romance, with Valentine’s Day dishes for loved-up couples…

On Sunday 14th February, The Runhead, Holburn Lane, Ryton and Scalini’s, at Osborne Road, Jesmond and Great North Road, Gosforth, are offering a range of special starters, main courses and desserts.

At The Runhead, diners can choose either smoked mackerel pâté or Portobello mushrooms stuffed with goat’s cheese, followed by rack of lamb, pan-fried Dover sole or mozzarella roast vegetable stack, with a dessert of strawberry mess or tiramisu.

At Scalini’s, Jesmond, starters include antipastos and roast pear salad, while main courses feature dishes such as chargrilled T-bone steak, pan-seared king scallop and tiger prawn skewers and heart-shaped pasta parcels filled with mozzarella.

Dessert is a sharing platter of strawberry-filled meringue, chocolate orange truffle, warmed caramel brownie, lemon pannacotta torte, ice creams, fruit coulis and chocolate pencils.

And, for those planning to celebrate the occasion with a group of friends, the restaurant is also offering a free bottle of house wine for tables of six or more.

At Scalini’s, Gosforth, diners can choose from crab and Welsh rarebit toasties or sharing platters of antipasto fritto misto or pulled beef brisket nachos, main courses of a pork board to share, 10oz ribeye steak or pan-seared scallops and desserts, to be announced on the day.

Those who can not wait until 14th February, can celebrate Valentine’s Day early at the Sandpiper, Cullercoats, which is serving its special menu on 13th February, in order not to disappoint Sunday diners keen to enjoy the venue’s popular carvery.

Romantic diners on 13th February will be able to choose either North Sea fishcake or ham hock terrine, followed by pan haggerty, seared cod, chorizo and bean stew or sirloin steak, followed by sticky toffee pudding or lemon posset.

Valentine’s menus are available throughout the day at each venue, and further information can be found at www.scalinisrestaurant.co.uk, www.therunhead.co.uk and www.thesandpiperbar.co.uk.

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