For the first time ever I can say I've had the perfect valentine's day. I met Elliot a few months back and when he brought up Valentine's day I was genuinely excited.
So I traveled up to Newcastle, over packed suitcase trailing behind, to have one of the best weekends of my life.
Every girl's dream, I got greeted at the station with the most beautiful single red rose and a big hug.
Once back at Elliot's we decided that we were feeling quite domestic, so decided to make tomato soup (something that Elliot strives on reminding me is amazing every time he makes it for himself). Although it was gorgeous, it was slightly more on the pepper soup side.
Present exchanging left me with a gorgeous set of Burt's Bees goodies that I can't wait to use and a rather amusing card relating to his love of pug dogs and how crazy I am.
Now for the proper Valentine's day festivities. Leopard dress and loosely waved hair with the addition of some Lush eyelashes I was ready to go. Elliot wore an electric blue Ralph Lauren shirt, jeans and white shoes :)
We started with cocktails at The Vineyard on the corner of Grey Street. Elliot had been dying to take me here for months and I don't know why we haven't been. It was right up my street, small and quaint yet quirky with a strangely overdone feel that just made me love it.
I started with my safety drink, a Cosmopolitan, and Elliot went for a Duvel which is apparently why The Vineyard is so popular.
Afterwards I had a champagne cocktail containing strawberry which was delicious.
We then moved on to The Oak, mood lighting in tow for Valentine's day this restaurant boasts a mix of British and Italian cuisine.
With wine ordered we both decided on a starter of crispy potato skins with assorted dips. They were amazing, having had my fair share of crispy potato skins (as it's my favourite starter) these were definitely up there with the best. For our main course, Elliot ordered a steak (which he raved about throughout) and I went for spaghetti arrabiata. The food was exceptional there and we'll definitely be visiting again. My only regret was not having a dessert, but I will rectify that on my next visit :)
After a chat and finishing our drinks we moved onto a cocktail bar called Livello, a gorgeously designed bar with amazing cocktails and unique furnishing.
To start I had a Zombie cocktail (not so Valentinesy looking back) and Elliot had a classic Mojito. Elliot was quite jealous that my cocktail was set on fire, typical.
After having sat and chatted for a while we decided on another drink. Opting for something I'd never had before I went for a Hibiscus infused cocktail with Elderflower that was so delicious. Perfect floral cocktail. Elliot went for a rum based drink that I can't remember the name of for the life of me, but I was quite jealous of the glass it came in. A manly cocktail really.
After Elliot's idea of a 'short walk' we then arrived at the final place for the night, Malmaison Hotel for more cocktails. This was a beautiful place, the bar looked amazing and the seating was decadent and designed for comfort. Having been left to order both drinks (panicking) I chose a cocktail for Elliot that I had had before and thought was a safe option, a Woo Woo with me sticking with a peach champagne cocktail.
Arriving home, I couldn't be happier. Single Relationship.
As a vegetarian it's an every day occurrence to go to a restaurant and only having a maximum of 5 food choices on a menu and with me not being a fan of mushrooms this number is usually halved by the time I actually find something I could eat.
So Elliot (the babe he is) took me to a cute little cafe called Sky Apple that had an all vegetarian menu. AMAZING. Spoiled for choice for the first time in 10 years, I didn't know what to pick, there were so many things I could have. Not only that, everything they serve is organic, including the Coca Cola.
We started with nachos to share, piled with cheese, jalapenos and salsa they were delicious. Elliot ordered a goats cheese and red onion marmalade wrap with me opting for a Tex Mex wrap, perfect for those of us out there that love spice as my god this was a spicy wrap. Cue a much needed jug of water.
To finish we decided to share lemon sorbet with vodka, it was after twelve so it's all good :) I had been craving sorbet and this one didn't disappoint. Homemade this sorbet was packed with flavor a sweet but tangy lemon met with the bitterness of the vodka this was the perfect treat after such a spicy main.
For dinner we went somewhere I have loved for many years, having been going since I was little it serves my favourite food and has given me many happy memories - Pizza Hut :) Garlic bread and salad for starters followed by a margarita and meatfeast pizza we were then persuaded to get the amazing cookies and icecream that Pizza Hut now serve. Ahhh a foot long of half raspberry and white chocolate, half milk chocolate finished off with 3 scoops of icecream. Pretty much heaven on a plate in my view.
To finish up the weekend we both packed up a mini suitcase and headed to Yarm where Elliot was brought up and his parents live. After a lovely welcome, we went out for dinner at a tapas style restaurant called Starters. With cocktails to begin with we ordered 2 dishes each with me starting with crispy skins, Elliot opting for garlic bread, his Mum having tomato soup and Dad having prawns. We then had another course consisting of vegetable fajitas for myself, a burger for Elliot, halloumi salad for his Mum and prawn fajitas for his Dad.
The main event was the dessert though, a dark chocolate fondue accompanied by strawberries, melon, pineapple and marshmallows.
All I can say is that the weekend was perfect from start to finish all thanks to Elliot. I didn't want to leave and I can't wait for my next train up to Newcastle <3
