What's on in January: Newcastle Restaurant Week

Like most, I started January with the best possible intentions. A copy of the latest Weight Watchers magazine, a clear out of the alcohol cupboard, solemn promises to myself that I'll be looking svelte and gorgeous in a bikini by June.

Also similar to most, I expect that the sentiment will be dashed by the end of the month. But really, could there be a worse time to deprive yourself?

If you're looking for ways to add a bit of excitement to an otherwise dull January, or an excuse for falling off the dieting wagon with a bit of style, pencil in Newcastle Restaurant Week. Running from 23rd-29th January, the event involves over 20 of the city's top restaurants, mostly offering 2 courses for £10. My personal favourites from the list include Blackfriars, Cafe 21 and Pan Haggerty, though I also intend to try out a few places that have been on my 'to do' list for a while now. On a more serious note, it's also an affordable opportunity to support the local restaurant scene during these tough times.

For a full list of participating restaurants, check out the Get into Newcastle website. Booking in advance would be sensible.

I'm taking full advantage and I've booked a table at two restaurants throughout the week already. Everything in moderation, eh?

What's on in November

The cold nights are drawing in, we have one less hour of daylight in the evenings, and we still have a long wait before the festive season. In short, we all need a little something to look forward to. Here's my list of top events happening in the region in November.

Latimer's Seafood Lunch Club

Latimer's are renowned for selling the best local fresh fish in Newcastle and Sunderland, and now they're hosting their first lunchtime event with north east pop-up chef Anthony Brown. Treat yourself to a leisurely 3 course lunch, based on the French notion of 'Plat de Jour' (that's 'dish of the day', if your French lets you down). Main course and dessert for £20 per person.

3rd November, 12.15pm

Latimer's Seafood Deli, Shell Hill, Bents Road, Whitburn, Sunderland, SR6 7NT

0191 5292200

www.latimers.com

Living North: The Essence of Christmas Fair

This is the largest event of its kind in the region, and a definite highlight of the north's foodie calendar. The four day event will showcase 250 stalls featuring food, drink, interiors, arts and gifts. Start your Christmas shopping early (well, I personally think that November is early for this sort of thing) and have a browse amongst the wares of local beauties such as Northumberland Cheese, Mr Vikkis, Wylam Brewery and Lottie McPhee's. What's perhaps most impressive though is the list of demonstrators featuring over the course of the event, which reads like a 'who's who' of the north east's culinary scene. Terry Laybourne of 21 Hospitality Group, Mark Percival of Eslington Villa, Bob Arora of Sachins and David Kennedy of NE2 Food Social make up just the tip of the iceberg, so plan in advance to avoid missing your favourites. Tickets are £6 in advance or £8 on the door.

3rd-6th November, 10am-4/5pm

Newcastle Racecourse, Gosforth Park, Newcastle, NE3 5HP

www.livingnorth.com

Christmas Food and Drink Festival

The Lewis and Cooper (my new favourite place) annual celebration of great food and drink. This is an opportunity to meet dozens of Lewis and Cooper's suppliers and producers, and take advantage of some extra special offers and discounts. Plus, it aims to raise thousands for their chosen charity, Help for Heroes. Tickets are now free.

Sunday 6th November, 10am-4pm

Lewis and Cooper, 92 High Street, Northallerton, DL7 8PT

01609 772880

www.lewisandcooper.co.uk

Lumiere Festival

Not foodie, but still a must-visit for those in and around Durham. The dazzling festival returns to the city for four nights with installations and projections that will light up Durham's buildings, streets and bridges. The first Lumiere in 2009 attracted over 75,000 visitors to the city and it's getting bigger, and well, as you might imagine, brighter. Selected restaurants will also be running special deals for festival attendees, including Oldfields who are offering 25% food bills (print off the voucher from Lumiere's website).

17th-20th November, 6-11pm

Durham City Centre

www.lumieredurham.co.uk

Newcastle Continental Market

The Continental Market returns to Newcastle City Centre just before the run up to Christmas. There's nothing better than getting wrapped up and wandering around the hustle and bustle of the market with a mulled wine, picking up some Christmas presents and trying out the many food stands. Expect paella, currywurst, waffles, crepes, and more.

21st November - 3rd December

Grey's Monument, Grey Street and Grainger Street, Newcastle City Centre

Enjoy, and do let me know the verdict if you attend any of these events.

Autumn Grazer Market, Jesmond

Looking for something to do this Sunday?

Pop along to Northumberland Tennis Club for an autumnal food market. Organised by Anna Hedworth, Autumn Grazer will feature food and drink from north east suppliers including Ringtons Tea, Northumberland Cheese Company, The Consett Popcorn Company and Carruthers and Kent. The Broad Chare will also be there, serving up pub snacks and real ales and Hotel Du Vin are hosting an outdoor BBQ. Let's just hope this lovely weather holds out.

What's on in October

I'm a bit of a stickler for organisation. My diary is a wealth of knowledge on all forthcoming events which may involve the opportunity to partake in two of my favourite pastimes; eating and drinking. In reality, I'd probably never find the time to make it along to all of them, but my well organised intentions are there nonetheless. Rather than keeping these to myself, I've put together a list of my personal favourites for the month ahead.

Blackfriars Ladies' Lunch

Do you fancy yourself as a lady-who-lunches? Yes, so do I. Get yourself along to the brilliant Blackfriars' monthly event, which features a demonstration by a local expert (this time, make up artist Kerry Nicholson from The Perfect Base) and a three course meal including a glass of wine and coffee. Make new friends, learn the tips and tricks of make up artistry and sample the food of one of my all time favourite Newcastle restaurants. Tickets are £25 and it's advisable to book in advance.

4th October, 11.30am

Blackfriars Restaurant, Friars Street, Newcastle, NE1 4XN

0191 261 5945

http://www.blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk

Northumbria Food and Wine Festival

The first of what is promised to be an annual event, recently crowned 'British Pub of the Year', The Feathers Inn, is collaborating with Fasol Menin and Tynedale Rugby Club to bring us the first Northumbria Food and Wine Festival. The event will feature pop-up restaurants, cookery demonstrations, wine talks, wine tasting events and live music. They aim to 'create an environment that allows people to shop easily, discover new facts about wine and food and try lots of new tastes.' Tickets are available for £20 via the website, or for £25 on the door.

7-9th October

Tynedale Park, Corbridge, Northumberland, NE45 5AY

http://www.northumbriafoodandwinefestival.co.uk

Pop-up Indian restaurant

Newcastle based food writer and private chef Maunika Gowardhan hosts the region's first pop-up Indian restaurant. Held at Terry Laybourne's Caffe Vivvo, this one off event will be 'showcasing regional influences from the Indian sub continent whilst celebrating Indian street food along with home cooked meals for discerning diners and Indian food fans alike.' 3 course menu, £30 per person.

Note: this event is now fully booked, though Caffe Vivvo are holding a waiting list, in case of cancellations.

10th October, 7pm

Caffé Vivo, 29 Broad Chare, Newcastle, NE1 3DQ
0191 2321331

http://caffevivo.co.uk/

http://www.cookinacurry.co.uk

Durham Food Festival & Book Festival

Durham Food Festival brings gourmet food marques, a continental market, local farmers' market and chef demonstrations to the city. The final day, Sunday 23rd October, coincides with the Durham Book Festival and some foodie talks are served up on the Palace Green, with a distinct emphasis on all things baking related.

At 12pm, award winning baker Dan Lepard will be discussing his new book, his baking philosophies, and whisking up some treats. At 2pm, Edd Kimber, the 'boy who bakes' and winner of BBC2's Great British Bake Off, will be sharing tales of his baking adventures.

20-23rd October
Durham City

http://www.durhamfoodfestival.com

http://www.durhambookfestival.com

With such an interesting and diverse programme of events in one single month, it's pretty fair to say that it isn't so grim up north.