An Edible Voyage

November 2020 It seems that creativity with vegetarian and vegan foods these days is exploding and some of the most exciting flavour combinations I've come across recently are in these cuisines.  So when researching food stops for my weekend in Newcastle, Little Green Social was high on my list.  On a lovely, leafy Sandyford street close to Heaton Park, the family-run Little Green Social serves up all things vegan - think pizzas, doughnuts, Sunday roasts, and burgers made with the chef's homemade tempeh.   The Celeriac Reuben caught my eye and oh boy was it good - probably winning the coveted title of the most delicious sandwich I've ever eaten! Creamy salt baked celeriac, punchy sauerkraut, oozy cheese, and the tastiest poppy seed rye.  I left Newcastle wishing I lived close to this place so I could have it on an at least weekly basis! Find the Little Green Social on Goldspink Lane in Sandyford.

November 2019 For a wonderful selection of expertly baked sourdough, pastries and cakes, as well as pretty god coffee, head to Aran Bakery.  Classic sourdough, several flavours of focaccia, rye bread and seeded buns sit alongside a tempting array of sweet treats - think raspberry and yogurt cake, spiced plum brioche and pistachio croissants - shouting at me to try them having only previously had their more commonly found almond counterpart.  I enjoyed the earthy nuttiness of the pistachio, a little less sickly than almond, but I found the croissant a little crisp for my liking, lacking that all important gooey frangipane centre. Find these delights at Aran Bakery in Dunkeld and enjoy with a flat white.