Make vintage discoveries, head for the hills and get into the festival spirit. 

<<  WEEKENDER  >>

Chris Finnigan is head chef at Branches Restaurant, Ponteland. 

Friday night gladrags or curry night?
If I'm not in the kitchen on a Friday night, I'd take advantage of both! I'd kick the night off with a curry, then hit the tiles 'til the small hours. In reality, I cant remember the last time I did that. We can dream though, right? 

A super Saturday?
A lie-in, followed by a big breakfast, football and then a few cocktail bars afterwards. 

Saturday night... at the stove, or round the table?
As a chef, a Saturday night is invariably round the stove at work. I’ve just started at Branches Restaurant, which recently opened, and we're already discovering that Saturday nights are going to be popular. If I'm off, I like to eat out with my partner, Helen. Kenny Atkinson's House of Tides is one of my favourites. 

TV, radio show, music or newspaper that means the weekend?
Work tends to dominate at the weekend, so mine is shifted to a Monday. I might squeeze in a Tuesday morning, too. It gives me a chance to pore over the Monday football reports and reaction. I'm a bit of a football nut. 

We can whisk you away for two dream days. Where would you go?
Anywhere where the sun’s shining and that has a variety of no-frills restaurants, producing simple, fresh food. It doesn't have to be five-start to impress me.  

Memorable mini-break?
A last-minute break to Alicante with Helen, before our first child arrived five years ago. We went off the beaten track and spent the whole weekend eating local seafood and tapas and drinking wine.

Sunday best?
That would have to be a good Sunday roast with all the trimmings. Pink sirloin, duck fat roast potatoes and too-big-to-handle Yorkshire puddings. With everyone’s bellies full, we’d then pick out a film with to watch with the family. 

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<<  AWAY FROM IT ALL  >>

For a far-flung romantic getaway or unique solo break, this luxury self-catering chapel conversion on the Isle of Skye in the Scottish highlands is the perfect sanctuary. Spend an afternoon in the sauna and spa bath, overlooking Loch Harport and the soaring mountains beyond.

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<< BUY ME >>

All eyes on you.
Crayons crystal-embellished textured leather continental wallet, £409, Fendi. 

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<< TASTE ME >>

Treat yourself or someone you love to Afternoon Tea at Seaham Hall. Enjoy in the hotel lounge or out on the outdoor terrace, overlooking the coast and extensive gardens. For an extra £10, upgrade to include a glass of champagne. 

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<<  VIEW ME  >>

Flat out fabulous.

Seaside sanctuary

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City living

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Lap of luxury

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<< TIME OUT >>

The Clayshed’s Big Vintage Festival takes place at Hoults Yard, Newcastle, on Saturday. Shop at quirky vintage stalls, enjoy old-school food and dancing and transform yourself at a 60s-style beauty parlour.

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Enjoy a special Afternoon Tea offering at Lumley Castle on Saturday in celebration of the Queen's 90th birthday. Includes live music by Ladies of the Court. From 1.30pm-4pm, £16.95 per person. 

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<< STROLL >>

It's that time of year when running becomes the 'in thing' again. Do it during your lunch break, do it early on a Saturday morning or rally the troops and take the whole afternoon. Try the Roseberry Romp running trail if you want to push yourself - the route's varied terrain includes winding woodland paths and tough, fast ascents.

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<<  WITH THE KIDS  >>

Take them to Maker Faire UK at Life Science Centre this weekend. Pop along to see real space rockets, football playing robots and performers dancing with electricity. Lords of Lightning (pictured) will be performing, too. 

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Celebrate St George's Day on Saturday at Warkworth Castle. Step back in time and make way for plenty of medieval mischief, including battles between knights and dragons, performances and plays. 

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<< FOODIE >>

Bishop Auckland Food Festival kicks off this weekend. Pop along to one of the region's biggest food events for scrummy stalls, celebrity cooking demos, pop-up restaurants and tons of entertainment.  

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Beer Town returns to Malton this weekend, showcasing over 45 of the best beers in the UK. Includes plenty of local grub and homegrown entertainment. £2 per person, from 12pm.

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<<  EAT IN  >>

Craving burgers and chips? Try this healthier option, loaded with spicy sweet potato wedges, creamy avocado, crunchy veggies and lashings of garlicky, mustardy mayo.

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<<  EAT OUT  >>

Place
The Northumberland Arms, Morpeth.

Hang out
A charming five-star bar and restaurant, found in the pretty and serene village of Felton, just opposite the River Coquet. There's a separate 'River Room' - a light and airy, conservatory-style space - available for private gatherings and functions.

Decked out
Light pistachio walls, scuffed tables and chairs and soft lighting. It's the little touches, though, that catch our eye; the floor-to-ceiling windows, the twinkling tea lights and indoor lanterns and the Scandi-style wooden chandeliers. A very chic and cosy space indeed.

Sip
An fragrant and refreshing Elderflower Martini (£7.50) for us, and a French Martini (£7.50) for our dining buddy. Both sweet, fruity and shaken. Ours muddled together Jack Cain's Premium Gin, elderflower, dry Vermouth and a spring of fresh rosemary. Theirs was a mix of Stoli vodka, pineapple juice and sugar syrup. So good, we may have had a couple of each. 

Food matters
A perfectly-sized menu; plenty of choice, but not overwhelming. You won't find the usual 'pub grub' here - it's fine-dining as far as we're concerned. The dishes are inventive, but not pretentious, and marry sophisticated ingredients and flavours from all over the world - from Northumberland to India, China and Thailand.

We ate 
Our friend started with tortellini (£7) - six plump, mint green parcels, filled with creamy spinach and ricotta, drizzled in a fresh, tangy caper vierge dressing and sprinkled with nubbly pine nuts. A surprisingly light and zingy dish, packed with 'healthy' flavours and great textures. We went for the oriental spiced duck breast (£8), which arrived with crunchy veggies, doused in a light and punchy hoisin sauce, crispy noodles and a slick of ginger purée. The meat was cooked to perfection - you could cut through it like butter - and the gentle hum of spiciness it provided was just enough for us. For mains, our friend tucked into a colourful, Indian feast of juicy king prawns (which were nearly as big as our fist) and wild rice (£18), with a silky smooth, banana and pineapple madras sauce and topped with a giant onion bhaji. We decided on the tournedos of beef (£23), which arrived smothered in a rich, pink peppercorn jus and joined by a woody wild mushroom fondue - something new (and delicious) for us. Desserts were beautifully presented and went down a treat; milk chocolate panna cotta (£7) with thick, homemade chocolate chip shortbread for us, and a bowl of rhubarb and raspberry crumble (£7) for them. Some of the best puddings we had demolished in ages. One of the best meals we've had in ages, actually. 

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Share the weekend! Advertise your event, venue, eating place or getaway with us. Contact debi@remembermedia.co.uk