GAGA ABOUT FOOD: SLATE NQ, LEEDS

When I was invited to try out new bar and restaurant Slate NQ last week, I jumped at the chance. I'm a big fan of its sister venues, Roxy Ballroom and Roxy Lanes, plus I love the new hot-spot area of Leeds, the Northern Quarter. It was the perfect excuse to pop to Leeds and catch up with one of my fave uni gals. 

The place itself was really cool- very on trend, but quite grown up feeling. Its perfect for drinks with the girls, causal meetings or just a nice place to chill during the day. It has a gorgeous rooftop terrace area and beer garden, something that is quite difficult to find in Leeds. The decor and layout was right up my street, and really fits in with the whole bar scene that's so popular right now. 

We started off with two gorgeous cocktails- probably the best I've ever had, and certainly different. I went for a 'Ginger Collins', which was soo refreshing with pear and ginger beer. I highly recommend! Jess opted for 'The Baroness', which was equally good. I love how they come in their own glasses too, which really complimented them.

Next the food... It was just delicious. We were really hungry so we went for a couple of starters/nibbles to begin with. The humous was to die for, and the fresh, warm pitta bread absolutely moreish. And for me, you can never go wrong with tomato garlic bread. Next we shared two pizzas, Slate's speciality. We chose the three cheese, and truffle salami pizzas, and they were so so good too. They were different to your regular run of the mill pizzas, and super yummy. I can't wait to go back and try some of their other flavours (top tip: they have a deal on pizzas every Tuesday).

After all the food and drink, we were truly stuffed, but managed to squeeze in thirty minutes of pool before we left. My pool skills are a huge embarrassment, but it was a great laugh. I think this would be a fab place to come for drinks, nibbles and a few games of pool, even if you are as bad as me and miss the balls more than you hit!

Overall, I had a great time at Slate NQ and would recommend it to everyone, whether you want a nice meal, drinks, or nibbles with friends. I'm already organising a girly night, and thinking of ordering more starters, and maybe trying one of their meat and cheese boards, as they sound delicious. Fingers crossed the sun will be shining and I can enjoy the sun terrace too. 

Let me know what you think of Slate NQ, or I would love some tips on other cool places to eat or drink in the area. Thanks again Slate!!

www.slatenq.co.uk

a little bite of lifestyle

see what I did with the title there?

Last week I was lucky enough to have a little weekend trip to visit one of my best friends in London and indulge in three days of shopping sprees and pretty amazing food. I've been wanting to write some more lifestyle-ish posts for quite a while but I never know what to write about, especially on the things-to-do-or-eat front as my readers are from all over, and lets face it, if you don't live there, its not all that interesting. However, London is a place a lot more people are likely to visit and if you're anything like me I love to check out popular places when I go.

If you do visit either of these two restaurants anytime, I'm pretty sure you won't be dissapointed...

DUCK AND WAFFLE, HERON TOWER

I know what you're thinking. Duck, with waffle, and maple syrup, and egg? Yuck! I'm no fancy eater. I could easily live off pizza and chips, I'm really not one for fancy eating. But this was really really good. We had some really nice garlic and chorizo breads, which was a good idea as they were very filling and the mains were quite small. I also, very bravely, tried a bag of bbq pig ears, which do sound gross but were so so nice! Next you have to have the duck and waffle. I mean if you don't, why are you there? Unless you've been before in which case okay. You've got to try it at least, and you'll probably really like it, it goes together surprisingly well! 

The prices aren't cheap but aren't crazy either, I got all this and a glass of wine and payed £33. But what you really pay for here is the view. From my seat I was almost sat next to the top of the gherkin, with amazing views of the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf too. Plus the glass lift that takes you up is pretty fun. Although it's not the most budget friendly, I really really recommend duck and waffle, even if it's just for a drink in the highest restaurant in Britain!

HOMESLICE, COVENT GARDEN

For something more mainstream, here's a place that was right up my street. Homeslice, in the gorgeous Neals Yard just off Covent Garden. They only do 20" pizzas, you can buy slices, but at £20 for that huge huge piece of yumminess it's not that expensive really, especially seen as you have to share. You can also pick half and half toppings, here we went for salami on one side and spicy peppers and cheeses on the other. The prosecco on tap here was also really yummy, especially sat outside in the sun. I think this is a really nice place to stop midday for a late lunch or just a snack slice if you're peckish. 

That's my two foodie picks if you're visiting London anytime soon, or are lucky enough to live there. Expect a London haul post soon all about the other fun I had walking off my food babies (mostly in Selfridges). 

Did you enjoy this post? Would you like to see more lifestyle? As always I'd love to see your comments and really appreciate a follow on bloglovin if you enjoy what you read.

Love Charlotte

xxx