North East - Urban Night Feast, Newcastle

Last night myself and my lovely friend Paul went on for an unconventional dinner at the first Urban Night Feast in Newcastle's Stephenson Quarter.

The Urban Night Feast has attracted street vendors and chefs from as far a field as Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham, as well as foodies from all over the North East. Last night there was a positively international array of stalls selling culinary delights from Mexico, Vietnam, India, Lebanon. Italy and France, as well as a fantastic seafood stand from local Whitburn Seafood Deli Latimer's. There was also a make-shift bar selling hand-crafted ales from the Wylam Brewery and wines from Passione Vino.

 Open 6pm till Midnight, we arrived about 7pm to be greeted by an enormous but thankfully fast moving queue. Once inside The Boiler Shop, part of the old Stephenson works where one of the first ever steam locomotives was built (bit of local trivia) the atmosphere was that of a bustling street market with music, steam, delicious smells and the noise from hundreds of happy diners filling the cavernous warehouse!

 After much deliberation (and after Paul had purchased a much needed pint (£3.50), I was unfortunately in the driver's seat so no very expensive vino for moi!) we decided on Lebanese Lamb Koffa Wraps with Cous-Cous, fresh Mint and Coriander for £4 (sans Coriander for me) which we delicious! We followed these up with some yummy local seafood, Paul opting for a smoked Haddock and Leak pasty (£2) while I went for outrageously good Salt and Pepper Squid (£4) cooked in seconds before my very eyes! After a bit more wandering and a shot of coffee from the Ouseburn Coffee Company we decided to call it a night...then I spotted the Pizzette camper van complete with wood-fired stove and just had to have a Sweet Thing mini pizza with Sweet Ricotta, Chestnuts and Chocolate (£4.50). Happy Lou!

 Hopefully this will be the first of many Urban Night Feasts, for more information or to sign up for the newsletter check out http://www.urbannightfeast.co.uk/  

North East seafood lovers should visit http://www.latimers.com/