Newcastle Eating – Violets Cafe

In the land of Newcastle Upon Tyne there’s one thing that really gets me hot under the collar, and that’s a new place to eat brunch. Violets Cafe is the long awaited foodie venture of Abbie Atkinson, the wife of Michelin starred chef Kenny Atkinson of House of Tides fame, so you know it’s gonna be good.  Nestled among the beautiful architecture of Newcastle Quayside Violets Cafe is sure to take the city by storm.  For the past few months I’ve been peering through the windows on my walk to work, excited for the day it would open its doors so I could feast my greedy little face.  Finally, I got my wish.

I woke up with the sun streaming through the window, cat scratching at the door and boyfriend still snoring away contently.  I closed the window, allowed my marauding animals access to the bedroom and shook Kris awake nice and early, for today, we brunch hard!

We’re lucky to live right on the banks of the River Tyne so we left the car at home and took a sunny stroll into Newcastle. I’d already anticipated I was going to do some major damage, so burning a few calories on the way surely can’t hurt.  Plus, beautiful days are few and far between up here, so we gotta enjoy these babies when we can.

We arrived at Violets with empty tummies, eager to be filled.  The breakfast menu is small but perfectly formed. Even though there were only around 8 options I found it super difficult to decide, everything just looked so delicious.

I finally settled on the buttermilk waffle with half an English breakfast, eggs poached of course, while Kris battled with indecisiveness over the bakers basket.  Much to my dismay he opted to ignore the heaving basket of delectable sounding pastries for another buttermilk waffle, this time topped with smoked salmon, avocado, poached eggs and hollandaise.  I guess that means we’ll have to come back, what a crying shame!

Just look at that avocado, dripping in foamy hollandaise.  Are you drooling, because I am!

Everything about our breakfast was just perfect, the sausage in particular was just delicious.  If I were to get this again I think I’d order a little pot of hollandaise or baked beans on the side, but that’s probably just me being greedy again.

Since Kris cheated me out of sticky, sweet buns we decided to round off an already indulgent meal with more coffee and a few slices of cake.  Why not, eh?!  Kris opted for the fresh out of the oven raspberry bakewell, while I went for my favourite lemon and raspberry drizzle.

The lovely Abbie brought our cakes over and we had a nice little chat about how things are going for the Violets team.  I’m so happy that things are going well for the guys down there, their passion is undeniable and if you’re knocking out meals like ours everyday I can see Violets becoming an amazing addition to the booming foodie haven springing up in Newcastle.  I, for one, am itching to sample the afternoon tea.  A cold glass of prosecco included, of course.

We left with two very full, very happy tummies discussing our next visit.  I can’t wait.

Violets Cafe, 5-7 Side, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3JE