Top 10 Burger Restaurants

I'm back...After taking a huge hiatus from the blogging world, catching up on months of lost sleep from work and A-Levels I am back and this post has been long overdue.

Incase you haven't noticed...I'm a burger lover. There is something so comforting about chowing down on a bun packed to the rafters with all the goodness you expect to see from a classic burger. Perfectly cooked beef, oozy melted cheese, crispy onions and a good dollop of mayo. Nothing better.

It occurred to me that after consuming so many burgers, I always judge the burger on the best that I have had. So if I try a new burger place, I always compare it to that. So I thought that this post would come in handy to all those burger lovers out there that are as passionate about burgers as I am.

In no particular order...I feel like Dermot from The X-Factor...Here we go!

Number 10:
Dirty Burger London

So after watching Lilly Pebbles vlog on YouTube about how she loved Dirty Burger and how they make some of the best burgers in London I was sure I had to go. It didn't disappoint. I visited the Whitechapel branch and it was decked out with an industrial look and "garage feel". With them not messing around when it came to the menu, I chose the classic cheese burger, fries, slaw and a strawberry milkshake. It was absolutely amazing to say the least. The burgers come wrapped and you quickly find out why as they are so so juicy and literally as soon as you bite it, all dignity vanishes. Truly a classic, dirty burger.

Number 9:
Jamies Italian Newcastle

As a massive fan of Jamie Oliver (unpopular opinion) I had to feature his burger in this post. I am a regular visitor to his restaurant for my monthly intake of Italian grub. The Jamies Burger consists of a beef patty, lettuce, tomato, onion and a giant chilli that packs a punch. Paired with posh chips or polenta chips you're in for a treat. You're probably going to struggle to get your mouth round it, which  is why they provide you with a knife to tackle it.  A must try!

Number 8:
Bryon Burger Leeds

After hearing loads of bloggers/YouTuber's saying how good byron burgers were, I knew I had to pay them a visit. After going to Leeds for a day out, I saw Byron burger but had already eaten. I returned a couple of months later and the highly anticipated visit to Byron burger left me needing to include it in this post. Byron have a great vibe in their restaurants and being a place that sells burgers specifically you know you're in safe hands. Their burgers are perfectly formed with fried onions, special sauce and cheese. Truly amazing.

Number 7:
Hop And Cleaver Newcastle

I love smoke houses that specify in serving quality smoked meats and steaks. Being a proud Northerner, and being a huge believer that we have some of the best restaurants in our country, I would say that 'The Hop And Cleaver' is up there with one of the best. Truly. They made their restaurant look like a brewery and focus their food around pairing it with great home brewed ales. Their food stands out even more for me. No fuss, simple burger and fries combination however done so well.

Number 6: 
Jam Jar, Jesmond

A recent find and one I'm so glad I did. Social media is so effective when finding new places to eat. This was a fine example, I saw their post on Facebook of their milkshakes and they looked mouth watering, The full vibe of this restaurant is amazing. They have amazing wall art, quirky light fittings and classic chunky wooden tables and chairs. I opted for a strawberry milkshake and a 'Cow VS Pig' burger with pulled pork, apple sauce and cheese. It was absolutely delicious. I would definitely go back purely for the dog that was sat on the bar stool that made the experience so much better.

Number 5:
Fat Hippo, Newcastle

Possibly one of the best burgers i've ever had the joy of consuming. The setting of this restaurant is what makes the whole experience truly a joy. The restaurant is underground, you don't expect much from the outside but you go down two flights of stairs and are submerged in pure burger heaven. With a cool bar to relax at while you have a drink, and a separate dining area to chow down on your burger, it just works. Their dirty fries are a delight themselves but their burgers...i'm getting hungry writing about them. All I can say is that they are bloomin marvellous.

Number 4: 
Honest Burger, London

Again, another YouTube inspired visit however after hearing such great things about Honest Burgers I knew it was for me. They are all about good honest flavours and delivering quality food that has no fuss or anything added to it just good, honest burgers. I went to the Kings Cross restaurant and it was delicious to say the least. Their homemade lemonade and salted rosemary fries stood out for me. Paired with a juicy, classic cheese burger watching tourists rush for their train was possibly the best way to eat this burger.

Number 3: 
Bill's Restaurant, Durham 

I couldn't not feature this in my top 10. However biased I may seem, working in this restaurant means you get a first hand view on how the burgers are made and how quality they are. Having consumed more than I would like to mention, I can sure they are amazing. I go for the Bill's Burger medium/well with cheese and bacon and swap my fries for sweet potato ones and it's a winning combination. Seeded bun, red onion and horseradish mayo. Classic, famous and simple. Cannot ask for more.

Number 2:
Tango, Durham

Tango have already featured on my blog and for good reason. They are a steakhouse and burger restaurant and serve some of the best burgers in the area. I go for the Tango classic which pairs crispy fried onions with BBQ sauce, cheese and bacon in a brioche bun and it's nothing short of delightful. Again, they have great surroundings and some amazing people working there who can make a cracking cocktail to pair with your burger. It's somewhere I go and will never be disappointed.

Number 1: 
Gormet Burger Kitchen

After visiting GBK last year in York for the first time I was so glad they had finally taken the plunge and opened one in a shopping centre close to me. They know exactly what they're doing and they do it well. No fuss, self service and a great end meal. They have some amazing flavour combinations so you will never get bored of their menu. Little details like the tomato shaped ketchup bottles and free help yourself peanuts. It all add's to a great experience. Their burgers are perfectly formed and go down a treat!

And there we have it, A journey that has made me hungry and craving burgers like never before. If you know any burger restaurants that you know I would love, please leave them in the comments because I love trying new places!

Thank you for reading, 

Luke. 

Super Bright Smoothie | Recipe

So...Summer is on it's way and everyone vows to ditch the cakes and carbs in a search for the perfect beach body. Well most of us do anyway. I have never been a massive health fanatic and really struggled to contain my cravings for all things sweet. However, this year I really have been making a conscious effort to try and stay clear of refined sugars and attempt to stick to healthy alternatives.

Eating healthy isn't just for the image, it has hundreds of benefits including higher energy levels, clearer skin and just general improved bodily health. I know we are all told time and time again to eat 5 portions of fruit and veg a day but like any normal person, that isn't always easy to do. Especially being a student, going to college, revising and going to work leaves little to no time to think about food. Smoothies are a great way to easily get your fruit and veg into you with little to no fuss. I work at Bill's and we serve a "Super Green Smoothie" containing Spinach, Banana puree, Grape Pure and Grape Juice. It's super sweet and so delicious served ice cold. So this is my spin on the smoothie with a few other added ingredients.

Ingredients: (Makes 1 Large Smoothie)

-1 Banana

-5 Pieces of Mango (Frozen)

-1 Handful of Kale (30g)

-2tsp Honey

-3tbsp Rolled Oats

-100ml of Coconut Water or Orange Juice

Method: 

1. Start by putting your banana and mango into your blender. I use a 'Nutri Bullet' and it's great for quick and easy blending. The 'Breville Blend Active' is a good alternative. 

 2. Add your Kale and your honey. The honey is optional but gives it a rich, sweet flavour.

 3. Then add your rolled oats. Oats are great in smoothies, especially on a morning as they are a great source of energy and keep you fuller for longer.

 4. Now it's time for the fluids, Almond milk, Coconut Water or Orange Juice are great in smoothies. If you have similar blender to me, put the liquid in last as it's easier for the blender to blitz the fruit.

 5. Pour into you favourite glass and top with some more rolled oats.

Glass: Mason Jar, Collectables £3
Striped Straw: Amazon £2 (Pack of 30)

There you have it. A vibrant, flavoursome Super Bright/Green Smoothie. Smoothies are sooo easy to make and really are a great way to pack loads of goodness into your diet. I think they also look great and you can make them for your friends and family. 

Thank you so much for reading and don't forget to take a photo of your smoothie and tag me on Instagram. All my social media links are above.

Luke. 

Mini Blueberry & Banana Protein Bread

So in a bid to lead a 'healthier' yes, emphasis on healthier and not an extreme change to cut out any sight of chocolate. I have always struggled with my sweet tooth, as you can probably tell from my blog I genuinely would favour sweet over savoury. I have been trying to find some healthy alternatives for my go to chocolate bar or a slice of cake. Smoothies have been my saviour and there will be a post soon on some quick and easy recipes.

Recently however I really wanted some cake, no surprises there so I was on the hunt for a healthy cake recipe. I found a recipe for a banana loaf but it had so much sugar, butter and flour in it I thought it would be an idea to change some ingredients to make it slightly better for you. If you are one of those people who loves speedy food that you can just grab and go, these little guys are perfect for you!

Ingredients: (Makes 8 Mini Loaves)

1 1/2 half cups of rolled oats

2 scoops of protein (any brand)

1/2 cup Sweetener

1/3 cup Greek Yoghurt

2tsp Baking Powder

100g pack of Blueberries 

3 Bananas mashed

2 Egg Whites

1 Whole Egg

1tsp Vanilla Extract

Cinnamon & Oats for topping

Equipment: 

Mini Loaf Tin

Blender or Bullet Blender

Greaseproof Paper

Method:

1. Start by pre-heating your oven to 180 degrees.
2. Now measure out your oats, baking powder, and protein and add them to your blender and blitz for around 30 seconds so you get a fine floury crumb.

3. Empty the flour mix into a bowl and add the sweetener.

4. Back in the blender add your egg and egg whites, banana, vanilla and natural yoghurt.

5. Add the wet mixture to the dry flour and whisk till combined.

6. Now add your blueberries and fold through, until combined don't over mix otherwise the blueberries will burst and you want to try and keep them whole.
7. Spoon the batter into either a loaf tin or individual loaf tins lined with strips of baking parchment. This will make it easier to take out.

8. Top with a sprinkling of cinnamon and oats and put in the oven for 15 minutes or until cooked and golden brown on top.

9. Leave in the tin for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

These are super easy to make and genuinely do taste AMAZING!! Even for those who have no time at all, these take half an hour to prepare and cook. Then you can just shot them into a container and grab one with a smoothie and go. Perfect. And of course you can completely customise these, the first batch I made had chocolate chips in if you want something a little more indulgent. 

If you make these, let me know because I love seeing your photos and finding out how they turned out.

Thanks for reading,

Luke. 

Gooey Cream Egg Brownies | Recipe

Yep, it's that time of the year again. The supermarkets are flooded with everything from Malteser bunnies to giant 4kg easter eggs...no joke it's like a full isle of chocolate and i'm not complaining. So recently I saw a Instagram post of some amazing looking cream egg brownies from one of my favourite instagrammers 'itslittlelauren' I instantly knew I had to make them. I based this recipe on my go to brownie recipe and added some cream eggs, a little vanilla and salt to make these perfect little things. Enjoy!

Ingredients: (Makes 9 large brownies)

185g Unsalted Butter

185g Dark Chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids)

85g Plain Flour

40g Cocoa Powder

3 Large Free Range Eggs

275g Golden Caster Sugar

5 Cadbury Cream Eggs

Pinch of salt

1tsp Vanilla Extract

 Method: 

1. Preheat your oven to 160 degrees and line a 9 inch square baking tin with some greaseproof paper. Set aside for later. 

2. Now melt together your measured butter and dark chocolate in a heat proof bowl either in short bursts in the microwave or over a pan of hot water. 

 3. In a separate bowl, whisk together with an electric whisk the caster sugar, eggs and vanilla  till they have doubled in volume and look very pale. This takes around 5-8 minutes so be patient.

 4. Now add your chocolate mixture to your egg mixture, to do this by knocking as least air out of the egg mix as possible add it all in one area down the side. This keeps the brownies nice and light. Fold this through gently till fully combined.

5. Now add your measured flour, cocoa powder and salt, this is best sifted in then fold until completely smooth. 

6. Once the brownie mix is fully combined, pour into the baking tin. I level the tin out to help with the cooking. Bake for 15 minutes. 

 7. Take out of the oven after 15 minutes and add the halved Cadbury cream eggs in rows of 3. Pushing them gently into the surface.

 8. Return back to the oven and bake for a further 10 minutes or until the brownies look to be cooked on top but when a knife is inserted in the middle it comes out clean. If your brownies have a slight wobble to them this is good. Take them out of the oven and cool in the tin completely so when they set they go all fudgey.

9. To serve the brownies I find it easier to remove the whole thing on the baking paper and then cut them into 9 squares on the paper. 

And there we have it. Warm, fudgey Cadbury Cream Egg Brownies. These genuinely are amazing either fresh out the oven, on their own with a cup of tea or slightly warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They truly are perfect. Be sure to give these a go this Easter, it's great to get everyone involved and a way to stop you eating all your cream egg's at once.

Enjoy, 

Luke. 

ASDA Homewear Haul

So recently I found myself watching a video on YouTube of a haul Tanya Burr was doing on the "Mums Eye View" channel. In the video, she shows all the items she picked up from the ASDA home section. ASDA always have a great selection of home items, so when I saw the video I knew I was due a trip to see what they had. You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihW9KHuS-cQ

The first item I picked up was this lamp. It is called the 'Globe Lamp' and I genuinely think that it was made for me. I used to have a desk lamp which was this great big burley thing and it did the job but was no where near as cool to look at compared to this.

Globe Lamp £15

It was £15 and I think it's a bargain. It has this chrome effect on the base and a huge glass surround that projects light around your room. Here is a link where you can pick up this lamp: http://direct.asda.com/George-Home-Glass-Globe-Lamp/001762665,default,pd.html?cgid=D26M01G01C07S04

 I then had a wander down the textiles type section and saw these two cushions. The first was featured in Tanya's haul which is the map cushion. It has a neutral look to it but a robust feel which I think would look great in anyones room. The link is here: http://direct.asda.com/George-Home-Map-Cushion/002040741,default,pd.html?cgid=D26M02G02C01 The second cushion purchased was the the one with American flag printed on it, again it has a really robust feel to it and with it being a different shape it adds more interest. Unfortunately I couldn't find the link for the cushion on the website but if you have a look in the home section, you may still be able to find it.

Map Cushion £7
Flag Cushion £7

The next item too is from ASDA however it was a purchase made last year. It is a London themed small cushion which was £5. I'm not sure if they sell it anymore but it's great for softening up spaces in your room where a lot of furniture sits.

I have been on the search for a new duvet set for a while now, this one immediately caught my eye. It has a skyline print which covers the full duvet and the words NYC are printed on the front which I really like. It completely brightened up my room and fits with all the images I have on my wall behind of traveling.

I would say that the print is reversible which I think is a really great idea. So if you get bored of the original print you can just flip it over and you have a whole new set. I went for some plain white sheets and pillow cases which were really inexpensive. Here is the link to the set, it was £12 for a single set.  http://direct.asda.com/George-Home-NYC-Manhattan-Skyline-Duvet-Range%C2%A0/GHManhattanSkylineDuvetSet,default,pd.html

There are still a few items that I want to buy, but they didn't have them in store so I picked up a catalogue to oder them online to pick up. I saw these binoculars on Tanya's haul and really liked them. Sticking with the travel theme, I think they would look great on my shelf with my camera and some books.

Binoculars £8

Then I saw a globe which I have always wanted but never really found one. I have looked in charity shops but when I saw this in the ASDA magazine I knew it had to be added to the list. I think it looks great with the rustic background and really would fit in placed on my desk.

Globe Ornament £15

All the items listed are available in store or on ASDA direct. I think they really have some great pieces and if you don't have the budget to completely re-do your room, adding some little touches can really make a huge difference. I think these will look great when I go to Uni next year too. 

As ever thank you for reading,

Luke. 

A day out in Leeds

I'm one of those people who hates routine, getting up, going to work/college, coming home, having something to eat and then going to bed. I think sometimes it's really nice to do something different. When my friend said they were going to Leeds for a University interview I jumped at the chance to go, purely for what I had heard about Leeds. A 2 hour car journey later, getting lost a couple of times and we made it. Here is what I got up to.

So our first point of call was Nandos. Something about spending two hours in a car makes you crave chicken...or maybe that's just me? As non-adventourus as we were going for a Nandos it didn't dissapoint. I tried to Peach Iced Tea and it was so good! 

 In true Nandos style I went for a single hot chicken wrap with peri peri chips and garlic bread. Doesn't get any better than that! Kinda wish we were a little more patient because we found a Byron Burger and a Wagamama soon after which would have also went down well!

After asking the waiter in Nandos where the best places were to shop, we found our way to the Trinity Centre and well...it all went down hill for my bank card then.

The centre was HUGE! It had literally every shop you could want both inside and out. We ended up spending nearly three hours here so it's no surprise I spent so much money! 

I thought the Urban Outfitters in Newcastle was good but genuinely this is the best I've been in. It literally had everything. From vintage, re-claimed shirts to a music room and a whole section of cool books and homeware items, it was great. Could have spent hours in there...and probably hundreds of pounds if I didn't stop myself. I found a baseball T with burgundy long arms perfect for layering, so I snapped that up and left before I could buy anything else.

  Then of course it had to happen...we found a Topman. Again, Newcastle's Topman is big, but this one was huge. They had a suit department, longline T's, a whole section for boots, shoes and bags I was in my element. I ended up settling for a oversized longline white T with tartan detailing on the bottom. Perfect with some black skinnies and sneaks.

 We then found ourselves in River Island and with two purchases already in the bag, I was on the lookout for something different. After wanting a bomber jacket for a while, I was so surprised to find one in the sale for just £15. It fit perfectly so I had to snap that up! I also was looking at their jeans which gave me an idea to rip some of my old black skinnies instead of buying some.

 Feeling the strain of all the shopping, it was time for a coffee stop.

 We opted for Cafe Nero for a change. I had gotten 9 stamps from buying coffee's before so my 10th drink was free. I went for the banana and caramel frappe and it was unreal. Literally so sweet but perfect none the less. Made it taste even better knowing it was free.

Surely we could squeeze a couple more shops in before we had to go back? We ducked into H&M and I had to restrain myself from buying another T-Shirt which I liked but probably didn't need. I opted for a smart layered look with a trench and shirt/jumper combo. I thought ahead so didn't go for a heavy thick coat and some comfy boots for walking. I'm wearing: 

Coat Boohoo Man

Jumper ASOS

Shirt ZARA

Jeans Topman

Boots Boohoo 

Bag ASOS

 The LUSH window display looked too good not to have a wander in. Sure enough we caved and bought some bath bombs. I chose the Fizzbanger which reminded me of sherbet lemons I used to eat when I was younger.

 The workers in the Leeds store were super friendly, giving us demonstrations of the bath bombs. I always look at the gift sets because they look so good!

 Wandering back from a serious shop, I found myself in the American section of Tesco where they sold all kinds of crazy flavour sweets. I went for some S'more flavoured Pop-Tarts and some white chocolate vanilla Oreos.

 I think I'm a little bit in love with Leeds and definitely will be going back soon. It was so nice to have a day off from college and have a wander around somewhere new. Leeds, I'll soon be returning!

Thanks for reading,

Luke.