Looking for a nice restaurant, any suggestions?

[MeLLoN Stu]

Evening all.

A few of us are planning to go for a meal locally as a double birthday celebration, on friday or saturday night.
Lumley Castle is top of the list so far, as they've got an Elizabethan Banquet taking place friday night which are always a good night. Failing that perhaps saturday night and A la carte.

Just wondering if anyone has any other suggestions, totally open minded as long as it's a nice place with good food and drinks, that's not too far removed from Durham, say 20 mile radius.

Cheers,

Stu.

[judge* gez]

There was a topic on fine dining in Newcastle a little while ao, but can't seem to find it. The Black Door would be my choice, and the sentiment was echoed by a few other members.

Gez

[jeffc]

with the wscc we had our xmas meal at Ravensworth arms at Lamsley , meal and service was spot on no complaints and best thing was the price !

Prince bishop at Brandon was always nice and heard good reports about the pub just down fron nevilles cross used to be Stonebridge (may have changed name? )

[Ali-D]

May not be the cheapest place in the world but "The Pump House" food is fantastic!!!
The "Plough Inn" at Shadforth. The food is also excellent and you get loads!!!

[Passenger Gez]

Found that old thread...

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=320821&r=4240550&hm=68901#4240550

[ray_von]

Stu try The Moorings just up the road in Pelton Fell

[howmanlass]

jeffc said:

with the wscc we had our xmas meal at Ravensworth arms at Lamsley , meal and service was spot on no complaints and best thing was the price !

Prince bishop at Brandon was always nice and heard good reports about the pub just down fron nevilles cross used to be Stonebridge (may have changed name? )

Used to love the Ravensworth but the last couple of times have been really disappointing, very slow service and poor customer service from the staff. They obviously had a management change in the last year or two and it's never been the same since. shame really.

I prefer the Lambton Arms at Eighton Banks. Also had a nice meal at the newly re-opened Bowes Incline hotel last week. Don't tend to venture much further south that often, maybe I should...

[MeLLoN Stu]

Thanks for the suggestions!

Ray_Von: Agree the moorings is very nice, but we go there fairly regularly so were looking for a change really

Ravensworth is a good one i hadn't thought about
I do like the look of The Black Door, the menu looks superb in both the restaurant and brasserie. Divine almost.
Decisions decisions.....

Muchos Gracias amigos!

Edited by MeLLoN Stu on Saturday 17th February 15:51

[ray_von]

Stu if you get a noble give me the nod so I can pop round to yours so I can give it the once over. I would come round now but not interested in jap crap(joke)

[MeLLoN Stu]

will do mate.

doors always open if you fancy a cuppa, well, unless i'm out of course.

[ray_von]

MeLLoN Stu said:

doors always open if you fancy a cuppa, well, unless i'm out of course.

People being out has never stopped me, in fact i prefer it

[MeLLoN Stu]

knock yourself out, anything important is in the safe, alarm is police moitored, and 2 of my neighbours are plod, just make sure you torch the place before you leave, been looking for an excuse to move and i hate this house

[wendyg]

Followed the previous thread, agreed with most. Depends what you are looking for. The Ravensworth Arms is unreliable, can be great, can be pants, depends on the staff and how busy they are. It's basically decent pub food with a few pretensions. Maybe £15 a head for two decent courses.

I went to the Black Door last week, lovely place. Service was a bit down, but I suspect that was a blip. Food was unquestionably excellent. £150 for two people, three courses plus ordinary wine.

I've had a couple of meals at Lumley Castle. Great surroundings, lovely staff. Food was good, although I didn't notice any alterations to the menu over a two year period. (Having said that, all visits have been in February, so hopefully they have seasonal menus!!) £150 for two people, plus ordinary wine.

There are plenty of places in between, so if you want helpful suggestions, post a budget.

[trooperiziz]

wendyg said:

Followed the previous thread, agreed with most. Depends what you are looking for. The Ravensworth Arms is unreliable, can be great, can be pants, depends on the staff and how busy they are. It's basically decent pub food with a few pretensions. Maybe £15 a head for two decent courses.

I went to the Black Door last week, lovely place. Service was a bit down, but I suspect that was a blip. Food was unquestionably excellent. £150 for two people, three courses plus ordinary wine.

I've had a couple of meals at Lumley Castle. Great surroundings, lovely staff. Food was good, although I didn't notice any alterations to the menu over a two year period. (Having said that, all visits have been in February, so hopefully they have seasonal menus!!) £150 for two people, plus ordinary wine.

There are plenty of places in between, so if you want helpful suggestions, post a budget.

As I started the original thread, I guess I should do an update

Went to the Black Door for valentines night, really really good, comes fully recommended from the Trooper household. About £130 for 2 including wine.

If you fancy a trip north, we went to the Norton House hotel just outside Edinburgh this weekend, to their Ushers restaurant. Equally as good as the Black Door, but the food was a little less "honest", bordering on too fancy for my taste. 3 AA rosettes apparently. £100 for 2 including wine.

Edited by trooperiziz on Monday 19th February 09:30

[allyt]

If there are a few of you check Hanahana out, amazing atmosphere and freshest food cooked right in front of you. My favourite for Birthdays.

www.hanahana.co.uk/

Edited by allyt on Monday 19th February 16:31

[passenger gez]

Good call Al, hanahana is great for birthdays. V different to things like the black door but its a great atmosphere and the cook the tepanyaki at your table which is great if there is a party of you.

[The Surveyor]

Stu

Have you tried Bistro 21 at Aykley Heads, i went about a year go and was impressed, and nice and local too if you're looking in Durham.

Paul

[allyt]

passenger gez said:

Good call Al, hanahana is great for birthdays. V different to things like the black door but its a great atmosphere and the cook the tepanyaki at your table which is great if there is a party of you.

Wheres the judge gone ?

Edited by allyt on Monday 19th February 21:29

[Stu R]

Thanks again everyone

We're deciding tonight, and so far The Black Door seems a good bet.


Bistro 21 i like, and had forgotten about if i'm honest.

Hanahana sounds great, but i'm still a relative newcomer to Japanese food, and will probably end up asking for the nasty bits of fugu or something
Pani's in Newcastle was another i was suggested. Italian if memory serves.

I'll let you all know which we decide upon, and thanks again to everyone for the suggestions


ETA: as you might have guessed i changed my name to drop the Mellon bit, as the questions regarding where it came from and was it just a misspelled fruit were bugging me

Edited by Stu R on Tuesday 20th February 17:41

[minimoog]

Stu R said:

Thanks again everyone

We're deciding tonight, and so far The Black Door seems a good bet.


Bistro 21 i like, and had forgotten about if i'm honest.

Hanahana sounds great, but i'm still a relative newcomer to Japanese food, and will probably end up asking for the nasty bits of fugu or something
Pani's in Newcastle was another i was suggested. Italian if memory serves.

I'll let you all know which we decide upon, and thanks again to everyone for the suggestions


ETA: as you might have guessed i changed my name to drop the Mellon bit, as the questions regarding where it came from and was it just a misspelled fruit were bugging me

Edited by Stu R on Tuesday 20th February 17:41

Pani's has turned into a right production line with a real 'get 'em in , throw the bare minimum at 'em, and get 'em out again' ethic. Shame cos I used to like it for cheap fare. Doing Cafe 21 (Bistro 21's sibling) on Friday for the first time in a while. Still meant to be reliable I believe. Considered the Black Door but a little steep for me and had heard a couple of lukewarm reviews, though I'm not sure if they weren't for the Black Door Brasserie instead.

Edited by minimoog on Wednesday 21st February 08:06