BITE user comments - alister
Comments by alister
Looking for somewhere to eat and drink after a long journey and saw this place, there were other families in their so decided to give it a try.
Got a bottle of wine and soft drinks and then asked to order food. Knew it wouldn't be great food but burgers all round would do us. Asked if restaurant was still open and the answer was yes.
Then we got told we couldn't order food as we had children with us. wasted bottle of wine that then. and we left.
PUT A SIGN UP you wasted our time
3 Nov 2010 13:31
Toronto Lodge Inn, Bishop Aukland
I have to first say that my view is from a few months ago.
I had the worst food I have ever had at any pub, cafe, restaurant anywhere at this establishment. I was astonished at black chicken korma and astounded it had no chicken in it.
I had NO service, none, not an iota of it.
Rating ..... ZERO
30 Apr 2010 00:25
The Frog and Ferret, Spennymoor
Always a good pint to be had in the ferret. A Cool place to beveridge onself.
30 Oct 2008 20:36
Fir Tree Country Hotel, Fir Tree
What you have to remember is that this is actually a hotel.
I found the staff to be friendly and the Scottish Lady in charge was more than willing to chat. It is also a pleasant place to sit and have a drink with the added bonus that food can be ordered at not an expensive amount.
I personally would not travel here for a meal but it's handy location at the side of the A68 means that if you are passing and you feel thirsty or peckish, Then yeah, go for it.
30 Oct 2008 20:31
tell you what. i just can't keep away from this place.... it's just good.
bring back the forties
3 Oct 2005 00:53
Tap and Spile, Framwellgate Moor
y colleague.... Linda reckons this place has crackin cider. and a 'tinternet pal of mine says it has crackin ales. they both say it has a crackin quiz... weds i think. ill check it out and post back
3 Oct 2005 00:50
Oh Dear. I Never knew that Kings Lodge had got it! That changes things. I must pop in to see but i suspect more of the kings lodge feel.
shame
real shame....
hope they can create the same atmosphere
3 Oct 2005 00:41
this is not a pub... its a large sports bar come eveninig joint. and it is grotty......
3 Oct 2005 00:37
im sorry put this paultry 4.3 rating currently displayed is simply not fair. it is in no way a real ale drinkers paradise but it surely is a galant place to drink on the decking of a summers afternoon.
it is absolutely a fine effort.
3 Oct 2005 00:30
I visited this pub for the first time on friday gone. I only had a chance of getting one pint but... you know what? if you want a proper pub, with a good atmosphere and some decent beer.
GIVE IT A GO
24 Jun 2005 19:19
I stayed here for the night. It's pants! beer is moderate, food was poor to moderate and nothing about.
9 Jun 2005 22:19
Locomotion Number One, Heighington
I must admit to being rather surprised. Nice Place,good decor, GREAT BEERS!!
I had Adnams Regatta which went down very very well, but moreover was the rather excellent Fillet Steak I enjoyed tonight. Perfectly cooked and a very decent bit of cow.
Real chips too, which were accompanied by real onion rings and real veg and real well you get the picture. It was all traditional but all fresh. nothing frozen here.
but those beers man.
1 Jun 2005 23:44
Birth place of captain cook? No but he did work there.
I had two fab evenings in this pub and couple of lunches.
great pub make no mistake, food is ordinary pub fare which in essence is tasty. not overpriced at all but what makes this ob is the landlord/landlady. they are more than happy to talk... oh and the beer is well kept.
top marks
27 May 2005 00:17
This place is a real mix. A scruffy pub, a decent restaurant and an outside area that serves the cheaper bar meals.
I remember ordering two lots of crevettes but on one plate thank you. service was good and after finishing the hot shellfish i sat back down on the plastic outdoor chair which promptly gave way and I went crashing to the floor much to the amuesment of my fellow scranners and the waitress.
I think the beer is good, the food is good and the atmosphere is fine. you can have a conversation in here, but you do get a funny look if you ask for a treble vodka.
22 May 2005 09:07
Err right. well this is my local
Decent beer now. and a how shall we say, varied mix of drinkers. all regulars. Outsiders though are alwaysmade welcome... normally by me. ;0)
2 Mar 2005 12:54
An old pub with a very friendly atmosphere. Plenty of things hanging from the ceiling and the hub of the community. You know one of those where the vicar comes in and talks to the local bobby who talks to the headmaster etc... Cheap and very varied menu. Ostrich, crocodile, kangaroo and always your traditional faves. Proper good well kept beer and very friendly landlord/lady.
2 Mar 2005 12:52
Much improved since it stopped being scruffy murphys and returned to being The City nee Hotel. However I am always a bit wasted by the time I get here and therefore cannot tell you how good the beer is because i am onto shorts by then. Friendly service though
2 Mar 2005 12:38
This place had a good overhaul recently and is a pleasant place to sit. Small bar for your drinking pleasure and the beer is good for a pub filled with the well heeled from london (they can put a head on it)It serves food and is aiming itself at the food market. The food is average
2 Mar 2005 12:33
Strange one this. Been going there for years admittedly only in the summer. The beer varies and the prices aint cheap but sitting outside, sipping a nice cold one boat watching as the sun goes down can't be beaten. I have to rate it as one of my favourite places. That rating is no reflection on the service or quality of products. Although It was selling biltong last time I was there!
ahh, the sound of small outboards and laughter on a warm summers eve... brings it all flooding back as the snow falls outside. Alister Ruddick
2 Mar 2005 12:31
The Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden
I absolutley adore this place. Coming from the North east I was under the impression that the folk in London were not friendly. Well I was wrong.
Fab, Fab little pub tucked away and even has little brass plaques on the bar to let you know the names of some of the past regulars.
Love it Love it.
30 Jan 2005 12:56
In terms of history and the like this place rocks. I like it but then the suits arrive and spoil it all, but hey ho they disappear within an hour or so.
I seem to remember that prior to the Great Fire this place was supposedly a quarter of a mile long.
Also it is right next door to guys hospital and the accomodation for student nurses. Say no more!
30 Jan 2005 12:39
Superb. A Real hidden gem in the gorgeous city of Durham. Still has all of it's original victorian tiles insode and outside of the pub and is rightly listed. Good selection of drinks and you would have to go some to beat their whisky collection.
10/10 for drinking.
30 Jan 2005 12:30
When they first opened this joint I thought it was a fabulous place, but now it is full of old drunks and dirty jeans.
I haven't been since they refused to serve me lunch because my wife was her work clothes. She is a dance teacher and therefore wears jogging bottoms. they young girl behind the bar informed me that they were not aloud to serve people wearing trackies!
seems they are aloud to serve old codgers in p*ss stained jeans though. And all of this after having been regulars for lunch for some time.
Despite this I still will give it a reasonable rating for it's location, size, range of drinks and cheap Wetherspoon's food.
30 Jan 2005 12:27
The Swan and Three Cygnets, Durham
This to me is merely a decent pub. Not great just decent. Summer evenings are fine here due to it's location at the end of Elvet Bridge and overlooking the river. It is a Sams Smiths pub and therefore you do get large measures of spirits and strange tasting Ayingerbrau.
I only stop off here whilst waiting for a taxi but it's OK
30 Jan 2005 12:21
The Shakespeare Tavern, Durham
I adore the 'Shakey' It serves up good Northern ale and the odd toastie but this place is sooo much more. A church is only as good as it's congregation and although this is not a church of god it is a temple to the drinker.
This is a real old fashioned pub, not a fake old fashioned pub. A small bar then through a doorway and there is a little snug on the left and on the right is a back room.
The toilets are as near to being an outdoor netty as you get these days.
I just love it and the folk in there.
TOP DRAWER! 10/10
30 Jan 2005 12:17
Number 22 Alehouse and Canteen, Darlington
I love 22's. Having given it big legs from a place called Hogans I was on the look out for a spot of lunch and some none neanderthals to talk to or even sit next to and I happened upon 22's. I was gobsmacked. A great selection of ales and wines from the bottle. A nice easy luch followed and what has followed that? My wife and I visit pretty regularly even though we live 20 miles away.
Well done to everyone in there. Nice atmosphere well kept drink.
10/10 It is as spot on as I can get.
30 Jan 2005 12:07
A number of years ago they changed this pub from an ordinary market place pub into one of these retro victorian spit and sawdust efforts. Old wooden floorbaords hold up old wooden barrells that double as tables, which in turn stand next to old walls which are the final resting place for reproduction old photo's of durham. You know what I mean? It's authentic 90's retro of the 1890's. Overall it is ok and yes I do go in there from time to time. They do have a good selection of drinks including some german wheat beers which as i remember were.... well ........ yuck.
6/10 it's ok.
30 Jan 2005 12:01
Oh dear. I happened to get off the train at Darlington one day and wandered into this place. I gave it a rating of two, merely for the ridulously priced beer. All I can say is that I drank about half of it and gave it legs to another boozer elsewhere in the town. The folk inside looked like they had escaped from a high security facility and kept trying to sell me things from who knows where. Scary. One flew over the cuckoo's nest springs to mind.
Perhaps I am being a little harsh. The beer was ok (what I drank of it)the location was good for the East Coast main Line travellers amongst you and in fairness it is cheap, dirt cheap. Perhaps it is just I would rather pay more for my slurrrppp and feel comfortable in the knowlege that Neanderthal man is not lying in wait for me.
30 Jan 2005 11:54
A proper city centre pub. Nice layout and decent beer. Never seems to be overcrowded but then again it never seems to be too friendly. Don't get me wrong, there's no bother but it just aint quite there and never has been. Good all the same and is on my list for my weekly jaunts in the centre of this fine city.
30 Jan 2005 11:48
I have taken a good slurp of many a differing ale in this pub. The pub itself is quite large and has a large conservatory to the rear. Also to the rear is a beer garden which is pleasant during the summer as it stands over the middle reaches of the River Tees. The food is good too and it is a bit of a destination pub for residents of Darlington. But most of all the Landlord is friendly and knows his beer for the local trade. Top Drawer
30 Jan 2005 11:45
I absolutley love this old pub along old elvet. I have been visiting it for years now. It's friendly, cozy, quaint etc.. but most of all the beer is kept well and you can enjoy lively conversation without having to shout. The Dun Cow is superb!
30 Jan 2005 11:42
Toronto Lodge Inn, Bishop Aukland
I would like to start this review by apologising to the following:
The Quarry Burn, Hunwick, The Joiners Arms, Hunwick, The Red Lion, North Bitchburn and many others. I would like to apologise to their owners, managers and especially front of house staff.
It is so very easy to forget how important the people we see and speak to at any establishment are. I remember on numerous occasions asking a waitress or waiter to compliment the chef on his cooking, I remember thinking to myself how good a place was based solely on the food received. I remember how wrong I was.
The difference between a good place and a bad place can so easily overlooked as tonight suggested.
We visited the Lodge in Toronto, Bishop Auckland having previously having had superb food and good service and tonight we expected no difference even though we knew there was new management as I really, really wanted to will those who take on a challenge like running a business to do well.
Upon booking the gentleman shook my hand and I have to say I was impressed with that. It said to me that this man wants this to work, he cares, is passionate and wants the customer experience to be good. Upon arrival for our meal it was not quite the same.
We arrived at The Lodge about 3 minutes late and as I approached the bar area I apologised for our late arrival which suitably was responded to by a 'no problem' and a smile. Good!
Then nothing happened until I asked for some drinks and this is where the customer service savvy should kick in. Normally you find a member of staff letting you know how the ordering system works, asking if you'd like a drink and perhaps recommending a main course. I am right in thinking that?
So time passed and we sat in the well decorated and comfortable seating area at the front of the house, whilst perusing the menu; and having decided what we all wanted for that evening we sat. We sat for a while longer and personally I was wondering if we were to be seated and then asked for our orders or to go to the bar and order there. A few more moments passed and my wonderful wife took the initiative and asked me to go to the bar and find out the answer. Indeed it did seem to be the case that you order your food with the young lady at the bar. It does seem odd to me that no-one mentioned this to me or any of our party upon arrival.
We ordered just two starters, pate and garlic bread. Nice and simple, easy to do, just what we wanted. Then for our main courses we decided upon a steak (medium rare), and two of their sizzler's (minds going back to the early 90's).
Then we sat again, comfortable, enjoying each others company but after 45 minutes the finger tapping became prevalent. Shall we walk out? What's happening? Give them a chance? ( all of this with only 6 people in the restaurant). Discussion continued as a couple entered the bar who were told they may have to wait 15 minutes for food ( I remember thinking that it might be more like an hour) but at no point did anyone to come to us and explain that there may be a delay for whatever reason. Had they I probably would not be writing this now.
Eventually, after an hour of waiting we were sat at our table and our starters we presented to us and you know what? They were absolutely fine. The pate was of decent quality and the onion marmalade was nice. The garlic bread was also very good and a cut above so many you find.
We then sat for a while longer whilst the lady behind the bar walked through the restaurant, got in her car and drove off. 35 minutes later the chef appeared. He took our starter plates and apologised for the delays explaining that he had been let down by some staff. This is good, this stops us thinking about shoddiness and explains that there is a problem but everything will be fine in the end. Why did this not happen right at the beginning?
Our main courses arrived and the steak (Medium Rare) was superbly cooked, my sizzler (beef in black bean sauce) was exactly how I remembered it in the nineties and again was pleased. The beef sizzler in Thai sweet chilli though was a little bland and needed more of the sticky, sweet chilli sauce. Overall though the food was not bad, it just didn't set us alight, probably due to the lack of information from staff and waits that had tainted our judgement.
The lady behind the bar then appeared (having nipped to get some supplies I guess) and said that they were very sorry for the delay and that any deserts would be free of charge. Nice thought but just too late, we had to move and pick up our son. We asked if we could have the two glasses of whit wine removed from the bill instead of having free deserts and accommodatingly the answer was yes.
So once again to all those restaurants we have frequented in the past I and we whole heartedly and unreservedly apologise. You may not have delivered the best food and your toilets may have been in need of service but your service was exemplary. You met us with a smile, quickly explained and apologised if there was a problem and above all you let us know what to do and what was happening.
To the Lodge all I can say is that front of house is uber important and today taught me this. Nothing particularly wrong with your food, the premises, or indeed the chefs comments. It should have just happened sooner.
Please, please, please take this as constructive criticism and I will return. The next time I am sure that it will be better. I will you to do well.
23 Jul 2011 00:06