Toronto Lodge Inn, Bishop Aukland - pub details
Address: Toronto, Bishop Aukland, County Durham, DL14 7RJ [map] [gmap]
Tel: 0871 951 1000 (ref 32507) - calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
Bishop Auckland (1.7 miles), Shildon (4.7 miles)
Are you the Licensee? Click here. ** SPECIAL Royal Summer Sizzler offer! **
> Current user rating: 4.0/10 (rated by 5 users)
other pubs nearby:
Joiners Arms, Hunwick (0.9 miles), Coach and Horses, Barnard Castle (1.1 miles), Bar Mondo, Bishop Auckland (1.3 miles), Quarry Burn, Hunwick (1.3 miles), Castle Bar Hotel, Bishop Auckland (1.3 miles) - see more nearby pubs
user reviews of Toronto Lodge Inn, Bishop Aukland
please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
5 most recent reviews of 6 shown - see all reviews
| Paid a visit recently during a weekday afternoon. Was fairly quiet as would be expected for the location and time of day. However I heard that Sonnet 43 own the pub and despite it being primarily for dining, they use it to showcase their selection of ales. On that basis, I thought it would be worth a visit - and I was right! I was greeted when I entered the pub and this was polite and pleasant (and expected for a dining establishment). At the bar there 6 hand pumps, 5 of which were dedicated to Sonnet 43's offerings, the other was a guest. I ordered a pint of "The Raven" stout (a Sonnet 43 ale) and was offered a choice of cask or keg, and the difference explained to me. But my mind was made up, it had to be cask. This was a lovely pint. The kind of pint you don't want to end. Served in a tall Sonnet 43 branded glass too, for good measure. A bargain for the £3.25 price tag. The interior is modern yet rustic, bare brick walls and copper pipes on show with red stop taps. I didn't stay for food, but the ale was exceptional, and the service was pleasant and friendly. RealAleRobUK - 21 Jun 2016 17:08 |
| 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. alister - 23 Jul 2011 00:06 |
| 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 alister - 30 Apr 2010 00:25 |
| We went for lunch on a Friday and also an evening meal on the Saturday at the Lodge. It was comfortable and the food was superb, congrat's to the chef. the waiting staff were smart and attentive and were kept busy. The only downside is that there doesn't appear to be many people frequenting the place for a general drink, considering Totonto is only a few minutes walk away it surprises me, but from what I hear perhaps some 'bridge mending' by the new management is needed as I believe the former manager did a lot of damage. What I do not know!! Try the pub, it's got really good food at reasonable prices and friendly staff, We would definitely go there again not just for a meal but for a drink also we met some good people on our visit and it would be nice to meet them again. hevvy - 15 Oct 2009 01:30 |
| All a bit too weird and strangely expensive - think there's different prices for locals (all seven of them) deportivo_azul - 25 Apr 2009 00:51 |
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