Cured salmon with dill and spices, served with mustard sauce and rye bread.
Wine • Bars • French • British
"Thank you Lutyens for another excellent lunch. My sister who joined me as my guest had a broken foot and the manager and staff were most accommodating in finding a box to stand it on so it was raised. The Dover sole is always very good but as a beer drinker could they stock Birra Moretti as well as Peroni as the former is much nicer and it's what the Italians drink!"
Wine • French • Drinks • Scandinavian
Grill • Seafood • British • European
"Me and my partner recently visited the salt room. Service was great, was made to feel welcome. At first we were seated in the middle of the restaurant (we were 20 mins early), as we had asked for a romantic seat when we booked our reservation, within 5 minutes we had moved by a seat overlooking the sea that was perfect. In regards to the waiter, he was very accommodating and was able to answer my numerous questions regarding the menu, he had a sense of humour which is rare to find in most waiters/waitresses. Regarding the food... Well well all of the above could of been terrible and I would of still given 5 stars because the food was beautiful. I had the octopus starter which was in a lovely sauce that had numerous layers of flavour 5/5 My partner had the tomato soup, which although I personally didnt enjoy, my partner loved. 3/5 For mains my partner had the sirloin which lived up to its pricing and was perfectly cooked for her. 5/5 My main was the lobster which came with fresh crab claws, the lobster was precut with a thick sauce which also had many layers to it. 5/5 All in all we really enjoyed ourselves and will 100% be returning in the future. Hope this helps you decide whether to go here or not."
Soup • Steak • French • Coffee
"This bistrot should be officially declared French territory. We tried two different starters, the smoked duck salad and the speck salad, both of which were spectacular. Our mains, that followed managed to live up to the starters. The steak was cooked to perfection while the venison loin was a firework of a complex combination of flavours. Finally, the raspberry crème brûlée was the perfect ending to our lovely meal. A twist to a classic that I never knew I needed in my life."
Fish • Soup • French • Cheese
"We have eaten here many times but last night the food was definitely not up to its usual standard. My husband had duck, potatoes and green beans but there were no potatoes. The ice cream that came with the dessert had a bug piece of ice in it. We both don’t feel well after the meal. Starter was excellent and the ambience really lovely. Service wasn’t great, I asked fir some ice and lemon 3 times before it came and they forgot my husbands expresó that he ordered"
Soup • Fish • Meat • French
"Probably the most satisfying meal I've ever eaten anywhere, and I enjoy eating out. The quality was top-notch, as was the service! I'm probably classed as a slightly picky eater now, only a few things I can't stand, and willing to try things I swore I would never eat previously (hence the snail and the rabbit). A very nice main, nothing to compare it to, but it didn't feel or taste overdone and the potatoes, mushrooms and mustard sauce were a very nice accompaniment. Especially the potatoes. The duck was a bit tough on the outside, but the inside looked good (I only tried a bit of the outside as it wasn't mine) and the chips were nice. I didn't get the waiter's name so I'll ask, if he's there, when I go back. The menu made everything sound good, which is rare. I don't eat meat when out unless the welfare standards and quality are assured, which they are here, so I have free reign! I want to try everything at least once, but the baked Alaska made me gush to everyone I speak to about it and want to drag them right there specifically for it, although I also want all of the other food... Choices, choices."
French • European • Vegetarian • Gluten Free
"Brasserie Joel is situated in a hotel and quite a few of the diners were residents. It thus felt somewhat impersonal. The menu was standard brasserie fare, with nothing exciting or original, but plenty of tried-and-trusted favourites to choose from. Our waitress was on her first day (which she did apologise for) but spoke virtually no English and didn’t have a clue about the menu, so we could only order by pointing at the menu. When she brought someone to help (a manager I think), he still failed to inform me that the main ingredient of a dish I asked about was cheese (describing it as a Gazpacho). Ultimately the food was well cooked and decently presented, with a tarte tatin being particularly delicious. Next to the restaurant there is a nice bar, which was perfect for a digestif. However, the price, at £90/head (including a £65 bottle of fairly ordinary Pouilly Fume) seemed very steep for a brasserie and there are similar restaurants in the area at a far lower price point."
Beer • Wine • French • Provencal
"The restaurant was quite full at 7:30pm with large parties and noisy children. In fairness it was Valentine's Day. Whilst it is always nice to see families with children dining together the somewhat intimate ambience the brasserie seems to target does not seem best suited to young diners. Possibly the problem is that hotel does not offer a more suitable restaurant option for those with youngsters. The bar area serves food but is rather large and not exactly cosy. The food was OK. The onion soup was extremely tasty but the cheese in it was surprisingly over generous making it a struggle to eat. The wine list is as you would expect in a London hotel, was quite expensive but with some excellent options. I made the mistake of asking for a brief pause between starters and main which as it always inevitably does, turned into an unacceptably long delay."
Pubs • Cafés • Venues • European
"Didn’t realised it was Sunday roast day. But it’s fine. We like roasts. Starter was ok, my husband had prawn cocktails and I had mushroom. Main my husband had pork and I had roast chicken instead of beef. They listen to what I want it and delivered. Parsnip was super nice, but Yorkshire was almost burnt. We had profiteroles for dessert, it was tasteless tho, she said with Bailey chocolate sauce but I can’t taste the Bailey. Service was brilliant and the waitress also happy and chatty."
Beer • Wine • Hotels • British
"A small restaurant decorated in one of the best hotels in the United Kingdom where I stayed. Being late didn't want a full meal and selected two interns. I like dim lighting in restaurants, but there's a difference between the sub and spying on the dungeon I had to hold the menu very close to the candle at my table to see it correctly. 1 Arrangement of pine cured salmon, oysters, whiskey and granite apple. The salmon was very salty and the very small portion. I loved the granite. 2 Arrange pork cheek, onion, gryere cheese and pumpernickel. I expected succulent, tender, tender meat and was tendish and curiously dry with a small goo dab not immediately recognized as gruyere. What made things worse was that it had broken too much pumpernickel envelops you. It looked like some Potting Shed and it was dry. I had to leave a lot. I went for breakfast the next day with fear, just to be pleasantly surprised by a full English breakfast just prepared perfectly, with the best fried shampoo I've had in years. I also saw what looked like an excellent Benedict eggs (very appreciated by the recipient) that serve you. So probably good English cuisine is something to order here and leave the most pretentious dishes alone. As in the rest of the hotel, the staff was very nice and professional"
Steak • English • British • Seafood
"We were warmly greeted and shown to a table, I did not notice until we had sat down that we were right next to the till and food laydown area. So I was often treated to a derriere being waved in my face or the...bang and clang of the knife and fork draw. We were not offered an opportunity to have a drink at the bar or another table away from the derriere show. My wife was with me and fuss is not on her menu, so I put up with it and did not ask to be moved (there were others available). So after the moan, service very good, food good, with the Octopus starter on another level, but the lamb shoulder was at best ok. My wifes meal of Salmon starter and Trout was very good I was told . So my advice don't be greedy, loose that table and tighten up the food offer a little. Would I go again yes, but never that table again, fuss or no fuss."
Sushi • Mexican • Seafood • European
"I was booked in by hotel reception (hotel reviewed separately). I arrived for my table in the restaurant at and surprised it wasn't busier on a Friday evening. I was seated by a new lad in training he was very young. Smiling and very...pleasant. I started with a mini bottle of prosecco. I had the squid and prawn starter, there was another fish, can't remember what it's called but you can see it in the picture, I'd never tried it before but it was fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Mains was lamb cutlets with mustard mash and kale. Again delicious. Dessert black forest slice. Mmm. I wish I had taken a picture of it all. It was thoroughly enjoyed. The service was attentive and fast by all the staff. A great restaurant if you're in the area."
Kebab • Asiatic • Mexican • European
"I honestly don’t think we have ever had such nice food in our life’s!! We stayed over in the accommodation Saturday until Sunday we were very lucky to get a table for on the Saturday night and you do normally have to book that’s how good the place is. Also it shows how Lauren and her team will do anything to help and accommodate you! We had prawn cocktail to start my husband had a mushroom and cheese sauce both amazing then we had ribeye steak both cooked amazing… Sunday we loved the steak that much we had it again amazing.. this place is so so special, Lauren, Rachel, Lois.. and the team thank you so very much for accommodating us and looking after us through out…. Sorry if I was abit annoying I don’t get out much especially with the kids… I drink gin like it’s going out of fashion .. thank you all so much Money well spent! It was worth every penny…. Everyone needs a Durham ox in there life’s!!! And everyone needs people like you lot! Always happy.. always talk to people regardless of the time of day or night.. so kind lovely people!! And you will help anyone who asks… people like you are never forgotten! The whole experience was just incredible.. my mum always used to say you get what you pay for… and you certainly do at the Durham ox the food and service is outstanding Cannot wait to come again and thank you all merry Christmas!!!! Love Kelly and Chris!"
Juice • Drinks • British • Breakfast
"The service was terrible. The staff left us waiting while they chatted among themselves. Even though we arrived on time, we were asked to wait while other guests were served their starters. At breakfast, there were no glasses for the juices or plates for the food, so we had to ask for them. Additionally, the menu on display had items that were no longer available."
French • Hotels • Bar-lounge • Contemporary
"We used this venue a couole of weeks ago for a birthday dinner in the private dining room. The food was fantastic until we realised that the allergens had not been disclosed correctly and my aunt who is gluten intolerant was given the wrong meal. The wait staff were totally apologetic and luckily my aunt had not eaten too much of the meal however what was more concerning was when I was speaking to the manager I was rudely interpreted by a gentleman asking me “what my problem was”. The manager looked extremely nervous and explained this man was actually the owner of the venue. I explained the situation to him to which he replied with a raised voice “it’s sorted now isn’t it, why are you out here moaning and making me look stupid”. I was that taken aback that I just left and went back to the dining room and carried on as to not ruin my grandmother’s birthday however I felt it important to let people know as I will not be returning and will be encouraging friends and family not to dine there due to the possibility of ever having to encounter such bad behaviour whilst being paying customers."
Pubs • Wine • British • Bar-lounge
"Family meal for 3 Adults and two teenagers on a busy Friday night. Had not visited the Ox for about two years. Considerable amount of development since then. Menu catered well for two 'picky teenagers ' and three more adventurous adults, all agreed that it was the best meal out they had had for a long while. Prices are not cheap but the standard and menu choice was well up to the prices charged."
Pubs • Beer • Steak • British
"Myself and my partner had a Sunday roast each here yesterday. We both had pork belly starter which was absolutely gorgeous and cannot be faulted. I had the roast beef lunch whilst my partner had the lamb. Both our dinners were nice but the roast potatoes felt like they’d been re-heated after being left standing for a while. I had a couple of Peroni’s and neither of us had desert but the bill still came to £97. The starters were £11 each and as I say, we couldn’t fault them but £25 for a roast dinner seems and was steep for the size of meal we received. They were tasty but I don’t think they were £25 tasty. The place itself is a nice setting and the atmosphere was decent, though."
Wine • Beer • Grill • Casual
"I visited this restaurant over two weeks ago, but the cocktails were so strong that it took me this long to recover!! That's probably the worst excuse ever, right?"
Tea • Vegan • British • Vegetarian
"We have always eaten at the Ship Inn on our way back from South Wales, because it was a lovely, typically 'rustic ' English ' pub. The former owner Mike and his Manager and Chef, Jane, new their profession and just what their customers wanted simple, very tasty English cuisine and comfort food. It has been three years since we have been and during that time it has changed hands. Oh dear, that 's where our once good experience ended. It is now described as a 'boutique ' pub ? It has been re decorated and re furnished, obviously on a restricted budget and the menu has changed. We have to say that the refurbishment, in our humble opinion, has failed dreadfully. It is cheap and tacky and we were shocked that the beautiful old English wooden beams have been painted in a mushroom coloured emulsion type paint and the new seating is a purple crushed velvet type material with a ring on the back ?? Was this to fasten your dog to? It looks really cheap and tacky. What a pity. There were four of us, one didn 't eat, two had the homemade beefburger and I had the fillet steak with peppercorn sauce. What a pity the ambience of the place didn 't match the food. My steak was perfectly cooked and tasted really delicious. The burgers were definitely home made but the 'consumers ' didn 't like the taste of a herb/ingredient in them. Personally I thought it was very nice, apart from the fact that it was served on a slate !! What is it with restaurants these days? Slates, bowls, wooden blocks ??? Why cant we just eat off a plate ?? Sadly non of the old comfort food dishes like Jane prepared (lamb shanks, steak and kidney pudding, liver and bacon etc.. but never the less, what we ate this week was quite good. However because the ambience and character of the place has been totally ruined, we will sadly not be returning. Needless to say there was not another soul in the place from start to finish. To put the final nail in the coffin for us, they no longer sell Hobson 's beers !!! Sacrilege!"
Tea • British • Scottish • Vegetarian
"As two mummies of young boys (her of two, me of one), Emily and I couldn’t have chosen a better day to plan our overnight escape to Melville Castle, which is located on the Southern tip of Edinburgh towards Dalkeith. The sun was virtually splitting the trees as we drove up the private approach road, and as it happens, trees are something the lush grounds are pretty flush with, the bucolic setting a mere 8 miles from the city centre. A neo-gothic mansion house, it was designed by James Playfair (brother of William) and built between 1786-90 for Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville. By the 1980s the building had been abandoned and was in ruin, later bought and restored in the 1990s by developer William Hay who wanted to bring the property back to life and run it as a hotel venue."