"Visited the Angel Hetton recently and have mixed feelings. We were aware the Angel had changed hands but didn 't fully appreciate the TOTAL change we were going to. Anybody who previously loved the Angel Inn must realise this has now gone both in ambience, decor, staff and food. The Angel Hetton is a totally different place, the decor is now wood, concrete, grey, sparse and I have to say a little cold. The Bar top is an absolute amazing piece of art work and the new wooden bench seating with funny built in seat pads is somewhat uncomfortable but functional. We had lunch through in the Restaurant which has not changed layout but again the colour pallet is now grey...... grey, grey, grey! The atmosphere even though it was busy was hushed and just lacking, maybe we came on an off day? The menu is small and very 'fine dining ' focused, the food was wonderful and all our party enjoyed each course, you will no longer find any 'Old Angel ' favourites like 'Money Bags ' or 'Sticky Toffee Pud ', the dishes now are small, perfectly formed, and there is the presence of foam which always amuses me when I dine at fine dining establishments. Staff are pleasant and efficient, the lady sommelier was very good and had a lovely bubbly disposition. Would I return? Yes but probably in the evening and with the knowledge that the Angel is now a modern, fine dine restaurant rather than the warm, comfortable good food Inn it used to be. Price wise there isn 't a great deal of difference but some of the party did go off the lunch set menu. We were away in an adult group, I would bring my children here but they are over 12 years old, I would not be overly comfortable bringing young children here as I have in the past though. The food is something special and will surely encourage a new breed of diners to the Angel, I will be interested to see its future development."
