User reviews from sugarvine.com
User reviews from the best of .co.uk durham
User reviews from sugarvine.comI can't believe it, not only do they have the best food and best service in Durham, but now they even have special nights set up... I was disappointed that I couldn't make it to the jazz night on Monday, or even the wine and food chemistry evening on Tuesday, believe me, even if I have to sell the kids rather than find a babysitter I'll be at the next one... just when you think that they can't improve on perfection what do they go and do?... CHRISTMAS!!! I saw the new Christmas menu in the menu folder, brilliant, perfect timing too as I’m getting the staff do's sorted asap and how could you possibly thank your staff more than by booking them into THE place to be? This place just gets better and better, what ever next?
J Taylor - 05/09/2007
I advise everyone to do what we did, eat in mass. There were 4 of us so we ordered 4 different starters, mains and desserts, and we quartered each, so we got the best of all dishes and boy did we have a good time, I especially liked the way that they catered for veggies, they changed dishes or cooked them to your specifications with only a few minutes notice, now that really is the mark of a true professional. The guys doing the service were obviously the best in the business and whoever put the wine list together knew what they were doing too. All in all this was one of the best nights out we have ever had and I am sure that my other friends will leave reviews too as we were so impressed. thank you again.
Pauly J - 21/06/2007
Words fail me, seriously, you guys should have a fan club, I know that this is a trite and hackneyed phrase but tonight was really an experience, everything, the food, the service, the view, the lighting and the warm welcome all made it so special that we couldn't be anything else but impressed. I wish that you had opened 20 years ago, because by now I would have paid for your next venue, which I know you will definitely have, and I expect many more to come, there will soon be quite a waiting list for this little jewel in Durham's crown.
TWme - 21/06/2007
A group of 6 of us booked in 9/5/07, a truly amazing place anyone should try, we had a fantastic dining experience, the food was top notch, artistically presented and the best we’ve ever had. The Chef came out and chatted to us which was unusual but made it special. The service was fabulous. A huge selection of wines and champagnes which have been carefully chosen to compliment the food as well as cocktails and smoothies. I really think this restaurant hits the spot and we shall definitely book again.
Hillary - 16/05/2007
How lucky am I? I got a table when I rang on the off chance and even though I arrived late and totally under dresses for the occasion I was treated like Royalty. If the people from Gourmet Spot are reading this thank you so much for opening my eyes and my mind to the beauty of food, and Kevin, thank you for making me feel like a million dollars. I will most definitely be back .
Mich1 - 17/05/2007
I have never ever left a review for any restaurant, I have never ever felt the need to do so, however I just can't keep this one to myself. Whatever your budget and whatever your taste you will not be disappointed, the first time we went it cost £40 a head, the second £20 the difference? I was driving so didn't have the wine, apart from that we had the same perfect service and food to die for, the presentation alone was worth a Michelin star well done to everyone concerned, and well done to Durham, one more thing for you to be proud of.10/10
Maggie B - 17/05/2007
700 miles from home and I feel as though I have known these people all of my life, Kevin, Zara, Shaun. you should all be so proud, the rest of the country could learn a heck of a lot from you guys, I have never seen this level of professionalism anywhere in the world, you made the drive worth every minute and every mile. I hope to god I get back to the north east in the very near future. Listen up people, you need to eat here to appreciate good taste in every sense of the phrase.
Ste - 17/05/2007
Well can I start by saying that I am a chef, well at least I thought that I was a chef until last night, now I think that maybe I am a good cook, but I now know a great chef. Sara and Kevin made the service look far too easy even though I know that it's far from easy, you know what they say about swans? they look serene as they swim by but underneath the water, out of view they are paddling like heck to stay afloat? Well I saw that degree of perfection as I ate my, well, I can only describe it as a work of art, I have never felt so proud to have been amongst the first to eat somewhere, and I will make this place a regular haunt, I owe it to myself. Well done everyone especially you Sean, oh, and I read the reviews about the Gourmet Spot and one guy never gets a mention, so good on you for my perfect desert Dave, you were taught by a master and it shows.
Mark - 19/05/2007
Wow!!! A simply amazing place which ticks all the right boxes with me. Cost, food, service and ambience of the place just awesome. I will definitely be recommending this place to all my family and friends. Congratulations on such a brilliant place with excellent standards.
Dave - 19/05/2007
About time we had something like this in Durham. I've never been in a restaurant that shows such enthusiasm about their food. The chef came out between every course for feedback, although appreciate when (not if) it's fully booked we may not get this luxury! I really can't find fault. As for the article in the Durham Times, the reviewer completely missed the point, don't let that put you off trying this culinary adventure. If you love experimenting with food you will love Gourmet Spot!
Jo - 21/05/2007
My husband is in his eighties and in very poor health, although he still has all of his wits about him and a fine appreciation of all things good. What a tonic Tuesday night was, his eyes lit up with every course and his taste buds came alive as he made his way through all 3 courses and 2 tasters which the restaurant gave us. As we made our way back to our hotel room, he turned to me and said "Mags, that was one of my best nights ever." he's 82 so he's had a few good nights in his time, thank you all for this night which I am sure that I will remember fondly for many years to come.
Margaret Jenkins - 23/05/2007
This was my third visit to the spot in the six weeks that it has been open. As usual the food was brilliantly presented and a sensation for the taste buds, the service was good and I can't find much to complain about at all, I am looking forward to my 4th visit in the very near future. Oh just one more point, I strongly recommend the venison, it melts in your mouth and leaves you wanting more, which of course I will be getting on my next visit.
J.A.1973 - 15/06/2007
User reviews from the best of .co.uk durham
My husband and I enjoyed the surrealism menu to celebrate his birthday on 31st August, it was fantastic. The food looked amazing and tasted even better than it looked. All the staff were friendly and welcoming. Sean is truly talented and we wish him and the team every success. We will be back very soon.
Karen L - 13/9/07
We went back to gourmet spot last night to try out the normality menu and let me tell you, we were not disappointed, we had all 3 courses and the 2 free bouchés, one of which was a hollow round sphere of ice cream made inside a balloon using liquid nitrogen!!! I was very very impressed by the whole experience, the courses themselves were fantastic, I started with the king prawns which were cooked to perfection, then I had the cod, described as a chunk of cod, that was exactly what I got, the cheese board was the best I’ve ever had add all of this to the perfect service and friendly staff and you have a recipe for the best night out in ages
Kevin P - 13/9/07
This restaurant is exceptional! The food is inspirational and the staff are a pleasure.. not the usual fawning around you. They provide expert knowledge on what they do best and at the gourmet spot its fine dining! Thank you I will be back.
Angie M - 10/9/07 User reviews from Toptable
The Gourmet Spot was the best meal I have ever eaten, the tastes, textures and presentation was absolutely fantastic. The service was excellent, knowledgeable, friendly and helpful staff, Sue and Kevin made the whole experience very special. Can't wait for the next excuse to go back.
K.S - 17/10/07
The gourmet spot was a gourmet experience. The only disappointment was that the surreal menu is not served Fridays or Saturdays
S.A - 05/10/07
The Gourmet Spot was fantastic. The bouche of chocolate and beetroot foam was interesting and delectable. No dish was as expected, but in a very good way and the chef was able to do almost every dish dairy free. The best restaurant in the North.
J.C - 18/09/07
The gourmet spot is a delightful restaurant tucked away in a leafy residential area. The restaurant is small but I think it only adds charm to the place. The food is well presented, using quality ingredients and overall very tasty. Only a few items not to my taste but since they were complementary we can't complain. The service is excellent with friendly staff. I will definitely be going back
R.S - 10/09/07
The food at the 'Gourmet Spot' really hit the spot! Innovative, very tasty, and hot (in the warm sense). Ambience is a little stark, but again original. We hope they do well.
L.S - 31/08/07
Well we have been again this place is fab! My little sisters birthday went down a storm just like the wine and champers. See you soon!
Anon - 08/08/07
This place deserves at least 3 Michelin stars. The food was spectacular. We'd heard good reviews so thought we'd give it a try. The palate cleansers and bouches are a nice touch. Presentation of food is unbelievable and the service was excellent. Price was very reasonable, we spent about £80 for three courses (5 with the bouches) and a very tasty bottle of red. The chef mentioned that the Michelin guys were round recently so wouldn't surprise me if they increase the prices by next year.
R.N - 10/07/07 Hitting the spot?
By Mike Amos of The Northern Echo
Ambitious and innovative, the Gourmet Spot in Durham promises diners 'huge amounts of fun'.
THE word "spat" is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as a tiff, dispute or quarrel. That it can be anything else from oyster spawn to a gaiter - short for spatterdash, not many people know that - need not presently concern us.
A diverting, indeed unique, little spat is presently taking place between Gourmet Spot, a new restaurant in Durham and the Durham Times - owned by this company - which is a couple of weeks younger. A Gourmet spat, as it were.
The restaurant, almost in Nevilles Cross, is both ambitious and upfront. Sean Wilkinson, its chef - formerly at Attitude, in his native Middlesbrough - is a non-conformist in a cathedral city. The publicity speaks of discovering new sensations, of imagination, innovation and "huge amounts of fun".
Malcolm Warne, editor both of the Durham Times and of its more venerable sister the Darlington & Stockton Times, wrote a natal review which was altogether more lukewarm. The owners weren't amused at all.
Malcolm questioned value for money, talked of a "certain pretentiousness" and of food that was "contrived and experimented for the sake of being different".
advertisement What happened next was that the sugarvine.com website - self-proclaimed as "the essential UK restaurant guide" - carried a great flurry of pro-Gourmet messages, one of them describing the restaurant as "hotter than Angelina Jolie sitting on a chilli".
Malcolm was termed a "would-be journalist" and "so-called reviewer" and, he says, one or two things rather ruder.
What happened after that was that, 11 days ago, Gourmet Spot took out a large ad in the Durham Times, reproducing the website contents and headed "Real reviews by real people".
If the inference were that the editor was simply a cardboard cut-out, it is a view with which the splendid Mrs Warne is unlikely to agree.
Whatever the advertisement cost them, it certainly wouldn't have been cheap. It was journalism's first known example of feeding the hand that bites you and it seemed time for the big boys - avoirdupois only - to go in.
As a referee, we hoped for rather more luck than the unfortunate gentleman in Spennymoor the previous evening who had been whacked by Mr Hurricane Higgins.
It didn't begin auspiciously. There was no cask-conditioned ale, not even in bottles, and there really should have been. The first bouchee - little appetisers - was a spoonful of carrot and ginger ravioli which, we learned later, had taken chef an hour to prepare.
No beating about the bouchee, he'd have been better employed taking the dog for a walk.
The welcome had been friendly without being effusive, the staff were knowledgeable and efficient, though the lad would insist on using "what" when he meant "which". The spelling was a bit iffy, too. Whoever wrote "rolly-polly" on the menu must have been taught parrot fashion.
It was headed "Normality menu". There was also going to be a "Surrealism" menu - Mr Wilkinson believes in pushing back boundaries - but the surreal thing has yet to materialise.
The Boss began with hand-dived sea scallops with a liquorice dressing and cauliflower puree - vivid flavours, interesting textures, shotgun combinations. I had excellent tempura king prawns with a perky little pink ginger and fennel salad.
After the first course - and after the puddings - the black-clad chef appeared to inquire how things had been and to explain his methods, sinking first onto his hunkers and then to his knees, as if in supplication.
From one angle he resembled the latterly lovelorn Kirk in Coronation Street, from another a young Yul Brynner, wondering what on earth to make of Deborah Kerr.
The decor is minimalist modern, the tables black granite. There are just 22 covers. The Boss said that she'd wanted black granite for our new kitchen but, since it was £3,000 extra, had settled for chipboard, as usual.
The candle holders on the tables were made of ice, slowly melting, like yesterday's snowman. A group of academics across the room jocularly supposed it to be a metaphor for global warming, but what's a metaphor for?
She followed with salmon steak, Bombay potato and a seafood samosa - the only fish dish among eight main courses. Just one vegetarian option, too. Perhaps it helps keep things fresh, because this one certainly was - cleverly presented, too.
Coloured like an Andy Warhol painting, I had a succulent venison loin with a gateau of celeriac and sweet potato, a hot beetroot jelly like an upside down egg cup, red wine and "chocolate cloud". Had it been a lemon cloud, it might have been a citrus cirrus.
The beetroot jelly was particularly interesting because it seemed to encapsulate the theory that if you choose to work in a culinary adventure playground then sometimes you're going to fall and do yourself a damage. Chef was hurt, genuinely hurt, by the carefully considered Durham Times report.
The jelly seemed to me an absurd waste of a perfectly good beetroot, that most underrated of vegetables. It seemed to The Boss delicious.
The "chocolate cloud" was a glass full of whipped chocolate, spiked with something savoury and with a straw in the top like a periscope in a Desperate Dan strip. As an accompaniment it almost worked, as an exercise in iconoclasm we were quickly warming to the lad's theme.
The crescendo was the puddings: popcorn creme brulee with peanut butter ice cream and vanilla tuile, for example, or chilled rhubarb and custard souffle with rhubarb crisps or banana and papaya spring rolls, with green tea and wasabi ice cream and a carpaccio of pineapple.
The creme brulee arrived on an 18-inch, fish-shaped dish, with a little flute of delicious popcorn in rice paper, some aforesaid ice cream and various twists of this and that.
It was brilliantly done, the first time in history that a pudding has made me laugh and not because it was risible, but because it was great. When they talk "huge amounts of fun", they mean popcorn brulee. The Boss loved the spring rolls, too.
The bill came to £86 and thus had best be itemised: three courses for two, four small bottles of Tiger beer, one glass of wine - £6.50, and still to be sneezed at - and two coffees.
The little wallet containing the bill and further information also held a card for the sugarvine website. Sean denied, denied on his bairns' lives, that the ad had been a put-up job, though clearly the card offered a nod and a wink.
He talks instead of extending both his range and his restaurant, and is to be wished luck.
In a city where critics ever more greatly agree that the eating out scene is flat and formulaic, this place merits full marks for valour and high marks for achievement. They'd like us to talk of hitting the Spot; we may just have spotted a hit.
Gourmet Spot, The Avenue, Durham. Open Monday-Saturday evenings from 6pm. 0191-384-6655, www.gourmet-spot.co.uk
Recommended Hotel
Farnley Tower Hotel
Wouldn't it be fantastic if restaurants also had bedrooms?
Well, Gourmet Spot can do better than that. We take our attitude to relaxed dining to the ulimate degree by offering four star guesthouse accommodation just up the stairs.
Farnley Tower sits directly above Gourmet Spot and rooms can be booked directly from its own web site, or by telephone when you reserve your table.
www.farnley-tower.co.uk
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