Sponsored by
Oldfields
18 Claypath, Durham City
"REAL British menu" shouts out Oldfields in big bold type.
There can be no doubt that local produce – and a twist on traditional grub – is what this Durham City restaurant passionately believes in.
Despite that, Oldfields' ground-floor dining area has a roomy "continental" feel about it.
However, the menu oozes home-grown grub.
Starters included Cullen skink, Bob Stainbridge's wild boar pie, and Carlingford oysters.
I went for the Waldorf salad, mainly because I had not had it before, but also as I remember it from Fawlty Towers.
With fruit and walnuts it was sweet and crunchy, and topped with creamy Cornish Yarg cheese – another thing I'd not tried before.
My partner opted for field mushroom, tomato, spinach and Durham Cow blue cheese - which she loved, but would have preferred more mushroom.
Mains on offer included rabbit and crayfish stargazy pie, mutton hotpot, roast ling, and pearl barley risotto.
My other half had grilled sirloin steak, happy in the knowledge it was from an animal naturally grazed and reared in County Durham.
The lean and juicy steak, done to a T, got the thumbs up.
It came with chips, mushrooms and watercress. Pepper sauce was 1.50 extra.
I chose smoked haddock pan haggerty and greens, which was tasty and filling, without being stodgy.
As one of us was driving – thankfully it wasn't me – I ignored the wine list and opted for Wylam Brewery Gold Tankard.
At 3.30 a pint it's not cheap – but went down a treat. Just to make sure I had another (couple).
We sat by the huge front window on to Claypath. Some people might feel they are in a fish bowl, but it does let you watch the madness of a Saturday night float by.
My missus had sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce, so good she couldn't find words adequate to describe it.
I had white chocolate and Bailey's sundae, which was equally outstanding.
The bill was 84.60, which included three beers, two diet Cokes and a cup of tea, and a discretionary 12.5 per cent service charge.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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