The Joiners Arms - Piatti

Smokehouse Railway Street

➤ 1 Railway Street, DL14 7LR, County Durham, United Kingdom

Piatti • Tea • Western • Burgers • Barbecue

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"I had my first taste of eating today. faster and courtier service, it was obvious that eating was prepared before spot and very fresh. I ordered the pulled swarm, the brisketburger and the hawn with a wedge. sharing this with the family, there was a lot to go and there were 4 satisfied people. pulled pork tender and damp, brisket burger boiled exactly right, cheeky, and that huh had an amazing taste, I have commented how the chicken skin doesn't look sharp enough, but as I ate it, I had to change my mind, beautiful and crisp with a lot of taste. keep the good work, can not wait to see what is next."

The Pollards

➤ 104 Etherley Lane, DL14 0BF, County Durham, United Kingdom

Piatti • Fish • Meat • Steak • Cocktail

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"Table booked for 1.15, arrived at 1 to be advised not ready, asked again at 1.20, informed previous diners hadn’t vacated assigned table (restricted where we could eat due to having a dog with us, hence booking). Sorted in another few minutes. Once seated order taken swiftly food arrived even quicker, we all opted for the small pork thank goodness we did, it was more than ample with 2 Yorkshire puddings an insane amount of vegetables consisting of swede, carrots, cabbage, mashed potato mushy peas with choppy salad mint sauce (divine) loads of gravy, really hot, very tasty no room for dessert which was just as well as they’d sold out of most items on the menu, great food at an excellent price, really pleased with it as I write this review 7 hours later, can’t face the prospect of anything else to eat!"

Red Alligator

➤ Auckland Road, DL14 6SP, County Durham, United Kingdom

Piatti • Pub • Steak • Vegan • British

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"First time visiting The Red Alligator after a few recommendations and I definitely wasn’t disappointed! Sunday carvery was exceptional (and very affordable) The meat was cooked perfectly and there was a fabulous selection of veg. It wasn’t really busy when we arrived and we were served by two lovely, polite and very helpful young members of staff quite quickly. After stuffing ourselves silly, we sat for a while letting our food digest, before ordering the best cornflake tart and custard Iv had since I was at school!! Would definitely recommend this lovely pub if you are in the mood for an excellent Sunday lunch."

Spice Island

➤ 100 Main Street, County Durham, United Kingdom, DL4 1AQ

Piatti • Balti • Asian • Indian • Vegetarian

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"I went here a few years ago and gave the restaurant four stars. Having returned, recently, I am dropping my review to two stars. When I called to make a reservation, the gentleman answering the phone straight up asked me if I was actually going to turn up. This immediately put me off. I understand that some places have problems with customers booking and then failing to show up, but there are probably politer ways to speak to people making a booking. When we got there, the gentleman who greeted us seemed to be the same man as answered the phone. He was very friendly and polite, and everything seemed fine. I remembered that the last time I visited, the Vindaloo wasn't particularly hot, so this time I tried ordering the Phal, which should have been considerably spicier. I have had Phals in other restaurants and they are normally at just about the upper limit of my tolerance/enjoyment. Sadly, Spice Island's Phall wasn't noticeably hotter than their rather timid Vindaloo. My sons both had tasty curries (deliberately mild, as they don't like very spicy food), and I couldn't argue with the portion sizes, price or flavour. When I mentioned the lack of heat in the Phal to the manager (the only person working front-of-house), he replied that he had given me something relatively mild because he wasn't sure if I could really handle spicy food. This on its own limits the place to two stars. There is a distinct lack of trust from the management towards customers. Two days later, we ordered curries for delivery. Mostly the same items, but with one of our Vindaloos switched to a second Phal. Again, the Phals just weren't particularly spicy, despite our insistence, on the phone, that yes, we really did want spicy food. I have no idea if Spice Island is actually capable of serving really spicy food, as I have never had any from there. I can say that their food is flavourful and generously portioned for the price. The restaurant is cleaner than the last time we visited, with no lingering smell of cigarette smoke in the toilets anymore. The management, however, is off-putting and I am not sure if I would bother trying for spicy dishes for a fourth time."

Chang Thai

➤ 7 Market Place, DL14 7NJ, County Durham, United Kingdom

Piatti • Thai • Asian • Vegan • Vegetarian

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"I struggle to come up with an original review of Chang Thai restaurant in our home town of Bishop Auckland, but here goes. Outside of koh samui, pataya, Koh lak, Hua Hin.. For authentic Thai food, there are very, very few places... In England that...can produce original Thai food, not fancified. Not messed about with to satisfy a new wave of diners or try to fuse, western and Eastern.? If you want a piece of Thailand in a cold and rainy part of the North East of England.... Just book a table here. I cannot praise this establishment enough. DO NOT CHANGE.... for anyone!!! Well done."