The Merlin, Billingham

Cleveland

➤ 458 Linthorpe Road, TS5 6HX, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom

Piatti • Pub • Lunch • Drinks • Karaoke

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"This pub is quite the experience. It offers a little bit of everything, literally. It may not be suitable for those easily intimidated. It may seem a bit rowdy for some, but I had a fantastic time chatting with the staff and other patrons. Definitely not a place to bring children in the evenings."

Caruso

➤ 5 Varo Terrace, Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom

Piatti • Wine • Cakes • Italian • Ice Cream

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"Caruso is like eating in an Italian's kitchen dining room with family cooking the food. I took my tween and teenager there for the second time for my husbands and my anniversary dinner, and it was very special. The fillet and king prawns dish is the highlight of the menu (to me) and worth every pound. The parmasan of whatever version you choose is very good. The best place to eat a local classic, enjoyed by young and old. Caruso has an extensive happy hour menu and a very generous two hour slot every day. It's an all-around family favourite to dine there. Unfortunately, there are no photos this time as I was in the flow of enjoyment to remember that I could review this delight if I wanted to."

Vine

➤ 53 Roman Road, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom

Piatti • Fish • Steak • Drinks • Burgers

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"UPDATE! We were eventually asked to come in for a complimentary meal now the new chef was up to speed. I am happy to say that things have significantly improved! I would now recommend. Worst food We have ever had. We took the mother-in-law for her 70th birthday at the end of last year. The place was freezing cold and the ceiling leaking. The food was shocking for the price we paid. We complained and were told that the head chef had left and that we would be invited back once things were “sorted”. We never received a call, not that we would go back."

Fellini's

➤ 325 Linthorpe Road, TS1 4NJ, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom

Piatti • Cafés • Seafood • Asiatic • Fast Food

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"Visited this weekend for a family celebration and had an unremarkable experience. Decor of establishment was rather nice. Admittedly, we were a large booking of 17 individuals and this can be challenging to manage and organise for such a small establishment. The mature gentleman was rather rude to our host whom asked for an additional chair for the party as we were one short despite finalising numbers as agreed earlier in the afternoon. This is no way an appropriate manner to treat guests and clearly set a bad example for his staff as well as the wrong tone for the evening ahead. Guests were not even properly seated before being hounded for their drinks order despite not being given a drinks menu. Upon asking about cocktails to the waitress whom was pleasant she was unable to give the full selection just the three she knew of the top of her head that were the standard run of the mill selection. To give full credit to her fo honest regarding the diaquiries before we ordered them in. The cocktails (passion fruit martini and cosmopolitan's) ordered were disappointing as they tasted watered down and lacked a bang. Don't understand why one of the passion fruit martinis was brought out in a drinks glass which was rather random. Drinks orders were taken on an ad hoc basis with the waiting staff not taking a full tables order walking away as people attempted to give their drinks order, unintentional maybe? We were rushed to give our starters/mains orders all of which came promptly and all guests received the correct order. The waiting staff shouted out food orders from the top of the table to identify who's order was who's. The pasta based dishes were pleasantly enjoyed yet the pizzas and parmesans proved to be somewhat vanilla. Not all guests had properly finished eating their meals before the gentlemen asked if he could remove plates before receiving an answer from the full table resulting in some guests to not finish their meals. We were not offered a deserts menu once they removed dishes from the table. We had second hand embarrassment for an additional family party whom were having a celebration meal at the restaurant. The party had started to get settled at the table putting out their balloons etc when the mature gent stormed over barking at them to move as he shoved table and chairs across the restaurant. This clearly made them feel uncomfortable as was noticed and commented by the service users of the restaurant. The waiting staff plonked the celebration cakes on the table one of which didn't even go to the correct individual. NO SPECIAL MEMORY OR MAGICAL MOMENT TO BE HAD FOR A 18TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. It would have been nice if they had asked before bringing it out as some of our party partially missed out on the occasion. The bill was given to the wrong individual instead of the host which allowed for everyone to see the bill when this was an private affair. To be perfectly honest we visited a few months earlier and had a disappointing experience but with better service. Linthorpe Road is bursting with alternative, superior, independent eateries that I would highly recommend instead."

La Porto Italiano

➤ 120 Queensway, TS23 2PA, Billingham, United Kingdom

Piatti • Pizza • Cafés • Pasta • Seafood

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"Ate at La Porto 4th May at 8:00 p.m. with two of our friends, we were really surprised when we arrived, to find that we were the only customers in the restaurant and that they had stayed open to accommodate us, at the earliest time that we could arrive due to other commitments. As usual the food and service was amazing and we didn't feel hurried in any way, given that we were the only customers. It seems such a shame that a restaurant which serves delicious food as La Porto is not supported by customers after the early evening specials finish. Hopefully the evening business will pickup for this very lovely restaurant and it's staff."