Oldfields Restaurant

Oldfields Restaurant reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

1. J

   Jengo

   London1 review

   1.0

   Dined on January 15, 2016

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   It was closed and I think Open Table should have known rather than accepting the booking.
   

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2. S

   Speycaster

   London1 review

   1.0

   Dined on December 30, 2015

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   I have eaten twice recently at Oldfields in Durham but many times over the years and buy into their philosophy of locally sourced ingredients. I would also prefer to spend money on local independents rather than large chains. Sadly the last two occasions have been disappointing and a real departure from where Oldfields used to be in my opinion. The quality of cooking is simply lacking, as is consistency. Starter of lamb casserole was barely warm. Large tender meat was great but there was no care with the dish and it resembled dog food. "Crusty bread" was cold and soft. The last time I chose cod as a main which I remember being overcooked. Why ruin beautifully sourced ingredients by simple mistakes? My wife had deep fried squid for starter this time. The membrane was still attached making it difficult to eat, the coating was pappy/mushy and had no crispiness. Main course for me was shoulder of pork. This tender, juicy meat had been pulled from a joint that had clearly been slow cooked for a long time, however the rest of the dish was disappointing. Three large potatoes, red cabbage and a dark flavourless gravy reminded me of school dinners. (In a less than nostalgic way) My dessert of Eccles cake and ginger custard sounded interesting and quirky, The dish was overwhelmed with ginger flavour, there was hardly any fruit in the eccles cake (a key feature of an Eccles cake) and the pastry had no buttery taste at all. My wife's chocolate orange cake was deemed inedible after one mouthful. She described the texture as claggy like pate, lacked crunchy base and a any chocolate to orange balance of flavours. Wines were also disappointing (we had several wines by the glass) and didn't appear well matched to the dishes on offer. The overall menu doesn't grab me in a way that made me want to eat every dish. I felt underwhelmed by the experience especially as it cost over £80 which is not an issue if it's great tasting food on offer.
   

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3. EJ

   ElaineJP

   County Durham5 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on December 17, 2015

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Although there were two office parties in, we had great service, which was friendly and prompt. The food is well prepared and the fish cakes were great! We were even given a cracker to pull!
   

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4. A

   Anon

   London31 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on November 14, 2015

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   This was a repeat visit while we were staying in Durham for a weekend during the Lumiere art festival. As on previous occasions when we've eaten there, the food at Oldfields was excellent and the service and ambience very good. The traditional British foods which they serve include starters of pan haggarty with a poached egg and mustard sauce, Teesdale mutton curry served with fresh crusty bread or an excellent leek and potato soup. The main courses which we chose included chicken served with cider and baby onion sauce, a haddock pan haggarty, a baked squash with root vegetable casserole and pan fried cod served with baby jackets and samphire butter. There are excellent desserts, including traditional British puddings, especially the sticky toffee pudding, which is very popular. Locally sourced ingredients are used in many cases. All dishes are attractively presented. The staff are friendly and efficient, even when the restaurant is very busy, as it was during our visit over the weekend. There is a good wine list and the house wine is available by the glass. Our only regret is that Oldfields isn't near where we live so that we could eat there more regularly!
   

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5. HR

   HofR

   Newcastle8 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on November 14, 2015

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 2

   Dined on Saturday 14th November prior to attending Lumiere. Ordered the squid starter and tomato and basil soup. The squid was tasteless and lukewarm, lacking seasoning; the soup was like paste and also too cold; as the server took away the plates she made no mention of the fact we had hardly eaten any. The mains were fine, however; I had the cod and my partner the chicken which she enjoyed. I did mention about the starters when I paid, but the maitre'd only advised she would get the kitchen to be more aware and did not offer to refund so unfortunately we left feeling this was very poor value for money overall.
   

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6. MT

   MrsTiffany

   County Durham1 review

   3.0

   Dined on October 13, 2015

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   We had a business meeting and even though the food was nice... the service was SOOOOO slow. It took us over 2 and a half hours to have starters and mains for 5 people. We jokingly mentioned it to the staff that didn't seem to grasp what we were saying and they didn't change anything about their service style. Overall pleased with the food but wouldn't return on the basis of the poor service!
   

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7. N

   Northerner

   London3 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on October 9, 2015

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   We were made very welcome when we arrived and the staff were friendly and courteous. The main course was tasty enough, but despite being cooked from a very cheap cut of meat we still had to pay for two vegetables to accompany it. The dessert was ok but unremarkable. Two courses and a bottle of house wine for a pre theatre meal which cost about £50. Too much I think.
   

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8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Los Angeles1 review

   5.0

   Dined on October 3, 2015

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Excellent food, outstanding and friendly service. We look forward to going back again.
   

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9. F

   Fergalcatski

   Inverness2 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on September 30, 2015

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   We have been regular patrons of Oldfields in Jesmond and Dean Street, Newcastle. This was our first visit to Durham. Initial impression was that it was not as salubrious as the other places we have been - just a very ordinary cafe-type restaurant. We had a booking for 4.30pm but we were the only ones there at the time. We placed our order: catch-of-the-day & chips and a gluten-free burger without a bun & chips. We waited over half an hour before the meals were served. My fish was the smallest portion I have ever seen: with the batter removed it was barely 4 mouthfuls. The burger was served with a bun but that apart it was perfectly acceptable. The desserts ordered were sticky toffee pudding and chocolate mousse. Again there was nearly a 30 minute wait for these to be served. The sticky toffee pudding had obviously been frozen and cooked in the microwave. The edges were overcooked and brittle but the centre was stone cold. Very disappointing indeed as the sticky toffee pudding used to be a special favourite on previous visits. When we received the bill there was a 12.5% service charge already added making the total for this so-called special 2-course deal plus a bottle of house red just under £49: not good value at all. We are very unlikely to return.
   

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10. M

    Martin

    County Durham2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on September 26, 2015

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4

    Good food well prepared and presented. Menu is different and makes a change from the chain restaurants. Staff friendly and helpful.
    

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