Sedgefield
Bolams

Bolams

Salters Lane, Sedgefield I-TS21 3EE, GB, United Kingdom

Cafe • Cafés • Asiatic • Mexican


"I appreciate that they offer locally grown fruits and vegetables at excellent prices when in season. Their waxed apples from around the globe are still fresher compared to some supermarkets, and their herb packs are generous. However, I noticed a decline in the cheese selection about a year ago, and while the cooked meat section remains, it’s also less varied than it used to be. The fish section is noteworthy; it seems to be another business renting space at Bolam, and it has certainly improved since the previous vendors. It’s refreshing to see a new young shop assistant who is both helpful and takes pride in his work. Prices can vary, and they offer live mussels and oysters. However, during my last visit, I received a warning about 7-day old shellfish without prior notice. While it cooked well, I believe they should include such information upfront. I'm slightly concerned about hygiene, particularly in the meat section; the packaging is sometimes not sturdy enough. The cling film can be torn, exposing the meat to the risk of cross-contamination. Be sure to wash your hands and bags, as there may be blood spills. On a positive note, the products don't linger on the shelves for too long, ensuring freshness; hand sanitizer is also readily available. I haven’t heard of anyone getting sick from here, so I won’t be reducing my rating. Adjacent to the shop on the left is The Full Monty canteen, likely named after the famous movie. I've heard that many bus drivers enjoy their lunch there. The food is fairly simple but tasty and very affordable. The facility is accessible for those with disabilities, and the restrooms are located in the canteen. There's also a petrol station nearby and a large Sainsbury's for staples like milk and yogurt if you’re shopping for the week. Additionally, there's a large park down the dual carriageway."

Rib Room Steakhouse Grill

Rib Room Steakhouse Grill

Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, United Kingdom, TS21 2EH

Kebab • Cafés • Mexican • European


"Very ordinary experience, poor food and slow service. My wife and I ate dinner last night. The appetisers were an onion and blue cheese tart and pork belly ribs. The tart had zero blue cheese or onion flavours, the pastry was soggy. It was a plain tart with a little salt and pepper, not as described on the menu. The ribs while cooked beautifully and tender, were cold and tasteless. We both ordered Sirloin steaks for our main course, my wife 's medium rare with blue cheese sauce, mine medium well with peppercorn sauce. My wife 's steak was cooked perfectly, but again (bit of a theme here) it was a cream sauce, that had never been in the same post code as blue cheese. The accompanying mushroom, tomato and double cooked chips were very good. My steak ordered medium well, was rare, and so I asked them to take it back and give it a little longer on the grill. My wife also sent back her sauce as it had no blue cheese. After 30 minutes, by which time my wife had eaten her steak without sauce, they returned with my steak, which was very very well done, so over cooked it was hard to eat, and it came with my wife 's blue cheese sauce. I asked for he peppercorn sauce I had orded and to speak to a manager. The sauce did not arrive and after 15 minutes, by which time my over cooked steak was now cold, I had to ask another waiter for help, and my sauce arrived shortly after. I couldn 't eat the cold over cooked steak. We were going to leave but I was still hungry after no steak, so I ordered a chocolate and orange brownie. It arrived again beautifully cooked but, again a bit of theme, no orange taste or flavor. Why list things on a menu that do not contain what they say when they arrive? In the middle of all this, my wife wanted to use the rest room, and returned disgusted, without going into detail, all 3 of the toilets were overflowing with poo and paper. The toilets are not cleaned or checked, they really were disgusting. When the bill came, after another 20 minute wait, and us asking twice, we spoke to the manager, who said she was sorry, and removed the £5 brownie from the £120 bill. Nothing for the appalling service or one of the steaks being inedible, and the other without any sauce. What can I say that 's positive...there was a reasonable if not excellent wine list, we found a nice Cabernet for about £40 and the atmosphere and decor was nice. Also the quality of the sirloin meat was excellent, only spoiled that they couldn 't cook to medium well temperature after 2 attempts, 1st time rare, 2nd time very well done. The mushrooms that accompanied the steaks were excellent. In short, amongst the worse service I can ever remember in a restaurant, good quality product ruined by poor cooking, and bland cold and tasteless sauce, ribs and tarts. I can only assume the restaurant doesn 't care about returning customers and lives off transient custom from people staying at the Hall. I am posting this review from my cell phone,so please excuse any fat finger spelling."