Stockton-on-Tees
Pier 22 Cafe

Pier 22 Cafe

Thornaby Place Thornaby, TS17 6SF, Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom

Cafe • Cafés • Lunch • British


"As we’d read good things about the place on here, and needed a bit of a pick-me-up due to having a few drinks the night before, we decided to head there for breakfast. View is lovely, and the cafe interior is really nice. The place was busy when we arrived and there were only two empty tables, so we cleared one for ourselves and sat down. We ordered cooked breakfasts and hot drinks. We had about a 30 minute wait before anything arrived at our table. Usually I’d expect the drinks to arrive first, especially if there’s a bit of a wait for the food, but the drinks arrived with/slightly after the food. This did mean we were sat with nothing for half an hour, with a bit of a thirst on. The breakfasts were ok. The bacon and black pudding were nice, beans and tomato just as you’d expect (although you get a slice of tomato, rather than a whole one, which seems a bit tight). The sausages, however, were the cheapest, nastiest sausages I have ever had the misfortune to eat, and I’m surprised they’ve not addressed this, as it’s been mentioned in reviews before. I wasn’t expecting locally produced or butcher’s sausages, but these were just horrid. The mushrooms had seen better days, and those and the hash brown and fried egg just tasted of old cooking oil. Kids had toasties and chunky chips which looked quite nice. Cheese in the toasties was also a bit cheap-tasting but the kids didn’t mind that! Service was fine, staff seemed polite enough. We spent just under £50 for two adults and two kids, which was a lot considering the cheapness of the ingredients. I wouldn’t personally return."

Chiquito

Chiquito

18-20 Goodwood Square, Stockton-on-Tees I-TS17 7BW, United Kingdom

Tapas • Mexican • Breakfast • Vegetarian


"I have always been fascinated with the attempt to locate new food from others and I am happy enough to say I have tasted dishes from some countries. it's strange to think that until juni this year I would never have tried a real Mexican taco. I know. what did I think? that changed when I went to chiquito. from an on-site selection of the restaurant, when the first was full - my new found love for Mexican food started here. the place has an excited and lively feeling for it - almost as if its atmosphere is dazzling steak on a hotplate. my friend ordered the drawn black enchilada while I ordered the loaded bark chocolate with acidic cream. Oh, wow it was good. I intend to order it 100.% again together with a new page when I think. the menu ranges from their tacos and enchiladas to their chimichangas and paellas along with some steak dishes for less adventurous esser. I have washed everything with a cold mojito myself, but take their selection of alcoholic and alcohol-free drinks. chiquito opens from 9 am to 11 pm the whole week except Sunday, where it closes only half an hour earlier. some things that I must say is the mojito was too bitter for me, so I would like to see a sweeter taste, and the heat when it is packed was a problem so that windows/doors might be opened to it out of the air. unbelievably I loved this place and will go back earlier, instead of later - perhaps even my new favourite restaurant found."

The Leven

The Leven

Crathorne Hall Hotel, TS15 0AR, Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom

Fish • Meat • Lunch • Steak


"We had high expectations of Crathorne Hall and were looking forward to a special treat of Friday evening dinner. The grounds and entrance are stunning, and create a real sense of anticipation as you walk on the red carpet into the building. We had pre dinner drinks in the lounge drawing room. A waitress knocked our candle over and spilled hot wax on the table and my handbag; not to worry, these things happen. My partner's vodka and coke came as vodka and lemonade; everyone makes mistakes. Waiter asked if that was spilled wax and told us not to worry he was sure he could clean it up later, as if we'd done it!! We went into the restaurant for dinner. A party taking place next door meant that instead of low key romantic atmosphere, we were treated to Twist and Shout, Happy Birthday etc. Amuse bouches arrived beautiful but bland. One of my forks was clotted with old food so I requested a clean one. Starters arrived I was given a tomato tart. I'd ordered the tomato sponge but apparently that was off and I should have been told. I wasn't and I wouldn't have ordered a tart. But it was either have it or sit waiting whilst my partner looked at his and waited too, so I had the tart. Nothing wrong with it but nothing striking either ;little flavour. Same verdict for the pate. Ordered glass of dry rose not asked what size served me a large one was pretty sweet. Mains arrived. Ribeye was missing the Peppercorn sauce we ordered. This then came after reminding staff, was poured over steak before discovering it was a thin, extremely peppery reduction which presumably was waiting to have cream added to it. Ruined the steak although my partner made the best of it. No checkback until meal finished , when we told waiter , who made enquiries and said sauce hadn't been reduced fully ?? And took the £1.50 supplement off bill. Pot chicken with fondant potatoes was OK but again fairly tasteless. Potatoes needed lots more seasoning. Desserts were a pleasant pineapple meringue dish, and a cheeseboard I can't relate what the cheeses were as I wasn't told, which at the beginning of the evening I would have found quite shocking but by this stage nothing could surprise us. We are not diners who complain at small things; however at £39 per person for dinner, and £35 for four drinks, everything needs to be right. Dirty cutlery, wrong drinks, bad sauce etc just doesn't cut it. We won't be back."