​Treated Dad to a lunch here recently and it was a great shout. It’s a bit of a drive out of town, away from the housing estates, but it’s clearly a popular spot for a reason. It’s brilliant to see a pub on the outskirts thriving like this. ​I went for the beer-battered haddock which came with what looked like double-fried chips, mushy peas, and tartare sauce. The fish was cooked perfectly—the batter was lovely and crispy without being greasy at all. The chips were spot on, too! ​Dad had the chicken breast in peppercorn sauce with chips and veg. The veg was done exactly to his liking (though what that actually is, none of us have ever quite figured out! 🤣🤣). He did find the chicken a touch dry, but to be fair, the kitchen and front-of-house teams seemed to be under a fair bit of pressure. ​The pub has a nice mix of styles: a traditional bar and dining area, plus a more modern, bright, and airy conservatory. We didn't book, and although they managed to squeeze us in, I reckon if we’d arrived any later we wouldn't have been so lucky! ​The vibe was "buzzy" and everyone seemed to be enjoying their meals. Even though it was busy, the noise level was moderate enough that we could actually have a proper chat. ​As for the service, the staff were prompt, polite, and friendly. Considering how packed it was, they did a grand job of getting the food out before I started gnawing on my own arm! 🤣 ​ ​All in all, a really nice experience. If you’re looking for a proper pub lunch, I’d highly recommend it. I’ll definitely be returning! 💛

What a pleasure to eat here, the staff are friendly and efficient. We popped in for lunch not realising it was D'ton restaurant week, with two courses for £15, so that was a Brucie bonus. They have a full vegetarian menu, along with a vegan one and then their normal menu, with a good range of different meat and fish dishes. It's certainly the best range of veggie and vegan food in Darlington and quite possibly the whole of Co Durham.