Having dined at Gourmet Spot yesterday, when my children were treating me for my birthday, we will not be doing so again.
We chose the restaurant having looked carefully at menus on the internet, and saw nothing containing peanuts. When we arrived my son alerted the manager / Maitre D’ to his nut allergy, as the menu suggested.
When he was subsequently served a peanut butter bonbon, and told it was a chocolate bonbon, his sister ate a small piece of it and realised the content. Had my son eaten it, he would certainly have needed an ambulance to hospital, and it could have been fatal.
In my opinion it is unacceptable that we were not told that peanuts were being used in the kitchen; that he was served a peanut butter bonbon; that he was told it was chocolate when the waiter went to check; and finally that the Manager / Maitre D' did not seem to appreciate the seriousness of the situation when he was informed.
It was only because of my son's distress and our desire to get out as quickly as possible, that we did not pursue it at the time. Even the fact that his sister had eaten peanuts and then travelled in the car with my son could have caused a reaction.
Altogether, a very distressing end to our celebrations.
Maya
This really is a fantastic restaurant. I was recommended by friends and had a brilliant evening. Brian the manager looked after us all evening and the service was faultless. Food was amazing, no wonder they're Michelin recommended. The surprise bouches added to the experience and the location, parking, atmosphere was just perfect. We'll definitely be going again and cannot recommend it highly enough.
Kerry & Stu
Wow what can i say. The most amazing meal we had in a very long time. I think this place has a very bright future. Gourmet spot - Don't change. Amazing!
Kt
Afraid this restaurant did not live up to expectation. Food was average and service was diabolical. Before I say anymore, we are not food critics with any sense of self importance.The 3 of us dined for a friends 25th birthday & just wanted somewhere a bit special.Greeter didn't wait for all of party to arrive before forcing us to take our seats, pressured us into ordering and served warm tap water (without offering alternative). We then poured our own wine all evening and had the uncomfortable experience of the chef peering over our shoulders to see if we had finished before he cleared our plates away prematurely. Worst moment was when we asked about the dessert when it arrived and yet another waiter said he 'didnt have a clue' and 'if it sounds like what you ordered, it'll be that'. I certainly would not visit again. Go to a predictable chain like La Tasca for the same type of lazy service and overpriced food!
Ian And Linda
We visited The G Spot on Friday night as a special birthday treat.
What can I say the service was superb and the food fantastic. We had been meaning to go for some time, and are now looking for an excuse for a return visit.
Happy Chappy
Absolutely fantastic restaurant. The food was brilliant. I have to say this was the best meal I've ever had. Fresh bread, one was called Black Pudding Bread, guess why, followed by a beef tartar as a complimentary bouche. Salmon three ways, followed by venison and then an amazing cheese board with fresh-made crackers and quince. I understand they've got a new chef and his cooking is out of this world. I spoke with him on the night and he was saying that he's worked with the El Bulli chefs!
The Party From Surrey - Again!
We came up to Durham from Surrey last year for a concert and stumbled across the Gourmet Spot in its first week of opening - and were blown away by the food and the whole experience. Coming back this year we made a bee-line for the place and found that it confirmed all our expectations. The food was again extraordinary, inventive, utterly delicious and (surprisingly) FUN! Unorthodox combinations of flavours and textures mixed with superb and artistic presentation make this, in our opinion, the Number One restaurant we have ever visited.
We recently went to Gordon Ramsay's at Claridges. Whereas I would not presume to criticise that establishment, we prefer the Gourmet Spot in all respects, as we find it better, smarter, friendlier and half the price (keep it that way, Sean, please !!). As an extra bonus, Sean remembered us and took the trouble to spend a considerable amount of time with us, which made the meal all the more special. More power to your elbow, Sean, and we wish you and your team all luck for the future. Just squeeze us in somehow next time we are Up North !!!
Mj
Friday night in Gourmet spot was fantastic, all six of us had the best time ever. The food , the service and the whole night was something special. One minor point that you might like feed back on though is that you could do with a few extra staff, apart from that I couldn't find fault. The chef speaking to each table was a nice touch as was the pre-order idea so that everything was prepared for our arrival.
Will definitely recommend.
Jg
This was our third visit to gourmet spot in as many months and i have to say that every time we visit it just gets better and better. The food is superb with special mention to the Tea and toast and the chocolate board, they were inspired. The service seems to have improved hugely and there seems to be a far more relaxed atmosphere about the place, we'll be back next month, can't wait.
Stu-nicholls
Well what on earth am i going to write here to even begin to express what has happened this evening?
We arrived a bit late but that wasn't a problem, the weather was dreadful and very cold and wet, but the welcome was warm and very friendly, what a refreshing change to see restaurant staff who actually ENJOY their work!
We were presented with the menu and were taken into the restaurant, yes , I know from reading the other reviews that everyone is infatuated with THAT chandelier, but hey the picture on the website really doesn't do it justice, it's mesmerizing, stunning, beautiful, inspired, fantastic, fabulous... you get the idea???? ....we liked it.
The manager told us all about the restaurant from conception to the present (very proudly I must add),I have to say also that his recommendation of the Billi Billi Shiraz was inspired, a wine that I have never tried before, but which is now one of my favourites, as it went so well with the food...oh!!!! and what food!!!! King Prawns so good , they were too good for a king, only an emperor should sample such perfection, Venison so succulent that a feeling of absolute bliss fills your heart and wait for this... a CHOCOLATE BOARD!!!!! Yes, a board filled with chocolate dishes that would put Thorntons to shame, imagine Christmas, Easter and your birthday all rolled into one... double it, add perfection and you may well be half way to experiencing the ultimate gastronomic jamboree that we have just been through, I'm salivating at the very memory.
Then, after a couple of hours of sheer palette pampering the night was topped off nicely when the genius himself emerged from the kitchen to talk to every table individually, I have never witnessed such passion, such professionalism and such dedication. (In case i haven't made it quite clear...we loved it, we'll be back and we will recommend this to everyone we meet for a very long time to come). Thank you so much.