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REVIEW: The Stonebridge Inn, Durham

Posted on July 3rd 2017 by Whats on Northeast

Words and photos: Laura Brown for Proper Scrumptious

Having heard multiple reports of how good this place is, and because I was in desperate need of a hangover-banishing Sunday lunch in Durham, we decided to finish off my birthday weekend with a visit to The Stonebridge Inn.

At the bottom of Neville’s Cross Bank, the traditional pub is cosy and welcoming. We were told to take a seat anywhere we liked and someone would be over to take our order. Soon enough, a lovely member of staff arrived with menus and to take our drinks order. An ice cold pint of Moretti for me, please. I needed something to take off the edge.

The menu was small but had a really nice variation of starters, roasts and even main menu dishes if you weren’t too taken on a Sunday dinner.

I went for the intriguing first course of black pudding and chorizo with a peppercorn sauce. And it was cracking. Just the stodgy, indulgent kind of food I was in need of, but also incredibly tasty. I’d never heard of black pudding to be paired with chorizo. However, I wondered why after the dish arrived; the spice of each complimented the other brilliantly. Dan chose the honey roast parsnip soup, which was smooth, thick and beautifully sweet. A really lovely tasting, warm soup that reminded me of Christmas.

For the main course, I chose the classic roast beef and Dan, of course, went for the meat medley. Slices of every meat on the menu including turkey, beef and pork. The main, for me, was absolutely fine. The beef was perhaps a little bit over-cooked and dry, but it is known that I still like my meat to move on my plate. The Yorkshire puddings were perfect, the mash was smooth and creamy, and roast potatoes crisp yet fluffy. The veg that accompanied our meal was also satisfactory. Separate dishes of cauliflower cheese, turnip, mushy peas and carrots were all cooked and seasoned well.

Overall, it was enjoyable and most definitely just what I needed to pull me out of a prosecco induced daze. Was it the best Sunday lunch in Durham? Unfortunately not, but the pub is friendly and the prices even more so.

You can get lunch from 11.30am until 8.00pm and there’s no need to book either, which is always handy for impromptu cravings for meaty goodness.

I’ll certainly return for a sample of the main menu, as I have heard rave reviews. Plus, we noticed they have various promotions during the week such as; two main meals for £11.95! Not bad.

For more information on The Stonebridge Inn, visit their website. Read Proper Scrumptious for more reviews and food recipes from Laura Brown. Catch some more of Laura’s photography from the meal below.

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