The Water House — Restaurant in Great Britain

Review from 2016, edited to add photos bc this is still the greatest place I ate in all the UK I ended up here by chance because I wandered over to William Hedley down the street, and they quit serving food at 5pm lol what ? So I came out looking discouraged, and a random local guy came up to me and said follow me, I know a place with similar food that is amazing, and he walked me to Waterhouse. It was a Sunday and I had something that's a special on Sunday called "Lentil Roast" - basically a vegetarian meatloaf and it was literally the best thing I have ever eaten. I have to say my opinion of the food in the UK was not that high (Americans, right ? Lol) but this lentil roast.. it blew me away. we have nothing like that in the US (I can't even find someone who has heard of it) and I have been trying to recreate the recipe for months! I found it pretty cheap and the staff was absolutely wonderful. you cant get service like this in the US!! Being an American I left a huge tip, and they ran after me saying I wasn't allowed to tip them.( I don't understand this at all lol) I really wanted to! I don't know if they still serve it, but the meal was called "Lentil Roast Sunday Club Meal" with red pepper/carrot/mushroom/Pumpkin Seeds. It had cheese on top, but you could probably omit that if vegan. They were VERY accomodating. The actual CHEF (not a waiter) even ran out and told me I couldnt have the specific dressing I asked for on my salad because it had fish in it and I had said I was vegetarian! I was very grateful for that! Again, that kind of service and level of caring...

The Water House on North Road is Durham's Version of the Cantina Bar from Star Wars.

The clientele ranges from Old dears utilising the all you can drink tea and coffee before 2pm to the hardened local battering the door down on the dot of opening time, then to students and then to folk like myself who like that it's a cheap pub with some plug sockets.

Staff are always welcoming and helpful. Fridays and Saturdays, as well as Bank Holidays they are joined by Door Staff with the extra influx of punters.

Foods decent. Typical Spoons faire.

One downside is the regulars often use the disabled toilet and many of them seem to not have any sence of aim which was not ideal when I had suffered a broken leg and ended up just using the stairs to go to the much cleaner ladies. Of course this is a Spoons with the traditional several flights of stairs to get to said area.

Overal it is an experience and sadly one that looks like it might not be around as a Spoons soon.

Highly...

Have been a regular over the years and pop in for a breakfast after night shift... NEVER AGAIN. Asked sullen bar maid if I could borrow a pen. This middle aged creature didn't even look up from her laptop she was looking at on the bar! . Just " I ain't got one" .. am like excuse me where are your customer service skills. I have worked in hospitality most my life and am astounded that wether spoons would employ such a sullen unhelpful, rude person. Usually they have nice happy smiling staff. They have charged my phone in the past and nothing has been a trouble. I probably spend £30 quid a week in the place.. no more they have lost my custom for good. Disgusting manners and poor service . Puts the pretty brunette who is always there working hard and smiling ,,(but not to day to shame). If I was her I would find something better ! Ironic thing is my manager used to be the area manager for...