85 Secret Garden — Restaurant in Newcastle-under-Lyme

I came here yesterday evening and unfortunately was extremely disappointed with the service. We were booked in at half past five and were due to be at the theatre at half past 7 which should have been plenty of time but unfortunately we were late for the show due to the speed of the service. My husband and I arrived a few minutes before our booking time. We were seated but no one offered to take our drinks order whilst we were waiting for our third guest. We were also not given food menus at this point. Our friend arrived shortly after and was seated. We then waited a further ten minutes and ended up having to catch the attention of a waitress in order to ask for food menus and for our drinks order to be taken. Goodness knows how long it would have taken if we hadn't stopped a waitress to ask. She was very apologetic and at this point we hoped that the staff would go out of the way for the remainder of our time there in order to rectify this initial issue. Unfortunately this was not the case. The plates for our mains were cleared at which point we said that we would like to see the dessert menus. Again these were not forthcoming. I wouldn't have minded if they were extremely busy and the staff were rushed off their feet. This was not the case. The four tables around us were empty and when we eventually came to leave we noticed that there was only one other group in the restaurant besides us. Furthermore whilst we were sat waiting for dessert menus to be brought to us, a waitress was just stood in the eyeline of our table leisurely drying cutlery at the kitchen pass as if she had nothing else to do. This was particularly frustrating. Again a member of our group had to go up to a member of staff and remind them about bringing the dessert menus. Once we finally had our desserts we then had to rush them because of the time and still arrived late for our theatre show which wouldn't have been the case if the staff had displayed even the bare minimum of attentiveness that one would expect. This experience would definitely put me...

This will probably be the most thorough review I've written so far but 85 Secret Garden deserves it. Initially made aware on Instagram of this restaurants launch a few years back I've always been intrigued and wanted to visit. It is a hidden gem in an unusual location and likely survives on its online presence and word of mouth so it deserves a big shout out. We were welcomed as soon as we walked through the door and led straight to the table. Every member of staff we encountered throughout our visit smiled at us, that leaves an impression. Intrigued by shots of the decor (Deco maximilist) online I had wondered if it was all going to be too much but no, the lighting was low and subtle and along with the ambient music it all worked to create an amazing atmosphere. No expense has been spared creating this interior and the attention to detail is incredible. Our waitress Holly was fabulous from start to finish, explaining how the small plates worked portion wise and what to expect. She thoroughly explained the dishes I asked about when I came to choose. The food was stunning I had the Tuna and Brocolli dishes and my partner the Lamb Koftas, Chilli Beef and loaded fries (amazing - I tried them all!). One comment I have seen is that it would be good to be able to upgrade to a larger plate and I agree. The menu is small and perfectly formed, I wonder if larger plates or more options may be needed to keep people coming back? Several check backs made throughout the meal by different staff members. The Bill at the end was delivered in a quirky little box, I love these touches. If I could give 6 stars I would. Thank you for our experience, I think you have it nailed and appreciate your obvious investment in what you have created here! Another fabulous meal here in March 23 (photos added) served the lovely Ella. Large plates now available which are great. The Staff are so happy and attentive in their work which creates a great ambience. Blown away yet again by the attention to detail in food, service and...

What an amazing hidden gem! This is the first time we have visited and we were blown away by the service, food quality and attention to detail. To start, I can't fault the staff. I hold told them about my nut allergy on booking and they ensured everything I ate was as safe as possible and made me aware of any precautions. This is a breath of fresh air, attending a wonderful venue and not having to read through pages of allergy advice at the table. The staff were so attentive and always ready to help! The food is certainly some of the best I have eaten, certainly in Staffordshire. At first glance the menu seems limited with around 6 choices for each course but this is more than sufficient and in my opinion ensured the quality was second to none. The menu clearly shows an array of gluten-free and vegan options but they were willing to adapt to meet my needs. I hade the duck starter served with no hazelnuts and it was delicious. The pork loin for my main was the best pork dish I have ever eaten. The portions were perfect and I wasn't left feeling hungry, we did share a desert and it was also delightful. My wife enjoyed a mocktail or 3 and I had an old fashioned to finish which were all delightful.

I can't recommend this hidden gem enough, the...