[Mr Mercury]

 spireitetoo, on 16 March 2025 - 10:33 PM, said:

Think covid put paid to pinichio's dunno about renato's tho

I think that closed well before covid.

[Holmesc1]

 spireitetoo, on 16 March 2025 - 10:33 PM, said:

Think covid put paid to pinichio's dunno about renato's tho

Suspect alot forgot it was there as the place seemed a bit concealed. I thought it had shut a few year ago, a former work colleague said it was like going back to the 70s

[Sammy Spireite]

 Mr Mercury, on 16 March 2025 - 10:35 PM, said:

I think that closed well before covid.

Aug 2009 according to CH

https://find-and-upd...ompany/04780067

This post has been edited by Sammy Spireite: 18 March 2025 - 02:03 PM

[Westbars Spireite]

 JonB, on 16 March 2025 - 09:30 PM, said:

When I first started at Royal Mail years ago I was based in the offices above those buildings on Corporation Street. Our particular office was above the kitchen for that place and about 3pm every day we got a waft of cooking onion and garlic through the office.

Remember having an office Christmas party/lunch one year. Must have been around 2000. Don’t think it was open much longer after that.

[Misnomer]

 spireitetoo, on 16 March 2025 - 09:13 PM, said:

Yea, only went once, but was bang on, as was pinochio's on glumangate, that was proper top notch.

Loved both of those places; especially, Pinocchio's... quality and authentic Italian.

[JonB]

 Westbars Spireite, on 18 March 2025 - 02:50 PM, said:

Remember having an office Christmas party/lunch one year. Must have been around 2000. Don’t think it was open much longer after that.

Yeh definitely not been there for years. It was either what is now Indian Blues or the next building down the road which is some awful bar place now.

 Misnomer, on 18 March 2025 - 03:17 PM, said:

Loved both of those places; especially, Pinocchio's... quality and authentic Italian.

Mate worked at Pinocchio's for quite a while and a lot of the time i'd give him a lift home if i wasnt out anywhere. Would always come out with two or three pizzas that would get consumed back at his with some beers. They were very nice as well.

[Westbars Spireite]

I think it was the bar further down as I remember it having a wider frontage.

[Bankrobber]

I thought it was virtually over the road from the theatre entrance. Not sure whats there now.

[Middle East]

 Bankrobber, on 18 March 2025 - 06:58 PM, said:

I thought it was virtually over the road from the theatre entrance. Not sure whats there now.

It will be one of the many bars along that stretch!

Take your pick Aruba, Armistead, association etc. The restaurant shut down more than 20 years ago, so no one is going to be able to order the veal escapolope with Neapolitan spaghetti which was my favourite there....unless they are a medium (spiritual not steak).

This post has been edited by Middle East: 18 March 2025 - 07:16 PM

[Westbars Spireite]

 Bankrobber, on 18 March 2025 - 06:58 PM, said:

I thought it was virtually over the road from the theatre entrance. Not sure whats there now.

I've found a picture online and I think it was what on Google streetview last year shows as Moo Bar (no idea if it's still open or if it's now something else).

https://www.derbyshi...n-again-4220927

This post has been edited by Westbars Spireite: 18 March 2025 - 07:19 PM

[JonB]

 Westbars Spireite, on 18 March 2025 - 07:11 PM, said:

I've found a picture online and I think it was what on Google streetview last year shows as Moo Bar (no idea if it's still open or if it's now something else).

https://www.derbyshi...n-again-4220927

It is what was moo bar at some point since as the entrance to my old office is the next one down.

[Blue5]

Pleasantly surprised by O-Tokuda because it's not really our thing. The service was excellent and although it's difficult for us to judge the food versus other similar venues, I would say it was good. The downside is that it was packed and as a result quite noisy. We had gone out as a group of 7 and instead of spending the night talking, it was a bit stop-start constantly looking at the menu to order food.

We've been to the Hunloke again this month and after our last visit which we weren't overly impressed with, it feels like their offering is gradually declining. We had to send a couple of meals back as they were cold. We've got some vouchers to use, but when they've gone we probably won't bother returning.

Called in at the Peacock in Barlow for a breakfast last week, which was excellent. Given the surroundings and views, for £11.95, I thought it was great value for money.

[Middle East]

Been a few times in the past to O-Tokuda and enjoyed it, but not for a few years now so good to hear it's still decent. Don't rate the Hunloke at all, 2 or 3 disappointing meals put paid to my venturing in there, though my wife goes reasonably often with her mates. She went on Wednesday and said it was good...not for me though!

We are taking advantage of the Bulls Head taster menu as an early mothers day treat this week as it's 25% off on Wednesday and Thursday evenings in March. It's always very good, plus I will get some brownie points!!!

As an aside we are venturing up to Northumberland again in a couple of weeks time and I've booked a couple of our favourites (Sa!twater cafe and the White Swan) and will be trying the Black Swan in Seahouses for the first time. Which I am really looking forward too having read their reviews!

Thanks for the tip on the Peacock, I like it in there (apart from not being able to book a table), and I'd never considered it as brekky venue. Tend to go to Dunston if we're over that way.

This post has been edited by Middle East: 23 March 2025 - 10:25 AM

[spireitetoo]

I'd challenge anyone to find a better breakfast than Crossroads cafe on Brim Rd, (greasy spoon I hear you cry) it was back in the day, but now a nice clean place with and 5* elite hygiene rating

4 bacon, 2 sausage egg, beans tomato's 2 slices of toast and a cuppa for £6, you can't do it your self for that price, and it all tastes great

[oldgoat]

The " small " vegan breakfast at spoons is nice for £2.99
x2 sausage , x2 hash browns , mushrooms , tomatoes , beans and toast .

[Mr Mercury]

 oldgoat, on 23 March 2025 - 04:18 PM, said:

The " small " vegan breakfast at spoons is nice for £2.99
x2 sausage , x2 hash browns , mushrooms , tomatoes , beans and toast .

Can’t believe they’re stopping doing steaks, gammon and mixed grills

[dim view]

 Mr Mercury, on 23 March 2025 - 04:29 PM, said:

Can’t believe they’re stopping doing steaks, gammon and mixed grills

No eggs at Alfreton Spoons this morning. I blame Starmer. Substitutions included additional bacon and mushrooms.

[Holmesc1]

 Mr Mercury, on 23 March 2025 - 04:29 PM, said:

Can’t believe they’re stopping doing steaks, gammon and mixed grills

You’ve got to be joking right? Was the best value on menu

[Mr Mercury]

 Holmesc1, on 23 March 2025 - 05:59 PM, said:

You’ve got to be joking right? Was the best value on menu

The cost of meat with the rising prices caused by the budget it’s now not cost effective enough for them apparently

[Valley Blues]

 Holmesc1, on 23 March 2025 - 05:59 PM, said:

You’ve got to be joking right? Was the best value on menu

The large mixed grill and pint of premium lager for £13 was exceptional value.

Folk will always turn their nose up at Wetherspoons and would very often pay double the price for half the portion and a quarter of the quality at some country Inn with a grouse, claret or peacock in its name but the snap at Wetherspoons has always been really good in my opinion.

If the costs are escalating and making it impossible to offer such value for money then removing it from the menu as opposed to hiking the prices seems to be the Wetherspoons way.