I have held off on submitting this reviewing pending a second visit, which I did within 3 weeks of the first. Why? Because I wanted to see if it was fluke first time or whether they could deliver a good dining experience a second time around.
So, to cut to the chase, this is a good restaurant. By Durham standards, frankly, it is great. I realise that this assertion is going to mark me out for some criticism but I am prepared for it. The fact is, having moved from many years of living in London where I was spoiled for choice when it came to a good restaurant, it has been a challenge to find cooking of those same standards in this postcode. Don't get me wrong, if you venture to Newcastle you can find some excellent fare, but in Durham I have found a number of places which are ok, but frankly I would struggle to rate them better than that. Gourmet Spot, or DH1 as it should actually be called at the time of this review, therefore stands apart.
Plaudits are due for the quality of the cooking and the desire to do something different. Their cooking of meat is to be complimented, and the presentation is excellent. On the slight negative, there seems to be a tendency to the almost overly complex, resulting in some delicate flavours being married with much stronger ones to the point that the former is lost. But, credit for trying and it certainly does not result in a poor meal.
If I was to be very critical: I would like to see a little more depth to the wine list, and also while the menu did change in the three weeks between our two visits, the changes were subtle; the same staples were on the menu but they were cooked subtly differently. I would like to see more ‘edge’.
Finally, and I daresay this is heresy on my part, but I am not keen on the award winning dessert. For me it is simply too sweet. But hey, what do I know, it saw off lots of competition.
In short, if you are in Durham this is probably as good as it gets. Perhaps I should not say this out loud as I have not had a problem booking at short notice and this may change that, and I want to return. In saying that, if this review gives something of a prod to some other Durham establishments to simply try harder, that may open up more doors.
Well done DH1. You are flying a flag for Durham.