The Leven Restaurant in Stockton-on-Tees

We had been bought a voucher for this chain of hotels which was coming near to expiry so having had a lovely Sunday Lunch here a few years ago thought it would be lovely to go again. Started badly we ordered a Hendricks gin and slimline tonic a lime and soda and 2 of the black sheep brewery lagers. What we received was 2 soda waters a lager and lime and a Hendricks with normal tonic so essentially every drink was wrong was eventually rectified but not the best start. We were surprised to see they were serving topside but stated served pink so we ordered it . When it came it was a massive chunk of overcooked beef with zero fat or flavour it took some getting through to be honest. We ordered a bottle of wine and the server spilt on the table when pouring both initial glasses. I appreciate that the food price is reasonable in the current climate but the offering doesn’t meet the setting could be so much better. We knocked the service charge off and my husband did explain why at the time but we were then accosted by the maitre d on the way out asking us why this was after he had encouraged us to leave a good review on trip advisor etc and tried to book us in for 2 weeks time just not really good enough!

Excellent food, excellent value, slow service. Nice staff who were young and keen and learning on the job.

Nice welcome by friendly staff Good choice of menu Gloria was an excellant MD made everyone’s lunch Food was well presented and to a high standard All very hot and vegetables were exceptionally good Attention to detail was of a high standard Highly recommended

We have visited Crathorne Hall Hotel many times, usually for lunch - and always enjoy the freshly-cooked fare, served in the relaxed atmosphere of the beautiful dining room. Gloria always adds her own special touch when welcoming us to the table, and supervising the delivery of dishes in her own inimitable cheerful style. Not a huge selection on the lunchtime menu, but nearly always a fish dish and vegetarian option. Not the place to go if you are in a rush, as service is leisurely. Can thoroughly recommend the bream, and also the (very rich) creme brulee!

My wife and i took 2 friends to Sunday Lunch and had high expectations given the Hall's reputation. The starters were fine (2 Crayfish cocktails and 2 Pates) we all ordered the roast beef. What a disappointment! although the portions were generous, the beef was extremely tough. Because we were hungry, and did not want to make a complaint during the meal, we struggled through it. At the end of the meal the waitress noticed a lot left on our plates and asked if there was a problem, we told her the beef was far too tough and we were all very disappointed. She said she would tell the chef, but nothing was done. I felt embarrassed for our guests and asked for the bill, £91 for four 2 course meals and 3 glasses of wine!!!! which I would not have minded if it was good food! I paid to avoid embarrassing my guests but will NEVER go back or recommend it to anyone. As an afterthought, maybe the chef should sample the meat before he sends it out!

Over recent years, we have enjoyed many wonderful meals at Crathorne and our most recent was again delightful. The chef's introductory taster was an excellent cannoli filled with beetroot mouse. Our starters, squid and poached egg on black pudding were delicious. I had the ribeye. I like mine rare and so there is little room for error. The steak was delicious as was the peppercorn sauce; thinner than I have had at other restaurants but tasty and not overpowering the meat. My wife thoroughly enjoyed her sea bass. The desserts were tasty. As occurs in hotels up and down the land, there was a party in the adjoining dining room. It did not spoil the food our our time together. We will be back,

We had high expectations of Crathorne Hall and were looking forward to a special treat of Friday evening dinner. The grounds and entrance are stunning, and create a real sense of anticipation as you walk on the red carpet into the building. We had pre-dinner drinks in the lounge / drawing room. A waitress knocked our candle over and spilled hot wax on the table and my handbag; not to worry, these things happen. My partner's vodka and coke came as vodka and lemonade; everyone makes mistakes. Waiter asked if that was spilled wax and told us not to worry he was sure he could clean it up later, as if we'd done it!! We went into the restaurant for dinner. A party taking place next door meant that instead of low key romantic atmosphere, we were treated to Twist and Shout, Happy Birthday etc. Amuse bouches arrived - beautiful but bland. One of my forks was clotted with old food so I requested a clean one. Starters arrived - I was given a tomato tart. I'd ordered the tomato sponge but apparently that was off and I should have been told. I wasn't and I wouldn't have ordered a tart. But it was either have it or sit waiting whilst my partner looked at his and waited too, so I had the tart. Nothing wrong with it but nothing striking either ;little flavour. Same verdict for the pate. Ordered glass of dry rose - not asked what size - served me a large one - was pretty sweet. Mains arrived. Ribeye was missing the Peppercorn sauce we ordered. This then came after reminding staff, was poured over steak before discovering it was a thin, extremely peppery reduction which presumably was waiting to have cream added to it. Ruined the steak although my partner made the best of it. No checkback until meal finished , when we told waiter , who made enquiries and said sauce hadn't been reduced fully (??) And took the £1.50 supplement off bill. Pot chicken with fondant potatoes was OK but again fairly tasteless. Potatoes needed lots more seasoning. Desserts were a pleasant pineapple meringue dish, and a cheeseboard - I can't relate what the cheeses were as I wasn't told, which at the beginning of the evening I would have found quite shocking but by this stage nothing could surprise us. We are not diners who complain at small things; however at £39 per person for dinner, and £35 for four drinks, everything needs to be right. Dirty cutlery, wrong drinks, bad sauce etc just doesn't cut it. We won't be back.

We decided to have Sunday lunch out so booked a table at the Leven Restaurant at Craythorne Hall. The Hall itself is an elegant country house with good parking and is set in peaceful parkland. The Leven Restaurant is an airy oak panelled room with a high ceiling and large bay window. It is roomy and the tables are well laid out and not overcrowded. The Sunday lunch menu offers about four starters, four mains and three desserts. We both chose pate to start followed be roast Sirloin which is offered medium rare or well done. The medium rare was perfectly cooked, pink and juicy. This was accompanied by a large Yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes. A bowl of seasonal vegetables and a boat of gravy were presented along side. The portions were more than sufficient. We both decided on the chocolate fudge sundae to finish which was also delicious. The service was very good too and staff were very attentive. We will certainly have Sunday lunch here again in the not too distant future.

Sunday lunch 3 courses £35 for two, good food and a great deal, well worth it. Really enjoyed our Sunday lunch good food, prepared, cooked and served well. Nothing too flash but nice, would recommend this.

Exquisite food and top rate service. The restaurant has all its original features and is a lovely place to dine

Works Christmas party shouldn't mean that the food has to fall very very short of being value for money. Salmon starter was minuscule, pate was awful, turkey dinner - bullet like sprouts, undercooked roast potatoes, disgusting stuffing, cheese and biscuits for dessert- never ever had rubbery Brie...not a good advert at all for what I have been lead to believe was supposed to be an amazing place for food.

Wij hebben een bijzonder plekje gezocht en gevonden. Wat een fantastische ambiance. Het eten was heerlijk. De wijnkaart is goed.

The 3 course meal is £39 per person but included a glass of Proseco, trio of amuse buche and fabulous homemade bread. So hood value. Both the Scallop and the Ham hock starts were fantastic really well thought out and presented, tasted great. The waiter was attentive. The Steak main course again fantastic. Chips so good my husband ordered more. The Fish ( Halibut i think -I forget) was so tasty and well cooked as were all acompaniments of mussels, mash and orange. However it didn't quiet gel together as one dish think it would have been better to have a sauce made of mussels and orange. Wine was very well priced and the menu extensive. The Chocolate Brownie was superb and we finished the meal with floater coffee in the lounge bar. So only reason for not scoring excellent was no ambience in the resteraunt (everyone seemed to be talking in whispers or in ackward sikence). The were 4 tables of diners well spaced out, maybe some candles and background music would give it that edge. If I returned to the hotel I would use the resteraunt again.

Lovely setting and beautiful food. Makes a change from all of the 'Italians' on Teesside. Would highly recommend.

We visited this restaurant for dinner. The choice was eithe a set table d'hote menu or a la carte. We all chose from the table D'Hote menu and it was fantastic. The staff were extremely attentive and friendly. we certainly would recommend it and will return for another meal very soon.

Lovely menu. Fabulous food. Excellent service. What more could you ask. Wine seems a little pricey but I guess the overheads will be high. Will definitely return.

Había reservado para ir aquí para cenar después de leer acerca de que en la guía de restaurantes de diversas instituciones. El lugar en sí en el Crathorne Hall hotel parecía muy grande y fue un buen lugar para sentarse y relajarse en el salón previamente y leer el periódico.

Como un patrón normal me gusta tener una pre-champagne para cenar en el salón y el menú, aunque rara vez cambiando- destaca la prueba del tiempo, muy bien presentada y suficiente variedad no hacer la lectura del menú una tarea engorrosa. Algunos restaurantes presentan una con un libro que es bastante innecesario en mi opinión.

Los suplementos menú nunca modificaciones introducidas por todo lo que es una basura de comercio de restauración y saber cómo las cosas. También al final de una comida a alguien para una bandeja de té y café no está en esta cuesta nada. La comida en el buffet del desayuno era la izquierda desenterrado así que no podía comer por las moscas.

Visitamos durante una estancia en Crathorne Hall y todos los aspectos de la comida era fantástica, el personal ha creado una atmósfera muy acogedora y fueron muy atentos a nuestra experiencia.

my wife and I had a meal here for our anniversary and it was very nicewe have had meals here before and the food and service has always been goodwhen we arrived someone opened the door and greeted us then showed us to the lounge to have a pre diner drinkthe lounge is very cosy and relaxed and a nice start to the evening we were served pre dinner snacks and our order was taken then when our order was ready we were led to the restaurant we had ordered a bottle of champagne and this was ready in an ice bucket at the table the food was excellent and the staff serving were professional and attentive without being obtrusive pouring our champagne and checking if everything was o.kthe menu has wine pairing for each dish which is very good and we had a port to go with the cheeses for dessert which was very goodwe finished dour meal and went back to the lounge for a drink where the staff served us and ordered a taxi for usoverall it was a very enjoyable evening - both the staff and the food were very good and I will certainly be going again