What the Press Say
Food Critic on Hartlepool Mail
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16-April 2005 Raudin’s up there with the best
Dining at Raudin’s…………..
Restaurants in hotels are a lucrative business. Gone are the days when all you could expect are fry-ups, sausage and chips or a Sunday roast. Now it’s al á la carte food served by award winning chefs.
Much has been written about Hartlepool ’s Ocean Seafood Restaurant and Pennick’s in the Hilcarter.
But Raudin’s at the York Hotel, in the town’s York Road , really has been waiting in the shadows.
Hopefully all that could change.
I stumbled across the little gem, owned by Daniel Raudin, while doing a business storey on the hotel.
After reading the impressive menu on the website, which includes the like of King Prawns, scallops, fillet steak and chicken wings of fires, I decided to give it a go.
I booked a table for my boyfriend Steven and I and after having a couple of drinks in the town centre we jumped in a taxi to the restaurant.
After ordering drinks (a can of Carling and an Archers Aqua for £3.80) we were seated in a lovely conservatory to decide what we wanted.
I stayed away from the safe options and tried Frogs Legs (£5.25). Steven too was more adventurous and ordered smoked salmon tart with caviar (£5.95).
For the main course he chose venison steaks with Madeira and chocolate sauce (£16.50) while I went for the duck with cider and peppercorns (£10.95).
While the food was freshly prepared, we ordered another round of drinks (the same again).
We were then taken through to the restaurant where we were seated beside the window.
Surprisingly there was only one other table taken which was nice because we could relax and enjoy the meal in peace rather than in the hustle and bustle environment you get from some of the more well-known establishments.
When the frogs legs came I picked dup my knife and folk to tuck in, However after a few minutes I realised I was going to have to use my hands.
If I ‘d have known how messy they were I wouldn’t have got them and I have to say I was slightly disappoint with there taste. Aside from the lovely tomato and onion sauce they were pretty bland.
Stevens salmon tart was nice although it didn’t have much caviar which I am sure made up for the large portion of the price tag.
The main course though was fantastic.
There were three large steaks of venison and the chocolate sauce was to die for.
I was given around five duck breasts which were so nice. My only criticism was there weren’t enough sauce but that at least meant I could have more of Steven’s.
We were also given a generous plate of vegetables and a bowl of potatoes with fried onion which were lovely.
All in all I thought the food at the Raudin’s was delicious. You really should try it because it is up there with the best of the town’s restaurants – watch out Krimo’s and Lotus Garden !
T book a table, which are available from 7pm until around 9pm by booking only call, the York Hotel on (01429) 867373.
Leanne English
Food 4 out of 5 stars
Value for money 3 out of 5 stars
(46.245 for two starters, two main courses, two cans of Carling, two bottles of Archers Aqua)
Atmosphere 4 out of 5 stars
Service 4 out of 5 stars
Top Marks for Raudin's Restaurant
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1st March, 2005One of the best-kept dining secrets in the area is Raudin's restaurant located inside the York Hotel, Hartlepool.
Without doubt whenever my husband and I want to eat out in relaxed friendly surroundings and, enjoy food that has been lovingly prepared by a culinary wizard, Raudin's is our number one choice.
A visit to Raudin's results in friendships made forever, because the hotel and restaurant are very much a happy family concern. Daniel's wife Katie and daughters Deborah and Stephanie work front of house making everyone feel very relaxed and welcome.
Although really talented chefs are born not made, Daniel gained his early training near his home at Grenoble in the south of France. He has been a respected chef and manager of some of the most high profile hotels and restaurants in the north of England.
Just browsing over the varied and adventurous menu at Raudin's proves a mouth-watering experience, which really tantalises the taste buds. Daniel is also famous for the huge array of delicious vegetable dishes, which are served with the main course, proving a feast in themselves.
Food served at Raudin's is best described as French with an English interpretation. Although the menu is splashed with sunny Mediterranean dishes which will brighten up the gloomiest English day.
And although food is taken very seriously here, there's plenty of fun and laughter from the Raudin family including Daniel who keeps popping out of the kitchen to have a friendly chat and see everything is just to his guests' liking.
Apart from sizzling mouth-watering steaks and ocean fresh seafood, the more unusual dishes are plentiful on the affordable menu, which stands up against any international hotel.
The truly adventurous diner can try getting their teeth into succulent pan fried crocodile tail, or jump for delight at Raudin's kangaroo steak sensation, served with mango kiwi and guava sauce.
Savour an excellent eclectic wine with your meal and one of the sensational but wickedly puddings, then you'll know you have dined on the very best that a restaurant can offer.
Sunday lunches with delicious roasts served with around ten vegetables, is the norm at Raudin's.
The restaurant is also a firm favourite for that special family celebration, where you need a chef you can trust to ensure the occasion is an absolute success.
So when you want a truly memorable meal try Raudin's, it may be your first visit but certainly not your last. But Sshhh! Don't tell everyone, or else it won't be a secret anymore!
Pauline Suggitt
North East Journalist
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