The Lime Kiln Gastropub

There has been a pub on this spot for at least two centuries but the last establishment shut in 2010 and the property has been empty and unused since … until two local entrepreneurs bought it and completely renovated and remodelled the building to establish one of the best restaurants/​gastro pubs in the North East.
The food is top notch with a great selection of local produce to chose from. The beef is excellent and sweet potato fries are amazing.
There is a great selection of wines and beers and very good friendly service.
The only problem is getting a table at the weekend it is that popular.
Full disclosure: This is my local and I love it.

Being our first visit we didn’t know if it was open, the sign outside said closed Mondays & Tuesdays but tried the door anyway. We waited to be seated for over 10 minutes and no one came to us at all so we decided to sit at an empty table. That did it, the waiter came over immediately saying we couldn’t sit there as it was reserved although there was no sign on the table, we pointed out how long we had been waiting and he said «well I was busy with a customer» irately and very unfriendly. He said we could sit somewhere else, we said no thank you that we would go elsewhere. We wont be going back customer service is absolutely awful terrible atmosphere.

I think 3.5 stars would be a fair rating for The Lime Kiln. The experience is pretty good without ever blowing your mind. As it’s a new restaurant to the area (apparently the same owner and chef from the Eastern Seaboard) it has been hard to get reservations. However the staff were very accommodating and tried their best to fit our party of six in.
The restaurant itself is supercool and and modern. They have done a great job of renovating and clearly have spent a lot of money on the décor. There is plenty of staff who are always available and very friendly. We ordered the mussels and wings to start. The mussels were great especially as they are locally sourced from Carlingford Lough. The wings were a little disappointing– we got the bbq and «hot n spciy» flavors which were not hot nor spicy. I ordered the combo special of steak and ribs for my main which was really good! The food is reasonably priced for what you get. I would go back to try again.

We have tried twice to get in before without a booking and been turned away because it’s so busy. Finally got a table today but only in the bar no tables free in the restaraunt. That said walking through the restaurant to the bar there did seem to be a few tables free. Anyway we waited 15 minutes before anyone came to take our order only after the family that arrived five minutes after us were served first. The bar menu is nice, I ordered a large portion of Ribs that turned out to be anything but large and were no better than something you would pick up in a Supermarket. They were served on a very strange combination of black beans and pineapple which looked terrible and added nothing to the dish. My wife ordered the pulled pork and was happy with it. We ordered pizza for the kids which was fresh but under cooked. All that said it wasn’t bad value for money but having wanted to try The Lime Kiln since it opened I wouldn’t rush back.