Southgate Brasserie - Bolsover

The venue is stunning and the atmosphere is beautiful. The food was just average for a work party, I've had better elsewhere. The drinks were ridiculously expensive, it felt like I needed a bank loan to afford them. They are really overcharging for drinks. Because of the high prices, I wouldn't return to this restaurant.

We were so disappointed with the afternoon tea service at Van Dykes. We had to get up on 3 occasions ask for tea milk, the cream tea was below average, a dry bun that looked like a child had made, hard Xmas cake a very small trifle which came with no spoon. I asked the waitress if there was a smaller spoon other than a tea spoon she said no you will have to use your knife. Unacceptable for the price of £27, not once did any member of staff come ask if everything was ok or did we need anything. On the plus side the scone was nice!

We have dined at your restaurant on multiple occasions and have always enjoyed our experience. However, yesterday was a different story for several reasons. Firstly, the quality of the food did not justify the £100 we spent. My falafels were burnt and inedible, and there were too many olives on my platter. My partner's mussels were good, but his swordfish was overcooked and accompanied by an excessive amount of olives, making the meal unbalanced. The service, usually excellent, was lacking, with staff more interested in chatting amongst themselves than attending to customers in the nearly empty restaurant. There was a long wait between our main courses and desserts, with no explanation or apology. Overall, our lunch was disappointing and expensive. We have no plans to return to your restaurant.

First visit to Van Dyks and the setting is lovely, modern but classic and felt a great place for an evening meal. As a first time visit we weren’t clear where to go once we had entered, it was only when someone came over we knew which direction to head to the orangery. The food was good, my parents shared a Chateaubriand steak which they commented wasn’t the best they’d had for the price as it was on the chewy side but was still nice. I had the classic burger and added bacon which was really tasty. We opted for deserts too which were all nice. The service was reasonably good, I couldn’t recall the servers name but he must have been new as whenever he cleared glasses we weren’t asked if we wanted more drinks or anything else they were just taken. The blonde guy that served us sometimes was far more attentive. Overall we had really high hopes based on the appearance and it was definitely very good food just didn’t quite meet expectations for the price but we would return.

Very welcoming and lovely friendly staff at the restaurant reception. Food was gorgeous. Beef bourginon, fish and chips and liver and onions were the selection. Enough room for a dessert but only for two. The only downside which we spoke to the staff about and its work in progress was no clear sign as to where to enter the restaurant and no dropped kerb for wheelchairs. The decor, service and food were outstanding.