Harden's says
Chef Ruari Mackay (who worked with Terry Laybourne at Jesmond Dene), along with Gemma Robinson and Craig Lappin-Smith, launched a £100,000 crowdfunding bid in order to open "Durham’s first tasting menu restaurant" in late summer 2022.
Harden's survey result
Summary
A “great tasting menu which changes every six weeks” delivered by staff who are “welcoming and helpful” all “at a great price” is helping dispel the image of this ancient varsity town as a culinary wasteground. Billed, when it opened, in 2022 as ‘Durham’s first tasting menu restaurant’, chef Ruari MacKay – with collaborators Gemma Robinson and Craig Lappin-Smith – raised £100,000 from crowd-funding to launch this simply decorated newcomer, in a courtyard just over the river from the ancient city centre. The aim was to ‘make tasting menus more affordable, accessible and fun’ which they do here at dinner with a six-course selection for £49 per person (three courses at lunch are £27 per person).
Summary
Chef Ruari MacKay (former head chef of the city’s now defunct Bistro 21) – with collaborators Gemma Robinson and Craig Lappin-Smith – raised £100,000 from crowd-funding to launch this simply decorated newcomer, which launched in late 2022, in a courtyard just over the river from the ancient city centre. The only option is a six-course tasting menu: feedback is still limited but says that “overall for the price it’s excellent, and served by friendly staff”.
Summary
Chef Ruari Mackay (who worked with Terry Laybourne at Jesmond Dene), along with Gemma Robinson and Craig Lappin-Smith, launched a £100,000 crowdfunding bid in order to open this mid 2022 newcomer, billed as ‘Durham’s first tasting menu restaurant’. It offers a 6-course tasting menu (also with a vegetarian alternative). Reports please!
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Have you eaten at Coarse?
Reform Place, North Road, Durham, DH1 4RZ
Coarse Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Terrific food. Very slow (initially) then rushed (towards end) service. Great value "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £27.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 49.00 | Always available | 6 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £25.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
Reform Place, North Road, Durham, DH1 4RZ
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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