Santoro - Stockton-on-Tees

We had a wonderful lunch and it was a fantastic way to spend the afternoon. The food and service were excellent! My friends and I all loved the lunch special menu which we thought was great value for money.

Firstly the wine we ordered was out of stock . When we ordered a replacement, they brought the wrong one ! The starters and mains were very nice indeed . We asked for a 10 minute break before dessert , and 3 times we were approached to order . We ordered desserts and coffees , and bizarrely the coffees were brought first . The food was very nice, but the staff are not professional at all.

Visited tonight with my husband. 11th August. We had booked a table for 6:30pm but arrived early and they happily accommodated us. We ordered calamari and cheese soufflé for starters. The cheese soufflé was lovely, nice and fluffy and light but the calamari was very poor. It was breaded and very chewy. You could tell it was bought in as every piece was exactly the same size and shape inside. When the waiter came we did say the soufflé was lovely, an mentioned the calamari wasn’t very nice. He did say that it was made there and it was fresh. I definitely think that was incorrect. It was very poor. The main course came and it was lamb cutlets and I ordered seabass. Presentation was very good. When our order was taken the waitress didn’t ask how we would like the lamb cooked but we were lucky that it came out perfect. The seabass was ok. I wasn’t overly impressed though. The king prawns that came with it were a bit salty. There was nothing bad about it but it was nothing to rave about. It was ok. The strange thing was when our main course came the food was just put down and the waitress walked away without offering us condiments or any other drinks etc. we were served a small bowl with 5 Italian potatoes in and one small salad between us! At £30 for the lamb and over £20 for the sea bass I thought that was a bit pricey for hardly anything to accompany the main. The waitress came and took our plates. She didn’t ask if we wanted desserts or coffee. Actually no one did. We sat for over 30 mins and nobody came back to us. In the end we had to get up and go to the bar and ask for the bill. Which was £74.00. I don’t mind paying that if I think it’s worth it but it really wasn’t. If the service was above and beyond I would still be happy to pay, but again it wasn’t. I really don’t like leaving bad reviews but it’s not cheap to eat out anymore, and it would be great if we got what we paid for, even good service would’ve made my visit a lot different. Yes I saw they were busy. The had a party of 30 in, but there was plenty of waiting staff. I would definitely have the staff train more in customer service. Sad to say I won’t be going back.the total bill was £74, that was for calamari, cheese soufflé, lamb cutlets and seabass. With 1 Diet Coke and 2 glasses of tap water.

Customer service was ok, unexperienced staff, atmosphere was like being in someone’s home in the 70’s which was a bit off putting, had to wait a while before we were given menus, not given drinks menu. Ordered home made patè, was ok. Partner got garlic mushrooms, which should of said garlic mushroom soup, which was too overpowering in garlic. For main I got a pepperoni pizza, pretty basic, nothing wow, oily as well, not just the natural oils from the pepperoni either. Partner got aubergine bake, where it was hot but the aubergine was raw, don’t know how that I doable but somehow was managed. Didn’t stay for dessert, wanted to get away from the boring atmosphere, better restaurants in yarm, but if your easily pleased and basic then yeah probs be good for you.

The food and service were excellent. I don't mind paying a little extra for good quality, and this restaurant offers high-quality food at a reasonable price. Marco was amazing and really added to our evening with his friendly service and sense of humor. It was our 5-year wedding anniversary dinner and we will always remember it. We will definitely return to this restaurant. I highly recommend it.