Forge at Middleton Lodge Estate

O LORDY MAMA! I`m back home from one of the best...no THE best dining experiences of my life. I kid you not peeps. The Forge at Middleton Lodge Estates just before Scotch Corner. I first seen this place when flicking through that Living North Magazine some years ago... and this trip with me and Sian has been about 15 months in the making. I wont go into the whys and wherefores about all that...but this type of thing is right up our street...certainly not everybodys cup of tea. We`d been wondering for AGES...what it was going to be like...was it going to be all Hoity Toity and pretentious ...with Sir & Madam...all that nonsense. Not a bit of it. A warm friendly Welcome and our coats taken---me sporting me Red Girls Blouse, Bowler and (repaired) cane...Sian with a LBD... Ordered a Cocktail at bar and soon after our first likkle "snack " arrived. All the 10 courses are explained in detail whats in them, how they are made and put together...with a heavy influence on produce from the Estate itself...all in a nice friendly and relaxed manner... theres no heads up backsides etc...and honestly...that was SO refreshing. We were then taken into the main dining area... Huge Log fire crackling and popping away...a lovely ambience. Each course was brought out and impeccably presented in and on dishes and plates which matched both the food and the overall feeling of the room. Its a lovely touch how Different Chefs told us about the dishes and how they were made and put together ...otherwise... you really wouldnt have a clue what you were eating. Honestly... the complexity, texture, explosion of taste...hot, warm cold... every sensation was tickled. You`d think.... looking at everything on this Taster Menu...there`d be SOMETHING you didnt like...Nah...Just Nah! Every single morsel was an absolute delight. So picking a few out : The Main Course.... Thirkelby Duck (see menu)... WOW-WEE...all the aspects of this just sat together like a Family of 10 at Christmas...it was STUNNING...really was. Could this get any better we both mused? It did too! The Jerusalem Artichoke & Reuben Blackberry Tart... was genuinely one of the best and unique things I`ve tasted...really was...Not since Jesus did that thing with the Fish n Bread has anybody been so surprised!!! I kept letting out sighs of "Oh...Oh...Oooh....this is marvellous!" 🙂 What a Dish...only recently added I believe. The Cashel Blue--Pickled Walnut-Medlar Birch Sap-Toasted Barley...sounds like a Racehorse Sire.... was dry iced ...so was COLD... the flavours and texture of this were just extraordinary...the barley was almost like popping candy! As I type this...I`m re-living it all 🙂 Oh man ...I could elaborate and wax lyrical on every dish...I really could. Look... this isnt a cheap night out... (not for ordinary folks like me)...it was planned, it was a treat from Sian ..... it was something very special and from the bottom of my Heart... I`d suggest checking the place out... Everything about the place just feels so so right.... I`m not really accustomed to this level of Dining...and YES ... I had my doubts--- but as I sit here now...BASKING in the Glory of those Ten Courses... I feel so so blessed and privileged to have had this experience. Thanks to Sian and I COMMEND Jake Jones and his Staff for giving us this wonderful night out. Grate Denini 3rd Earl of Harte le Pool

Couldn’t complain about Forge @ Middleton lodge but absolutely average. We went for the 6 course menu and it was a good price at £70 with the option of £10 extra for one extra course but I didn’t opt for this. Each course was presented well and by good staff but the portion size and flavours I just found boring and uninspired. The make a big point of saying everything is from the estate and they send something from the walled garden off to be made into a beer etc etc all very good but ultimately bland taste and looks pretty with the flowers on the top but ? The decor is very average too, lovely for the spa and lunch but feels very industrial in the evening and quite plain. I’m only reviewing because all the other are like wow what an experience etc etc but they can’t have eaten in many other restaurants. By all means try it as it’s one of only two restaurants on the “Estate” but don’t make a special journey.

A truly amazing 10 course tasting menu! It’s full of fresh and seasonal flavours that dances on your tongue! We love that produce has been sourced from their vast estate and gardens, and the menu changes seasonally! Each course was introduced by the chefs and some finished off at the table. The front of house staff were very welcoming and friendly, with the right speed between each course!

Truly special and a meal to remember. Obviously not cheap but for those occasions when cost isn't too much of an issue then the Forge is an amazing experience. Who knew beetroot and blackberry together would be so good!

Wow, what a gem. Thoughtfully designed and every detail taken care of. The food was spectacular. Lovely touch having the chef come out to explain each dish. The service matched the ambiance of the location - polished yet friendly. Our waitress was absolutely super (lady with black hair, didn’t catch her name). We regularly have tasting menus in London and this blew them out of the water in terms of service, presentation and setting. Thank you. We will be back, often!

Back again and it never disappoints. This is a wonderful place to stay and enjoy life. The staff are great. The food and accommodation are outstanding.

Of the 6 Michelin starred meals and 4 Michelin listed or AA rosetted meals I have had this year this was by far the tastiest. Excellent tasting menu full of flavour throughout. Loved the crab tartlet, tasty venison with plate licking worthy sauce. I think it deserves a full Michelin star to go alongside the green one.

They deserve a full star. Great value and incredible food - tasting menu, really tasty and decent value. We recently went to the angel at Hetton (top 40) and this place was as tasty. Excellent night and look forward to returning soon.