The Elephant Chinese buffet, Durham

looby75

You used to be able to get to it through a door upstairs in Waterstones, but I don't know if they still have it open. I think I remember someone telling me waterstones had put a stop to it for "security reasons"

I've only ever been in walkabout once, we had to wait for almost an hour for our food and when we complained we were told "well it's lunch time what do you expect" !! so I've never been back, actually thinking about it we don't have much luck eating out through the day time LOL

durham_girl

That place in Silver Street is called Treats - never been in but I've heard good things about it. The new coffee shop opposite Pizza Hut is called Esquires and the Hot Chocolate in there is gorgeous!! I think they've got big screen TVs in the upstairs aswell There is another nice place hidden in Saddle Street - it's sandwiced between Greggs and East, up a little alley. Its called Vennels and it great, nice food, nice atmosphere. I work in Whittards and we always point people in their direction if they're looking for a coffee!!

lil_me

I've been to that one before and not had any problems but was late on a night and had no children with us. No intention of taking them there now either if that is what service you get, and I won't be going there without them after reading about the horrible service you received.

Try the one at the top of the street much nicer

I can't understand the logic with the rice and noodles rules as they are cheap things which you would guess they would encourage you to have.

looby75

Durham_girl, thanks for the tip about the new place and the hot chocolate, I love costas hot chocolate but it's so expensive. What are the prices like in the new place?

lil_me, a friend had booked a table there for her birthday next week, there were going to be about 20 people going paying the evening prices, and having drinks as well. They were probably going to spend in excess of £300 (they know how to drink lol) but after we told her about the way we were treated on Wed she's phoned up to cancel the booking and told them she had read a bad review on the internet about them LOL So you aren't the only one who isn't planning to go back there in the future.

durham_girl

I think it's about the same as Costa's - they're not cheap, but well worth it, especially on a cold day!

looby75

durham_girl wrote:

I think it's about the same as Costa's - they're not cheap, but well worth it, especially on a cold day!

worth it for a treat then I'll try it next time I'm tempted for a chocolate splurge.

rkuk

Is Vennels still runnign is it? I heard it was closed down. Maybe it's under new management? or perhaps the person that told me was talkin out their a$$? lol

All these local people - we should meet! heh....how bout the elephant, all you can eat?....;) :rotfl:

surfcat

rkuk wrote:

Is Vennels still runnign is it? I heard it was closed down. Maybe it's under new management? or perhaps the person that told me was talkin out their a$$? lol

All these local people - we should meet! heh....how bout the elephant, all you can eat?....;) :rotfl:

Was in Waterstones the other day and Vennels is still there, as is the gap to get to it from Waterstones.

jamescredmond

pretty atrocious. if anyone removed my childrens' food WHILST THEY WERE EATING I'd cause a diplomatic incident. as for 'payment in one go' I'd inform them that the choice of payment was in my gift, not theirs. take it or leave it.
thanks for the warning. next time I'm in durham I'll make a point of avoiding.

looby75

rkuk wrote:

All these local people - we should meet! heh....how bout the elephant, all you can eat?....;) :rotfl:

:rotfl: :rotfl: Only if you particularly like being shown up in the middle of a restaurant by it's manager lol