The Water House, Durham

*Review from 2016, edited to add photos bc this is still the greatest place I ate in all the UK* I ended up here by chance because I wandered over to William Hedley down the street, and they quit serving food at 5pm lol what ? So I came out looking discouraged, and a random local guy came up to me and said follow me, I know a place with similar food that is amazing, and he walked me to Waterhouse. It was a Sunday and I had something that's a special on Sunday called "Lentil Roast" - basically a vegetarian meatloaf and it was literally the best thing I have ever eaten. I have to say my opinion of the food in the UK was not that high (Americans, right ? Lol) but this lentil roast.. it blew me away. we have nothing like that in the US (I can't even find someone who has heard of it) and I have been trying to recreate the recipe for months! I found it pretty cheap and the staff was absolutely wonderful. you cant get service like this in the US!! Being an American I left a huge tip, and they ran after me saying I wasn't allowed to tip them.( I don't understand this at all lol) I really wanted to! I don't know if they still serve it, but the meal was called "Lentil Roast Sunday Club Meal" with red pepper/carrot/mushroom/Pumpkin Seeds. It had cheese on top, but you could probably omit that if vegan. They were VERY accomodating. The actual CHEF (not a waiter) even ran out and told me I couldnt have the specific dressing I asked for on my salad because it had fish in it and I had said I was vegetarian! I was very grateful for that! Again, that kind of service and level of caring is so rare!!