By Michael Grahamslaw
If Lewis Carroll had dreamt up a culinary adventure instead of a literary one, it might have looked something like The Rabbit Hole in Durham.
Tucked away on the city’s Hallgarth Street, this vintage-chic restaurant offers an Asian fusion experience that is as whimsical and fulfilling as its name might suggest.
I first visited The Rabbit Hole eight years ago with my daughter Holly who at that time was a student at Durham University. We had the most marvellous meal and I vowed to return in the future.
In true Carrollian style, we’ve lost track of time since then, but on a beautiful spring day with my Wife Lisa, an octennial visit proved too much to resist.
Walking into The Rabbit Hole feels like stepping into a different era-one where velvet drapes, dim lighting, and jazzinfused elegance provide the backdrop to an evening of food which really stirs the senses.
The Rabbit Hole is part of a distinguished group of restaurants that includes the fabulous Thai eatery Zen, the award winning burger joint Tango and Whitechurch, which I reviewed on these pages early in 2024.
Despite dining early on a Saturday night, lively chatter and glass clinking pervaded the air, as the dining area exuded a real warm glow: bettered only by the friendliest of welcomes. We were promptly shown to a lovely, spacious table, setting the tone for what would be an evening eight years in the making.
The restaurant specialises in Asian fusion cuisine, with an emphasis on dim sum and Cantonese-inspired dishes. The menu is a carefully curated with that transport diners across the culinary outposts of China, Japan and Korea.
Under starter’s orders, I kicked off with crispy prawn toasties with a soy dipping sauce while Lisa enjoyed spring rolls: crisp golden parcels packed with fresh vegetables and served with plum ketchup.
Following on, Lisa picked out a real pearler with the sizzling Cantonese-style beef: tender chunky sliced fillet steak with wok glazed sliced sweet onions.
Across the table, I enjoyed the classic Chinese curry with turmeric, Chinese five spice, chopped onion and green pea. This was served with a choice of slow poached chicken fillets or jumbo king prawns – the latter of which proving a real oriental treat.
Of course, this was accompanied by Tiger beer for me (when in Rome) and a couple of very good glasses of Pinot Grigio for Lisa.
With a lively ambience, expertly crafted dishes and top notch service, The Rabbit Hole is a real destination venue. Whether you’re an Asian food fanatic or simply looking for a night out with a bit of a difference, this culinary wonderland is well worth a visit.
For more information, visit www.therabbitholedurham.co.uk
