Eat, drink and laugh
2026 Restaurants
Welcome to another season of culinary classics as the Order of Gentlemen begins its Ninth Year.
Journey with us as we search for our dining Nirvana. A close group of nine friends who meet (usually) on the last Thursday of the month. Each makes a selection that they hope will provide an unforgettable evening of quality food, great drink and more importantly ‘good craic’.
Accompany us as we travel the length and breadth of Teesside. If you are celebrating a ‘special’ occasion and wonder where to take your ‘special’ someone the Order of Gentlemen will have probably already been there. Let us guide you and help you as we reveal our dining experiences, good and bad!
We begin the season with a return visit to the reigning champions. We get another chance to sample the fantastic food provided by Elif Turkish Restaurant in Norton.
We will begin the evening with a presentation of the Order of Gentlemen Annual Trophy. Well done.
Life – Love – Food – Drink
But not necessarily in that order.
February 2026
Venue: Mary Rowntree Thai Restaurant - Hartlepool
Chosen by: Knowla
The meeting point for predrinks was the Merlin. We had just enough time for a ‘cheeky’ one before the journey to the Headland. Only Sully was missing (again) – same as Mary Rowntree is noted for their soup!! It was Knowla’s choice and expectations were high. John drove and for once he knew where he was going – ish.
The restaurant was bright and we were made to feel very welcome. The drinks selection received a nod of approval as Singha (Thailand’s oldest and premium lager, produced since 1933) and Lucky Buddha (a light, crisp and refreshing beer made with the water from Thousand Island Lake) were selected by the passengers. Heineken 0.0 and was taken by the drivers – cheers lads.
The starters arrived and they were Poh Pia Ped (Duck spring rolls which were lush and warm), next came Tod Man Pla (Thai fish cakes), Pla Mueg Tod (Batter fried Calamari, very tasty) and lastly Gai Satay (Grilled chicken skewers with a peanut sauce).
The consensus from the table was that more Prawn Crackers would have been very acceptable. While we discussed this let down another round of drinks was ordered. The restaurant was quiet which we didn’t mind as the Chef was able to concentrate on our order. The main meals were served staggered which was ok as long as you were one of the first and not waiting till the end. Two had chosen the Pad See Aew (Stir fried rice noodles with egg, garlic, green vegetables and either chicken or duck), three decided on the Lamb Shank (couldn’t find the Thai for Lamb Shank so asked Google – Massaman Gae? This got mixed reviews, two gave it thumbs up, one definitely gave it a thumb down. Other choices were; Beef Panang (it was very tasty but the beef was a bit over chewy which spoilt it), Tod Kateam Priktai (stir fried chicken with garlic and pepper sauce) and lastly Thai Green Curry (spicy coconut sauce laced with aromatic green Chilli paste – delicious)
After another round of drinks we were visited by the Chef, which went down very well.
The service for the evening was first class and the restaurant lived up to its high recommendations, and we had a fantastic dining experience.
Not for me to say but Mary Rowntree will certainly be there or there abouts come the dark voting night of winter.
Thai ££-£££
January 2026
Venue: Elif Turkish Restraunt - Norton
Chosen by: Mark MacDonald
Return visit to the 2025 Winner
We met in the Top House for pre-drinks. The snug wasn’t as snug as it normally was as we couldn’t find the lights, a kind gentleman on his way to the toilet came to our help and in no time at all the ‘banter’ was in full flow.
Sully couldn’t make it and Mark B was at the Newcastle United v PSV Eindhoven game in the Champions League, an acceptable absence we all agreed. So, we were once again riding as the Magnificent Seven.
A two-minute walk across the road took us to the restaurant. We were made to feel very welcome and shown to our table. The atmosphere was light and friendly and most of us already knew what our meal choices would be. It was a case of staying with the meal you had had before and had enjoyed or try something new and risk disappointment. Most went with the meal choice that had won the Elif the trophy last time.
The drinks were ordered, draught Efes for the passengers and soft drinks for the unlucky drivers. The starters arrived in good time and they were; four had gone for the grilled spiced Turkish sausage with garlic dip (really nice) another starter was the pan-fried vegetables topped with goat’s cheese. The last selection was the hot sharing platter of; Turkish sausage, halloumi fries, falafel, muska boregi, mince boregi with olives, garlic dip and sweet chilli (this was excellent).
While we waited for another round of drinks the presentation of the Order of Gentlemen trophy was made. The trophy will be displayed until October, a very worthy winner of this prestigious award.
The main meals arrived and they did not disappoint. The choices were ; the Elif kofte special with the lovely bread, the mixed grill which was cooked to perfection, Lamb chops and the surf and turf (chicken) which was superb. The final three selections were the mixed shish kebab which had a great mix of flavors. The night was superb and got even better when we received a refund on the bill for four very questionable pints of extremely flat Efes lager. Fair play to the staff. Mark (the 2026 selection winner) also received a bottle of wine. No venue has ever won the trophy for two years running ? Who knows ?
Turkish ££-£££
2026 Order of Events
January 2026 - Elif Turkish Restaurant, the 2025 winner!
February 2026 - Chris Knowlson
March 2026 - Don Briggs
April 2026 - Tim Mallon
May 2026 - Ian Sullivan
June 2026 - John Flynn
July 2026 - Simon Pooley
August 2026 - Mark MacDonald
September 2026 - Steve Williams
October 2026 - Mark Blackmore
November 2026 - Voting Night!!
December 2026 - Christmas Drinks
