Yesterday (3rd March 2012) My husband and I did the rare thing of going out to eat. As I am a particularly good cook and the general cost of eating out is so high, it is as mentioned a rare event and I am particularly hard to please. We had trawled lots of sites on the internet and the local, WORD (What's on round Darlington) but had still not decided on where to eat so we just jumped in the car and drove towards the A66. We had passed and dismissed several establishments and almost entered one, when due to roadworks on the aforementioned road we were diverted. It was then that my husband mentioned many moons ago he had had a meal at The Talbot with his then work. Being fed up then, or not as the case was I agreed we would go. I was very pleasantly surprised when we entered the lovely little village of Bishopton. The Talbot sits literally on the roadside and from the outside looked clean and reasonably well kept. On entering the building it was warm and clean, well lit and pleasing to the eye. We were a little late due to the diversions, with food being served until about 2 O'clock we were pushing it a little, however a very nice gentleman approached us when we removed a printed menu from the holder on the bar and presented us with the other menus so we had the full choice of options. My husband purchased a white wine for myself and a coke for himself, no real shock at the price, the usual you expect for the same everywhere. We sat in the bar area and perused the menu deciding on the 2 course special at £16.95 (I think). The waiter was to set up a table for 2 for us and took the order for the first course. I had the hot seafood platter of cod goujons, scampi, fishcake, tempura prawns and salad served with chips and Chris had the Steak and ale pie. We were seated at our table and left with some delicious warm bread whilst awaiting our meal. My wine and Chris's coke had been carried to the table by Danielle who with Christopher served us well throughout. The decor is warm and clean and very relaxing, the tables were well dressed with proper table linen and high quality paper napkins which could be mistaken for linen at first touch. There were at least 7 parties eating and all seemed to be very happy. The food was well presented with my platter having a lovely dipping sauce and a tartare sauce as well as the usual lemon. The little mixed salad that the salmon fishcake sat on was topped with samphire and was well cooked, the chips in the bucket were golden and very tasty the cod goujons were soft with a crispy batter and the tempura on the prawns was light and all seasoned well enough not to require the condiments. Chris's steak and ale pie he said was delicious with plenty of well cooked and tender beef, a separate portion of gravy in addition to that under the light pastry, accompanied with creamed cabbage which he stated was delicious and carrots, he also had the side bucket of chips. The service was attentive without being obtrusive, the background music was exactly that and did not overpower conversation. When finished my gorgeous dish I asked for a rest prior to my dessert and Christopher obliged without question and did not hurry me despite it being quite late. I usually have dessert envy and initially I thought that I may have when I saw a gentleman served with chocolate fudge cake but when my walnut and pear tart arrived I forgot any doubts as to my choice. It was fantastic. The pastry was light, the crunch of the walnuts fabulous, the pear was just soft enough and it was well balanced, the pistacio ice cream served on a little shortbread biscuit which prevented it from melting on the warm plate was to die for and again balanced well with the tart and the little toffee filligree added another dimention. Chris had the lemon posset and it was silky smooth and just the right amount of lemon sharpness, ( I know because I had a mouthfull !) I asked for a brandy at the end of my meal, actually I asked for a Courvoiser, This was brought to me in a brandy glass placed over a glass of hot water to bring it to the correct temperature and was another of the little nuances that made us feel we were being well looked after. The whole 2 course meal with 2 very large glasses of wine, 2 cokes and a brandy came to under £50. My compliments to the chef and to our waiter and waitress, Danielle and Christopher. We will most certainly be visiting again. Many thanks read more