If you haven’t heard someone mention padel in the last six months, then you must have been living under a rock.
Everyday life now seems to be bombarded by announcements of new courts, unending TikTok reels, or Instagram stories of a post-padel matchas and a sugar-dusted cruffin (yes that’s a thing).
But despite the rapid rise of the now undeniably cool sport, I am yet to give it a go.
I’m too loyal to squash and don’t think it would have the same results (those results being pouring with sweat, looking like I’ve been hit by a bus).
But on a warm summer night last Friday, at a restaurant that felt like I was truly in the middle of the countryside, I found myself considering it.
In the middle of nowhere… at Kip and Nook (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
That’s because I was at Alberto’s Farmhouse, just ten minutes outside the centre of Darlington. It’s only been open a month, but much like padel, it’s creating quite the buzz.
The restaurant is located at a place you may well have heard of: Kip and Nook.
The boutique hotel at Pinkney Carr Farm is known for its weekend breaks in luxury cabins and pitches alongside food spot The Workshop and a padel court.
It must have been making waves on TikTok as well as my girlfriend Libby flagged it a couple of weeks ago (several times) as a place she desperately wanted to visit.
On Friday, we decided to take the drive up to Kip and Nook to give Alberto’s a try.
And we most certainly did not regret it.
Driving down a long gravel road and the only things in sight were sweeping fields, forests, and a converted farmhouse.
The signs for Alberto’s were low profile so we did find it a challenge to locate it initially, as we didn’t know whether it was part of the existing Kip and Nook building or not.
Kip and Nook (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
And after scooting past a lively wedding crowd and a very cool Lane 7-esque bar and pool area, we found ourselves down a corridor and heading into Alberto’s at the back.
The restaurant is simply stunning.
And, with a little help from the sun and open fields, you were transported to what felt like an Italian barn with a huge glass window and tall ceilings really opening up the space.
Eating out at Alberto’s Farmhouse at Kip and Nook (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
The decor was equally as luxurious, with exposed brick, plush green booths, and an olive-coloured tiled bar, adding to the grandeur of the space.
The menu was clear and simple – in my experience a sign of a good meal – with only four pastas, four pizzas, and three other mains featured.
And yet, despite it being on the smaller side, we spent quite a while deciding what to go for.
Eating out at Alberto’s Farmhouse at Kip and Nook (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
For starters, Libby went for some focaccia and olive oil (£5) while I tried the king prawn, fennel, and rocket salad (£14).
I was surprised – and actually even more pleased – when it came out, as it was more of a crispy toasted ciabatta with prawns and some rocket on top.
Eating out at Alberto’s Farmhouse at Kip and Nook (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
The prawns were tasty, juicy, and plentiful, and I couldn’t get enough of the lashings of the delicious orange sauce. Both the fennel and rocket were also fresh and sweet.
Libby said that, while the focaccia was a simple option, she was pleasantly surprised.
It was more crispy than soft, which she thought was a positive, and said the sea salt on top was a nice touch.
I then decided to put my crippling acid reflux to one side and went for the nduja and roasted red pepper pizza (£15) with a burrata added in the middle (an extra £5).
Full marks for the pizza dough, which was thick and cooked to perfection with the crusts having just the right level of crisp to them.
Eating out at Alberto’s Farmhouse at Kip and Nook (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
The sauce, cheese, and nduja were all delicious, with the pizza having a nice kick without the heat blinding your senses.
The peppers were tasty, but I would have liked them a little more well done and thinly sliced, although that’s just personal preference and potentially my inner fussy eater creeping through.
The burrata was creamy and nicely combatted the spice, but I would’ve liked more.
Eating out at Alberto’s Farmhouse at Kip and Nook (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Libby tried the wild mushroom and truffle tagliatelle (£18) which she said was as good as one she had eaten in Lake Garda in Italy.
She said the pasta was fresh and cooked to a very high standard, with the creamy and rich sauce being a highlight beside the earthy wild mushrooms that were packed full of flavour.
The portions were great on both courses, meaning we were too full for dessert.
That said, much to my lack of surprise Libby decided to try a couple of fancy cocktails (I drew the short straw as the designated driver).
She went for the hugo spritz (£11) which featured elderflower liqueur, prosecco, soda, mint, and lime, and a sicilian margarita (£12) featuring tequila, blood orange, juice, and Aperol.
Libby normally has hugo spritz coursing through her veins and enjoyed it here but actually preferred the sicilian margarita, which she said was refreshing – and definitely strong – but the Aperol didn’t overpower.
I think she now wants a holiday to Sicily, so I will soon be launching a Go Fund Me.
We walked out of Alberto’s happy, full, and with a handshake from one of the staff thanking us for coming along.
Eating out at Alberto’s Farmhouse at Kip and Nook (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
It is easily one of the best restaurants I have reviewed for our eating out column – with the food, service, and atmosphere all second to none.
Since we returned home we’ve already planned to go back; I think Libby, in her excitement, might have suggested it to at least three or four different people since.
Although I doubt I’ll go play padel on a stomach full of Italian. Another reason to go I guess!
I don’t think it’ll be long before we’re back.
Libby can drive this time…
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Alberto’s Farmhouse, Kip & Nook
Pinkney Carr Farm, Darlington DL2 2RD
Open Thursday to Sunday from 5pm
Ratings (out of ten): Food quality 9 Surroundings 10 Service 9 Value for money 9
Dining and Cooking