Dining Out – The White Horse at Woolley Moor
Set in what can only be described as the most stunning Derbyshire scenery, with rolling hills and verdant grasslands, The White Horse with rooms combines all this with excellent food. Owned for the last 17 years by David and Melanie, they have gradually developed this lovely old Inn into, in my opinion, one of the best relaxed places to eat in Derbyshire, earning along the way consecutive AA rosettes. 8 beautifully appointed rooms make the most of the setting and snuggle under a roof of wildflowers. This is a lovely place for a short break. But we were here to dine. The atmosphere here is both relaxed and friendly as well as being efficient. Sitting in the comfortable leather sofa by the log burner, we ordered drinks while we made our selections from the menu. The team of experienced chefs led by head chef Daniel Orwin, each bring their own favourite dishes to the menu which means it is varied and innovative. It offers nibbles, starters, mains and a grill section, which changes with the season. Wedges of warm bread with salted and pesto butter arrived to nibble on just providing a relaxed and sociable start. Persuading my husband to be a little more adventurous than usual, he ordered sticky, chilli beef with Asian slaw to start and enthused over the spicy strips of beef in tempura batter, the sweet sauce and fresh slaw a great balance. For me it was the mushroom arancini sitting in a rich lemon and chive beurre blanc, a crisp outer shell and perfectly cooked mushroom risotto within. What is there not to love! From the Specials Menu, it was the right time of year for my husband to choose the oven roasted lamb rump and lamb shoulder served shredded and encased in rich pastry, accompanied by a selection of fresh seasonal vegetables. A lamb jus brought all the flavours together with the added depth of ‘hen of the wood’ mushrooms, much prized by chefs for their meaty texture as well as their health properties. A dish with loads of flavour and perfect on a wet, cold and windy evening. My preference was for a fish dish, and I found the oven roasted plaice was white, succulent and flaky. The scallop mouse was very subtle, and the crisp Palma ham added a saltiness. A lighter dish with a rich sauce. We had taken our time over the meal enjoying each mouthful and taking the time to chat and enjoy the evening after the rush of the day. Consequently, we had room for deserts which were imaginative and seasonal, just as we would expect from these accomplished chefs. My choice was the Raspberry sorbet, a clean fresh note to finish on. My husbands egg custard with rhubarb sorbet was a modern take on a traditional dish and was proving very popular. I find recently that I’m too often disappointed by the food when we have an evening out, and it’s the company I enjoy most. However our meal at the White Horse was delightful and I can honestly say each dish delivered everything it promised…… the company wasn’t bad either! Our thanks to David, Melanie and their team for a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and over the years for providing such a consistently good place to enjoy an evening out. You may also be pleased as I was, to learn that a lunchtime menu is now available, just right for a midweek treat. Head to their website for up-to-date details. www.the whitehorsewoolleymoor.co.uk 00
Dining at Fairways Chevin Golf Club
It was a very different day when we arrived at Fairways, Chevin Golf Club from over a year ago, the bright sunshine was replaced with a soft grey mizzle, but driving down the lane, the beautiful landscape that opened up still brought a smile to my face. We had last visited for a summer lunch here, enjoying the blue skies as we sat in the sunny conservatory. This time, over eighteen months later, it was Autumn and the immaculate curves of the greens, punctuated by trees in their differing stages of changing colours was equally captivating against the gentle wash of a grey sky. Our lunch had been memorable, as it was Tom, a young, talented chef who had created and cooked for us previously. Tom, it must be said, is still young and has created an extensive function menu which we were privileged to be one of the first to enjoy. To set the scene though I need to tell you that Fairways, Chevin Golf Club is open to everyone, that is members and non-members and the welcome as you walk through the door is extremely welcoming and warm. There are plenty of areas where you can choose to sit and have pre-diner drinks and the conservatory dining is light, spacious and as I said, has a beautiful aspect. Hollie, the manager has a contagious warmth, and her staff are polite, efficient and helpful so it was lovely to be greeted by her again. Drinks in hand, our starters were served, both fish based. Elegant in its presentation and garnished with charred lemon and asparagus spears, my lightly poached fillet of salmon was surrounded in the most delicious lobster bisque, intensely rich and smooth, it was topped with a ravioli parcel filled with white lobster meat. This was perfectly partnered by a langoustine which nicely contributed a change of texture. I was intrigued by the description on the menu of my husbands ‘Cod quiche Lorraine’, but the soft and sweetly roasted onions which filled the pastry case, salty bacon lardons and deep yellow confit egg yolk formed the quiche on which sat a piece of cod smothered in a light and bubbly white wine sauce, topped with caviar and chive emulsion. Very creative and delicious. Moving on to our main courses, a butternut squash puree formed the base for my duck breast, slowly roasted with a glazed skin, extremely tender and not overly fatty. A crisp pastry tart was filled with shredded duck leg and topped with finely sliced baby red grapes. The red wine jus stopped the dish becoming dry and tied all the flavours together beautifully. A piece of puffed crackling crisp dusted with five spice added crunch and just a hint of cinnamon to compliment the tartlet flavours. Lamb was the theme for my husbands main, a herb crusted rack of lamb, pink and succulent, a mini shepherd’s pie topped with smooth, piped, thyme infused mash and a croquet of lamb dusted in breadcrumbs and herbs. Pea puree and glazed heritage carrots with a rich minty jus complemented each aspect of the dish. This was served with a white bread bun made with rendered lamb fat and topped with a mixed herb crumb, meant for dipping and soaking up all that leftover sauce. The first mention of apple crumble and my husband is straight there, but as you would expect from this creative chef there was a twist. A soft apple and white chocolate mousse was dipped in a fine green mirror glaze to create the illusion of a perfect green apple, and at its heart was soft pureed apple, the whole picture sat on a bed of crumbed shortcake, wrapped in a white chocolate collar. What an imagination to create such a delicious illusion. Not to be out done, my coconut mousse, surrounded by flakes of coconut, biscuit crumb and cubes of coconut sponge sat in a dark chocolate shell. Passion fruit was a sharp addition and the malibu granita melted slowly in your mouth. A honeycomb tuile and tempered ‘Fairways’ logos really emphasise the attention to detail in all these dishes. This had been a dining experience on a whole new level. Each dish well thought through, where no ingredient was included that didn’t bring something special to each dish, nothing too overpowering and nothing without its own characteristics. Tom is an outstanding young chef and although he pushes the boundaries, he also understands ingredients that traditionally complement each other and uses these to their strength. Tom’s skills also lie in his ability to train and relate to his own team of young chefs in his kitchen, and to mentor, influence and encourage them in these skill sets. What a delightful dining experience this had been. Fairway’s is at Chevin Golf Club, as you turn off the main A6 through Duffield on to Avenue Road where very quickly you’ll see Golf Lane, this takes you to the Fairways Restaurant. Our thanks to everyone at Fairway’s and for the lovely welcome we received. 00
Dining Out – Meynell Langley Gardens & Tea Rooms
Which ever way your journey takes you, the approach to Meynell Langley Nursery is through the most pleasant, verdant, typically English countryside that you could wish for. Meandering down twisting country lanes you could imagine yourself back in the days of the grand country house, where kitchens were supplied with produce, lovingly cultivated in the shelter of walled gardens run by gardeners with years of experience at their fingertips. It’s no surprise therefore that when you drive down the lane to Meynell Langley Nursery that you are already feeling more relaxed. The pine wood lodge of the Tea Rooms is warm and inviting and on cooler days the log burning stove provides a welcome warmth. Friendly staff are soon on hand to help, and once you have chosen your table you can look through their varied menu. Lunches range from sandwiches and toasties to hot food and are served to your table. As a regular visitor here I always enjoy the home-made quiche served with a fresh salad, crisps and coleslaw, although this particular day I decided to try the fish platter. This had generous portions of smoked salmon, prawns and mackerel. Served with gherkins, salad and chunks of bread it was a lovely summer lunch. My husband chose the home-made lasagne, served in an individual dish with salad, crisps and coleslaw, this seems to be his favourite which I think speaks for itself. You can also enjoy an ‘afternoon tea’ of finger sandwiches, a selection of hand-made cakes, fruit scone with jam and clotted cream all served freshly with tea or filter coffee (but you’ll need to book). At the bar there are a delicious array of home-made cakes including many gluten free (which makes a refreshing change) to choose from. These include old favourites along with some interesting new ones. Taking our time over a cake, fresh coffee and cup of tea, we saw some friends whom we hadn’t seen for 6 years, so it was an added treat to catch up with their news. There is such a lovely atmosphere here, it’s difficult to put into words but it draws me back time and time again……..oh, and the nursery too where you can still get proper horticultural advice which is priceless. I’m off to choose a tree now, ‘another says my husband’ but I’m only doing my bit for the environment!!! My thanks to Karen and her staff for another lovely lunch; always consistent, always relaxing. Tea Room open times are weekdays10-4.30 (summer), 10-4 (winter) Sundays 10-4. Nursery open times are weekdays 9-5 (Sunday 10-4) 00
Dining In Derbyshire – Darley’s
Darley Abbey is a mill village just over a mile from the centre of Derby, on the bank of the river Derwent. On the other bank sits an area of historic, industrial heritage now part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site. Approached from Alfreton Road, you turn along Haslams Lane and pass the Derby Rugby ground on your left before entering the heart of the mills area. The well-preserved buildings have changed little since the 1800s and so the sense of history here is palpable. Today many of the buildings have been re-purposed to focus on retail and relaxation. It was a beautiful summer evening and we were here to enjoy the pleasures of dining at Darleys Fine Dining Restaurant. With a great reputation, Darleys are in the 2022 Michelin Guide, have AA Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence 2022 and Tripadvisor Traveller’s choice Award 2022. The restaurant has views over the river and weir, and most of the tables enjoy this aspect. Taking advantage of its position, a decked area is perfectly situated to make the most of cocktails on a warm evening. The decor is modern but tasteful giving diners plenty of room. We received a friendly greeting and were quickly seated so that with chilled, crisp Chardonnay in hand we could take our time over the menu. My husband and I have very different tastes and yet I could easily predict his order, and knowing my love of fish, he could predict mine. Thankfully the menu isn’t extensive so you can have confidence that everything is freshly prepared, and ingredients are genuinely seasonal. They also care well for vegetarians. Chef’s amuse-bouche was served with butter and freshly baked sourdough and I detected a hint of caraway from the mix of seeds, this accompanied a tartlet filled with Ox tongue , peas and horseradish, a nice appetiser. The chalk stream trout, my choice for starter, was cubes of cured pink trout, delicately flavoured in a rich crab bisque with portions of melon and caviar. The hit of tangy lemon came through the fresh, clean flavours. My husband chose the Isle of Wight Tomatoes, in a ricotta sauce with slices of young courgette, baby basil leaves and crunchy smoked almond which added texture. Perfect for a warm evening. Pan-fried Cornish cod followed for me. It’s ages since I enjoyed such a beautiful piece of fish. White, fresh and perfectly cooked. The crisp samphire added a saltiness to the small potatoes and kohlrabi, and the mussel velouté had me reaching for my spoon to savour every drop. My husband preferring beef, ordered the short rib of beef. Although the waitress said this would be slightly rare, it was tender and moist without being pink. Served with layers of potato, a healthy portion of kimchi ketchup, kale and in its own juice, the beef really stood out as hero. Desserts were easy to choose from, and to be honest I could have had any… or even all of them! But the honey panna cotta won out, with a hint of lemon and spoonful of caramel buried within, it was picture perfect, a clean not overly sweet end to our meal. With a hot cup of fresh coffee, we drifted our way to the end of the evening. Darleys describe themselves as a fine dining restaurant, serving modern and European dishes. The chef and his team clearly have a set vision for the food on offer here which would sit equally well amongst some of London’s best restaurants. The setting is lovely and adds to the ambiance. The service is both friendly, efficient and courteous. The wine list is reasonably priced, with a good choice of cocktails… and the food, well it speaks for itself, beautifully presented using interesting seasonal ingredients, but not so unusual that it takes you out of your comfort zone. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and look forward to returning soon. 00
Dining Out – The Cobbled Street Cafe, Belper
One of my lasting childhood memories is of me and my mum, meeting my grandmother every Saturday morning in an upstairs cafe in Chesterfield. We would happily queue on the stairs until a table became available and order our milky coffee and delicious toasted teacake. Time has moved on and the smell of freshly roasted beans and smooth rich flavours of quality ground coffee have become the order of the day. To your toasted teacake now add fresh scones and gateaux tiered with butter cream. These lovely memories came flooding back as we entered ‘1924’, the new gallery hosting independent craft shops on Campbell Street, Belper. At its centre sits the Cobbled Street Cafe, which as its name suggests evokes the feel of a street cafe. The walls are decorated with plenty of interesting artefacts giving Cobbled Street Cafe real atmosphere and oodles of character. It was a baking hot summer day, middle of the week and we decided a break in our day for lunch would be a very pleasant thing, and ‘1924’ was literally 2 minutes gentle stroll from Belper’s main shopping street. Cobbled Street Cafe serves chilled Fentimans old-fashioned lemonade, perfect on this hot afternoon, and there was a great choice of panini and toasted sandwiches. My panini arrived with a portion of chips, and coleslaw with fine slices of red onion, the perfect light lunch. My friend, calmed by the air conditioning, chose the large breakfast (served all day). Cooked to order, it arrived with doorstep size slices of fresh bread, and equally impressive large sausage, egg, bacon, beans, tomato and mushrooms. Suitably refreshed but not wanting to miss out on a portion of delicious cake, we each chose one to take home and enjoy later. Daniel and Beth who run Cobbled Street Café pride themselves on sourcing quality ingredients locally, then using these to produce a simple but tempting menu. Jerry Howarth Pork Butcher features high on the list of quality suppliers along with cakes from a Bakewell bakery and bread from a Chesterfield bakery. It all goes to set a good standard for this little café.So in a pensive mood I reflected on why I remember those times so clearly, meeting up with my grandmother in a cafe in Chesterfield. It was those small treats, nothing spectacular, but it became part of our weekly routine and something to look forward to. And I think we still need places like this, that we can make our ‘go to’ cafe, where we feel comfortable, we can just pop in, meet friends and family or just take a brief break from routine. Cobbled Street Café is disabled friendly as it is on the level. Dogs are also welcome. 1924 Still have a limited number of newly renovated COMMERCIAL UNITS AVAILABLE to rent. 00
Dining Out – Bang In Belper
I used to have a ‘local’. Somewhere I could walk to for a pint with our dachshund, Rupert. When I walked through the door I’d be greeted with a one word question: ‘Usual?’ And the dog would be allowed to sit on my knee at the bar. He’d size-up everyone who walked in from the car park and pass his opinion with either a wag of his tail or a killer stare accompanied by a low, throaty growl. Not many people in the pub knew my real name. I was often referred to as Rupert’s dad. Time rolls on and we now have a different dog but the same cannot be said about the local; they’re vanishing. In England and Wales over 30 pubs close each month. Victim to energy bills, staffing pressures and the breweries who concentrate on their big profit-making outlets. But all is not lost. With a back to basics attitude; the micro pub is on the rise. Some are just bars and some, like the Bang in Belper are a well balanced mix of bar, cafe and exciting street food. Anxious to sample what the owner of Bang, Andrew, describes as bangin’ street food, bangin’ boozer, bangin’ atmosphere, Susan and myself made our way to Belper on a scorching afternoon when the BBC News had reported that it was too hot for solar panels to work properly. Bang in Belper is on Bridge Street (the A6); close to the large Field Lane car park and has been at its current location for just over a year. The premises used to be an ironmongers and the bar retains the original shop front, albeit decorated and re-branded. Despite the warm afternoon the interior was cool. The decor is eclectic; a collection of miss-matched chairs, tables of all shapes and sizes – the one we sat at was part of a discarded cable drum – and a gallery. The bar had been part of the recent Belper Arts Trail, and still on display were many of the striking and imaginative portraits contributed by colleagues, friends and family. We were greeted by the friendly bar staff and introduced to Andrew. He explained how he’d left a job in engineering – that had taken him around the globe – to start his new venture just as the lockdowns began. As a result he’d concentrated on pre-ordered, take-out dishes before moving to the new venue. Craft beers are the bar’s main offering. A chalkboard behind the bar described the diverse16 keg and cask ales, ciders and lagers available including their specific gravity. If you’re as unfamiliar as I am with some of the brews on offer, don’t worry, help is at hand. Chalked on the wall is a simple instruction: ‘Wanna taste – ask for a sip’. I asked and tried a couple before deciding on a half of, the very local, To Many Andy’s from the Campbell Street Brewing Company, in Belper. It’s an American style pale ale. It has a fruity aroma that follows through to the taste with a hint of herbs. The bar’s relaxed atmosphere was reminiscent of a friendly local. We sat and chatted as the late afternoon moved on and we eventually decided it was time to order something to eat. The menu is street food with a variety of filling, like the gyoza bento bowl. It consists of five steamed dumplings with a choice of fillings – chicken, beef or vegetable – with all the trimmings. Likewise the Cuban tacos, the Bangin’ burgers and the kebab all have a variety of fillings and along with the loaded fries with cheese, a rich assortment of sauces. I selected an open burrito wrap. The open wrap filled the plate and had a base of spicy rice topped with two cheeses; mozzarella and Cheddar and a generous helping of slow cooked salt beef enhanced by a portion of pickled red cabbage. The whole dish was drizzled with an American burger sauce and surrounded by a salad. The salt beef was the star of the show; succulent and spicy. The cheese was melting and the sharp note from the cabbage and sauce cut through the rich beef and enhanced the flavour. Susan chose the week’s special: Moroccan lamb. The base of the dish was a soft, pillow like naan. Half of it was topped with zingy couscous and chickpea and the other half was covered by the spicy minced lamb. The warm North African spices shone through both portions that were finished with a scattering of spring onion and a hint of fresh chilli. A fresh salad and a pot of chilli sauce filled the rest of the plate. The whole dish was drizzled with a refreshing mint and yoghurt dressing. There was a wedge of lime to add a sharp citrus note. At Bang in Belper Andrew and his team have taken the popular street food snack and elevated it to a meal without taking away its identity. With the exciting food and variety of beers it begs the question: Is it a bar, is it a micro pub or is it a cafe? It’s probably a combination of all three. And to enhance the cafe culture, there’s live music every Sunday evening. We’d enjoyed our time in Bang in Belper and eaten two delicious dishes: one from North Africa and one from Mexico. But I couldn’t leave without a drop more of one of the craft ales. And so we set off home with, in a milk carton style bottle, two pints of Lightbulb extra pale ale produced by the Verdant Brewing Company from Falmouth in Cornwall. 00
Dining in Derbyshire – The Curry Lounge, Somercotes
It was early on a Wednesday evening when we parked on the Market Place in Somercotes adjacent to the familiar restaurant entrance. The welcoming, contemporary designed foyer hadn’t changed but for one addition; in pride-of place, the wall facing the door was adorned with a large ceramic plaque. On it, in bold type, it reads Best Restaurant Awards 2022. The restaurant was awarded the prize for Best Indian & Bangladeshi Restaurant at the Curry Life awards in October last year. Curry Life is a British independent trade magazine for the Bangladeshi and Indian restaurants and takeaways in Great Britain. With over 300 reviews taken in to account the prestigious award was made for their top class food, excellent service and overall customer experience. We made our way into the restaurant and bumped in to Syed Hussain, owner of the Curry Lounge, and congratulated him on his fabulous achievement. Obviously proud of his award he showed us a video on his phone of the ceremony. We were shown to a table for two by the window and started to unpack our drinks. The Curry Lounge doesn’t have a licence to serve alcohol but there’s nothing to stop you bringing your own. There’s something a bit naughty about walking into a restaurant with your own favourite beer or wine clinking in a much used ‘bag for life’. Our waiter provided the appropriate glasses: one wine glass and one for beer. Plus a very essential bottle opener. The menu had several items ‘flagged’ as new and we decided to order one each of the kitchen’s latest creations. We started with pickles and poppadoms; part of the curry meal ritual. A smooth mango chutney, a refreshing chunky tomato salad and spicy dark amber tamarind dip accompanied the two huge poppadoms. Plus a smooth raita that was, at our request, to stay on the table. A platter of onion bhajis was the next course. So often with these little morsels of loveliness there’s too much gram flour and very little onion but these were full of sweet onion. Soft and pillowy in the middle and cracklingly crunchy on the outside. Accompanied with the sauce boat of raita I could have made a meal of them. From one of the new additions to the list of Curry Lounge signature dishes I chose the gulbahar lamb. It’s a mildly spicy dish that was loaded with succulent lamb. The mild sauce was studded with mushrooms, onion and green peppers and a sweet spicy note lingered on the palate. I ordered a bowl of pilau rice to go with the dish. However, when I saw the peshwari naan that Sue had ordered I was tempted to try it with the gulbahar. The naan was warm, soft and overflowed with coconut giving a lovely, slightly sweet flavour to the bread. As it turned out it was a different but perfect accompaniment to the spicy lamb. Susan had ordered special vegetable paneer korai; also on the list of new additions to the Curry Lounge signature dishes. It is a combination of fresh vegetables and paneer (cubed Indian cottage cheese) cooked in a tandoori sauce with onion, peppers and tomatoes and is served in a hot tandoor dish. It’s mid-range spicy and bursting with flavour. The fresh, green vegetables were tender and flavourful. The plain paneer is a perfect vehicle for any sauce but especially delicious when coated with a sauce of tandoor spices and yoghurt. The peshwari naan turned out to be equally delicious with the paneer korai. Next time we’ll skip the rice and order two naans. We’d had a wonderful evening with delicious food, attentive service and the pleasure of trying new dishes. The Curry Lounge, Market Place, Somercotes, Derbyshire. Tel 01773 528 588 00
Dining In Derbyshire – The Bear Inn, Alderwasley
When you plan to visit a country inn the imagination can run wild. What’s its history? Is it still original or has it been spoilt by modernisation? Having visited the Bear many times during the years before lock down and way before that, my memory was of log fires, oak beams, stone walls and a very tasty pint of Bass with a traditional carvery. ‘I so hope it hasn’t changed’ I thought as we set off one evening. Well one thing you can’t change is the view of delightful surrounding countryside, perfect walking territory, neither can you change it’s history as the list of previous owners, landlords, tenants, etc. have their names etched in the pubs illustrious past along with its tales of Mary Queen of Scotts stopping here while the horses were watered or a nights stay was required as this was on the main coaching road from Birmingham to Chatsworth. These are the stories that make a 1528 oak beamed property what it is. Innkeeper Claire greeted us warmly and gave us a tour to highlight the work they have done since taking over a year or so ago. We were so pleased to see the way the building had been sympathetically decorated to show off the existing features to their best. Bear Hall is the main function room seating around 80 comfortably, making it ideal for a special occasion such as a wedding or anniversary. It comes complete with its own bar too. The decor is rich and comfortable here, where old paintings and maps compliment the leaded windows and old oak floors. Most of the guest rooms were occupied but we were able to take a peek at a couple that were empty and again each room was individual, with it’s own quirky features adding character and yet in sympathy with its age. Each named after animals that you may find wandering in the local countryside. Except Bear Hall that is! I was delighted to see that the bar area was just as I remembered it – a roaring log fire, a selection of fine ales and the buzzing hub-hub as locals and visitors engaged in friendly good humoured banter. Casting my eye along the bar I noticed Timothy Taylors Landlord was on offer, but then the Bass caught my eye especially as Claire said I could have it from the back, flat with no head! Ah yes now I remember that phrase. It was perfectly clear, the glass brimming and not a sign of a sparkle. If you ever look up flat beer on the web this is what it says ‘Serving flat beer will quickly drive away customers’ what total rubbish, they were serving it at a nice steady rate. It allows you to taste the hops, it’s smooth and delicious and this particular Bass was extremely well kept…I’d recommend it. A little history from the Bear Inn’s web site for you. In 1690, the building became the property of the Hurt family, when it then became an alehouse and soon after was known as the Olde Brown Bear Inn. The Bear Inn, as it became known by 1735, lay on the Birmingham-Derby-Chesterfield-Sheffield turnpike road. By 1764 it had become a prominent coaching Inn. The names and dates of all Innkeepers and owners from 1735 – 2008, 2022 are listed in the entrance hall of The Bear. In recent years, the fame of the Inn has spread across various counties and continents – mainly as a Gastro pub of note, a hotel, carvery, and a real ale venue. The menu is easy to follow, well explained, gives you a good choice and is not too expensive to visit on a week day, with pie and chip specials on Tuesdays and curry on Thursdays to temp you. We were dining early in the evening and with no rush, so we began with starters. The arancini were mozzarella and tomato, lightly cooked and rich and soft inside; mental note to myself to try these on our next visit! I had the crispy tiger prawns in the lightest of tempura batter and with a tasty tequila mayo for a dip, lovely.Then for main course my husband chose the chicken leek and ham pie with chunky chips and lashings of gravy. A hearty pie with short pastry and plenty of filling, a generous portion to boot. My appetite isn’t quite as robust so the pan fried sea bass fillet was perfect, served with tomato salsa and garlic, rosemary new potatoes with asparagus. Now have you ever fancied something sweet and clean tasting to finish but can’t manage a whole pudding, well I found the small carton of locally made (Ashbourne) ice-cream was just perfect. True to character, my husband tucked into his fruit crumble and custard, with gusto!! This is a treasure of an old inn with plenty of cosy corners for an intimate meal, but also good size square tables where families and friends can gather. The atmosphere is warm and friendly where the staff are cheerful and happy to help. Long may inns of this calibre continue to offer true, traditional hospitality. Monday – Thursday Lunch: 12pm – 4pm Dinner: 5pm – 9pmFriday and Saturday Breakfast: 8.30am – 11.00am Lunch: 12pm – 4pm Dinner: 5pm – 9pmSunday Breakfast: 8.30am – 10.00am Carvery 12pm – 5:45pm Accommodation. Choose from two individually designed and newly renovated self-contained holiday cottages. Or stay in one of the seven stylish hotel rooms, all equipped with their very own en-suites, and shared access to the private residents’ lounge. Ample free parking is available for all guests! 00
Restaurant Review – The Little Kitchen, Little Eaton
On our travels Susan and myself have eaten breakfast in some very memorable places: an ‘all American’ diner on I50, somewhere near Williamsburg, Maryland, overlooking one of the many picturesque creeks that litter the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. In the roof top restaurant of the Hotel Bristol, Sorrento, Italy, with its magnificent view of the bay of Naples, watching the ferry depart for Capri. And on a Boeing 747; the TWA ‘red eye’ from Chicago to London; memorable for all the wrong reasons. It was a warm mid-week morning and we’d been invited for breakfast at the Little Kitchen, Little Eaton; a venue we’d passed many time and remarked on how busy it looked. For many years, what is now the Little Kitchen, had been, primarily, a newsagents run by the husband and wife team, David and Donna Baxter. They expanded the café and dining venture as newspaper deliveries declined, eventually developing Little Kitchen in to the bistro style venue it is today. The entrance to Little Kitchen is through a Parisian café influenced, pavement forecourt with dark grey waist high wooden planters along the boundary. These are topped with glazed panels keeping the area bright, and along with the gazebo keep it shielded from the odd rain shower. The interior of Little Kitchen is ‘industrial-vintage style’ from the bare ceiling lights with their exaggerated filaments to the mid-century, steel framed chairs and workmanlike tables. There is an open kitchen at one end of the building and a well stocked bar at the other. It was a warm, sunny morning and I said that we’d like to sit outside. And so we were escorted through to the garden court. An intimate area dotted with gazebos and a selection of tables that can seat from two to eight diners. With so much outside space it’s no wonder the eatery is also dog friendly. The friendly and knowledgeable waitress asked us what we’d like to drink from a selection of various coffee combinations and teas. We both went for the double espresso and it was excellent. Golden brown with a good crema. A rich flavour, not too bitter or watery. The breakfast menu ranges from the loaded full English, through hot sausage or bacon breakfast rolls to pancakes with maple syrup, fresh fruit and Nutella. Plus there’s a ‘specials board’; it’s a roll of brown parcel paper hanging from the wall with daily offerings written on it. I selected the lean bagel stacker. Sandwiched between a split and toasted bagel, spread with cream cheese, with a generous portion of wilted spinach topped with sautéed mushrooms. Plus a grilled, thick cut, rasher of bacon and a meaty, country style, sausage. The latter sliced length ways to stop it falling out of the stack. The final touch was half of a grilled tomato. The whole tower held in place with a wooden skewer. The bagel was what it should be; simple and a little chewy. The spinach was tasty and along with the mushrooms was a delicious combination. The bacon and sausage was just the right amount of meat for this well balanced breakfast combination. The alternative mean stacker has even more ingredients. Susan’s choice was more brunch than breakfast: eggs royal. A round of farmhouse toast covered with a small pile of sliced smoked salmon. This was topped with two perfectly poached eggs and accompanied with a smooth hollandaise sauce. The slightly salty salmon provided all the seasoning the meal required. Little Kitchen is versatile. The spectacular display of home-made cakes, ready for the afternoon teas, caught my eye. They also cater for parties and are popular with cyclists. Their weekend evening menu features ‘add your own topping’ pizza. It’s only a few miles north of Derby and is open every day at 8am and on Monday to Thursday they close at 5pm. Friday and Saturday they close at 10.30 and on Sunday: 6pm. And yes, we did visit Tiffany’s in New York. It was early on a cool Autumn morning in 1984. But, back then, they didn’t do breakfast. 00
Restaurant Review – Denby Lodge
It was a mid-week evening and Susan and myself were out to sample the new menu at the Denby lodge. There’s something homely and relaxed about the Denby Lodge that I can’t quite put my finger on. It feels familiar. The decor helps with its modern, soft palette and mix and match furniture. The staff are friendly and attentive. And the recognisable dishes, on the diverse menus, have home cooked food written all over them. Perhaps the secret is a combination of all of the above. The Denby Lodge was known as a steakhouse and that reputation continues to this day. They serve meat that has been hung for 28 days and is sourced from farms in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. However we chose to ignore the extensive beef steak ‘grill’ selection and instead opted for two meals from the ‘main course’. Susan had the chicken in a creamy leak and Stilton sauce and I selected the lamb rump in a redcurrant gravy; quite the best lamb I have had in a while. My char grilled lamb was presented on the plate with a jug of glossy red current and red wine jus and accompanied by a dish of fresh and tender vegetables. The lamb was cooked just how I like it. It was not overcooked and had just a hint of pink when cut into. It had a slender outer layer of fat that was well grilled and crispy. The fat rendered down and had kept the meat moist and tender, adding to the flavour. The jus had a hint of sweetness from the red currants and a depth of flavour and acidity from the red wine. A perfect balance to the tender rump. Susan had chosen the chicken breast in a leek and Stilton cream sauce. The chicken breast had been poached and was lean, tender, juicy and flavourful. The cream sauce was a careful balance of flavours. The yeasty sweetness and a salty taste of the creamy cheese didn’t overpower the tender leeks but was a perfect counter point to the subtle chicken. Both our dishes of vegetables were identical. Boiled new potatoes, peas and carrots that still had a little bit of bite and a serving of flavourful, sweet, red cabbage that had not lost its colour. And then came the sweet; what a beauty. I’m not a fan of very sweet puddings and the lemon tart appealed to me. A thin pastry case filled with sharp, not too sweet lemon with a hint of a burnt sugar crust came with a dish of vanilla ice cream. Quite excellent. The main menu, that we made our selection from, also has a grill section, burgers and salad. There is also a childrens section, Sunday roast, lite bite and take-out menus. From lunch time till late afternoon there’s a ‘Two Meals for £14’ menu. The bar has an excellent array of cask ales including Marston’s Pedigree and local beers. It’s a popular destination. Whether it’s a table for two or a large party I’d recommend a table reservations for the evenings, particularly at the weekend. There’s also plenty of outdoor seating in the terraced beer garden for those warm summer days and nights. We found the Denby Lodge an enjoyable and relaxing place for a drink and a meal. It has a large, well lit car park and is in the centre of Denby Village, on Church Street. 00
