January 2007
It's a cold damp Wednesday in January, I've just come back from Zizzi pizza in Derby (a chain!) with my mum and sister. My bowl of crab, pea and lemon oil spaghetti wasn't the worst in the world, but I knew it could be better. Why do we always end up at Zizzi or Pizza Express? I've decided, enough is enough !
Why is it that there are more crap places to eat, than good places. Where the hell do you go for dinner in the week that's not Indian, pasta or Chinese & isn't a chain (i.e. not independently owned). Why does most pub-grub fall short? Why is the only noise you hear coming from the kitchen that of a microwave "ping" and not a head chef shouting "service"! On this site we're gona find, with your help, the best places in the Derby area, let's say within a 15 mile radius, to eat, drink and shop for Decent Grub (including Nottingham?).Where do you get a traditional home cooked pub lunch? Where do you go for an impromtu dinner mid-week, that's been cooked, not just re-heated, and under a tenner? Where can I get a decent Gin & Tonic? (plenty of lime and ice, in my opinion) A decent cup of coffee and a perfectly pulled pint? Where can I buy organic & local produce? and where can I eat it? (now there's a challenge!) Where can you enjoy real ale with a hearty plate of localy produced sausages & mash? And where are those potentially Michelin star rated restaurants and chef's working away to create gastronomic perfection (come on there must be a budding Heston out there somewhere) The area does have some good places to eat and drink and there are plenty of people who are trying. But Derby doesn't even have an independent delicatessen anymore, for cryin out loud, Belper does! So let's find the local champions of good food, lets shout for Decent Grub! In fact tell me all your foodie thoughts and experiences from anywhere in the UK, I'm sure you wana tell em and I'd love to hear em.
Hopefully next time you fancy a plate of Decent Derbyshire Grub, you'll know where to look! From sausages to sushi, tell me about every mouthfull, everyplace, everywhere. I want your opinion on my reviews and your ratings out of 10, for food, service & venue. Let's see who gets the nod and who gets the knock? and hopefully together we can create a directory of the best!
.......... All I ask, is that it's Decent Grub!
Hey Ho, let's go ! ("Blitzkreig Bop", Ramones, 1976)
Martin, 9.10 pm, Wednesday 10th January 2007
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL REVIEWS ARE JUST MY OWN PERSONAL OPINIONS AND AS WE ALL KNOW, RESTAURANT QUALITY AND SERVICE CAN CHANGE ON A DAILY BASIS. PLEASE TRY ALL THE ESTABLISHMENTS FOR YOUR SELVES AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. ENJOY.........
MARTIN (decentgrub.com)
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9 comments:
i agree with the comments about the dining out scene in derby. i have had a good meal at darleys and also was impressed with masa, the converted chapel. my mate says the harrington arms down in elvaston does a great sunday lunch. another recommendation for really good homemade food is the vic at beeston. i have lost count of the times i have attended work do's, birthday parties and other celebratory nights out which end up in pierre victoire's, which although a great place surely needs some competition. papitos the mexican and anoki the indian on london road are both excellent but for all round good grub i like the red cow at holbrook, the blue bell at farnah green and the dog and duck in shardlow. over in nottingham there are soooo many places so come on derby...
Nice one dirtyspoon. Darleys and Masa are pretty good for formal dinning, as is the Blenheim restaurant in Etwall. Anoki, well just fab. If you're ever out at Shardlow again try the Navigation, the chef/proprietor Ian has worked at some of the best restaurants in Nottingham. I'm not a big fan of the Spotted Cow in Holbrook (I think this is where you mean, the Red Cow is in Allestree), my last experience was well below par. Again if you're out that way try the recently re-opened Fox and Hounds at Coxbench, I've only had a lunch there, but it looks promising. Yeah and Pierre Victoire is just another Pizza Express in my opinion. Keep it coming..... Martin
Being a recent departee from Derby (I moved away in July 2006 after 45 years) I can only add that dining in Derby is either a very good or very bad experience or that there is little in between that represents value for money. Here's my very quick summary of the gastronomic delights of Derby and personal thoughts.
Anoki - excellent as always, never ever had a bad meal but it can get a bit overcrowded and noisy at times: 9/10
Darleys - I've only ever been once (and once was enough). If you charge London prices, then the food, decor and service should match or even excell that of London. £200 for a very average meal for two wasn't good value on the one occasion that I visited. The Manager was pretty rude when I tried to politely point this out as well....the response was "well its Derby on a Saturday night and not London - what do you expect....?” I'm from Derby and was insulted by her comments: 3/10
The Blenhiem - credit where its due- excellent service, food and value for money. Been at least 12 times and have NEVER been disappointed. (9/10)
Masala Art - poor mans Anoki...enough said (4/10)
Pascal at the Vicarage (Burton on Trent) - the average age of the diner is at least 60! Food is ok but do you really want to eat in a conservatory that continually steams up? (6/10)
Mumbai Blue (on the A38) - good food, reasonably priced, nice decor - but lacks attention to detail in service. (7/10)
Antibos - does anybody else get fed up with the birthday cakes and nightly sing song? (6/10)
Eden Gardens (Allestree) - what the hell is that place about? strange decor.... They were still using the same furniture / decoration they 'inherited' from the previous owner of the fish restaurant! Nice food though. (6/10)
Saffron - can somebody tell the owner that laminate flooring (cheap) and imitation leather chairs do not = minimalist! (4/10)
Jewel of India - good food, nice decor, discreet service. Excellent value for money. (7/10)
The Great Northern in Mickleover - can't make my mind up if they've ruined a good old boozer or created Derby's first gastropub...(7/10)
There's also The White Hart in Duffield (on the main road) that does an excellent Sunday Dinner with the joint (meat!) served on a wooden platter and you carve yourself etc Brill, proper Sunday grub! (8/10)
Last comments and views (I'll add a few more when I've got more time)
Lunch in Derby City Centre - where on earth is there to eat?
Food shops - I agree with Martins comments about a good deli. Whatever happened to the polish deli on Normanton Road? - did it end up in the market...if it did is it still there?
As one famous Philosopher once said (so famous I can't remember his name - but this stuck with me!) “Man will always want good bread, other things they can do without - but not bread". Have a think about it - bread (in whatever form) is the staple food in nearly every nationalities diet but where can you buy a decent loaf in Derby?
So dining in Derby for me has been a mixed bag and there is room for improvement.....people will vote with their feet and wallet but only if it’s worth it.
Martin.... help me understand how my independent deli, with 70 cover Restaurant that is 1 minutes walk from your shops has missed your radar? Everything you are after in your manifesto is on offer (save the Draught beer!) With reveiws ,accolades and listings from the National and local press I'm confused as to how we don't exist!
Try the Rose and Crown in Mayfield (near Ashbourne). It's a freehold pub, the owners have been there 2 or 3 years. The food is fantastic and it's not expensive, either. Definitely the best place we've eaten around here! (www.pickledginger.co.uk).
I know you have reviewed Ebi Sushi recently, I can certainly say from my experience that it's top notch. Derby really has lagged behind other twons when it comes to food.
Id also recommend the House in Derby opposite the Library, quality traditional food
Hi martin, its a great job your doing!
I went to The Bridge Inn this sunday with my girlfriend and was really impressed with the quality of food. We shared a big bowl of chilli marinated olives and home-made bread with balsamic and more olive oil and we shared a starter of two large black pudding in batter, free range poached egggs and chorizo. It was soo nice and only £6.95. I then had a trio of sausage with bubble and Squeek and the missus had a rump steak with Scallops and King Prawns, it was cooked to perfection. There was courgettes in the bubble and squeek which was a nice touch. All in with drinks it was just shy of £40. Cant believe this place is only a three minute walk from where we live in Chester Green. Its a shame we were the only two in there but mucho thanks for the reccomendation!
My top six based on HOW MUCH I ENJOYED IT. This statement comprises service, food, drink price, setting etc..
1= Best
1) Istanbul, Fish Market
2) Zest, Friargate
3) Graze, Friargate
4) Darleys, Darley Abbey
5) Blenheim House, Etwall
6) The Bridge Inn, Chester Green
OK I am coming over to Derby from Finland next month and looking for somewhere that serves decent food (not too pricey) within walking distance of the centre of Derby - as I will meet up with a friend and we'll both come in from different direction by public transport. (don't have a car)
what do you recommend?
I found your blog via google - after looking at the St Werburgh's conversion into Wokmania. Do me a favour and leave a comment over at my blog
http://stf.writeouts.com/?p=187
thanks stf
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