La Tasca, Friargate, Derby

When you arrive at a restaurant at 8 pm on a Friday evening and it's in complete darkness, it's not usually a good sign. Mother, skinny & myself had decided last minute to finally try out Deco on Woods Lane, but it looks like we'd left it too late. Complete darkness and the entrance firmly locked, could only mean one thing........ closed for business. I always thought that Woods Lane was an unusual location for a restaurant, but encouraging reports meant I must find out for myself. Alas it was too late.
OK, so it's Friday night and it's getting on, where too now? We're in town and we need to eat, before skinny's blood sugar level drops!
La Tasca, squeezed in between the old St Werburgh's church and the Casino is in my opinion a really nice building, and inside the ambiance is spot on, however some tables are badly located by toilet or kitchen doors, so it was worth us waiting 5 minutes for one of the tables against the perimeter wall, with comfy cushions in abundance.
Our drinks order had already been taken at the bar, so it was just a case of waiting for our eyes to adjust to the semi darkness before trawling through the list of Tapas.
I took the reigns and ordered a selection of potato, meat and fish plates, seven in total between the three of us. No surprise that only 6 arrived. For me, this is when it started to go Pete Tong, one plate missing, no bread (I don't know if you should get it free, or if you pay for bread, but a small basket of "fresh" crusty bread is essential to mop up any garlicky, wine sauces), hasty service and the chant coming from upstairs of "Happy birthday to you..........."
The lighting was dimmed yet again, but luckily my skinny had a torch in her bag, so mother was able to select her dessert by torchlight. Where is our waitress? I couldn't wait any longer for another beer and found myself going to the bar, for the first of two visits, to ask if we could have more drinks. Not good enough.
This place is rapidly becoming the Antibo's of the city centre, specialising in large tables of revellers who don't care about the quality of the food or the fact they've waited ages for a waitress to ask if they'd like another drink.
I can't say anymore than........ attractive venue (especially in the evenings), below average service and "unworthy of average" food (I reckon their meatballs would be suitable for vegetarians!) This is probably the first chain eaterie I've been to this year, and it was no better than the 1st time I visited. Tickety-boo for large groups and appetites, tenuous for fresh food and service.
A full menu can be viewed by clicking on the link : www.latasca.co.uk/TAPAS/Tapas.html
Food 4/10
Service 4/10
Venue 6/10
Tel : 01332 206515
www.latasca.co.uk

"Hey Mr. Jim I can see the shape you’re in" (Spanish Stroll, Mink DeVille, 1977)
Martin, Friday 23rd February, 2007

Masala Art, Midland Road, Derby

CLICK ON SAMPLE MENU TO ENLARGE

I don't know about you, but every week or so I need my curry fix, once it's done that's me sorted for another couple of weeks. Well tonight it's the whole family trotting off to Masala Art on Midland Road to collect our prescription.
First impressions are of a warm, softly lit room and very courteous, traditionally dressed staff. The waiting/bar area is a bit small, and there's probably only enough seating for four people, so we were propelled straight to our stylish laid tables and each presented with a copy of their innovative menu. The majority of the seating is made up of high backed, tan suede upholstery, very modern and if you get one of the booth's, also quite private. Drinks were promptly served, it was now time to decide, change your mind, then decide again, what to eat....
Mother plumped for her usual poppadoms and pickle. They pride themselves here on unusual accompaniments, such as their own apple & mint chutney, however they were more than happy to bring her the ubiquitous lime pickle. It was mushroom bhaji for the Bec, mixed vegetable starter for my skinny and tiger prawn puri for me. I was well impressed with the presentation of my starter, and it didn't disappoint the palate either, my skinny was also satisfied with her trio of samosas and bhaji's, but the perfectly formed circle of what I think was a tamarind reduction, was a bit fiery for her. Updates were provided by the attentive staff as to the imminent arrival of the mains, and in due course they promptly appeared, all presented in charming copper bowls. My usual chicken bhuna (£8.95) was remarkably tasty but slightly too hot for me, even though it is only rated number 1 (they rate all their food on a 1 - 3 chilli rating), lamb dansac (£8.95), lamb with spices & lentils for mother, chicken balti (£8.95) chicken with yoghurt & green peppers for my skinny and lamb saag gosht (£9.95) lamb, spinach & greens for Bec. Two pilau rice & one plain nan completed the line up. It was enjoyable for all, but my skinny did say she felt her's was a bit lacking on depth of taste. The attentive service was maintained throughout, and at the end of the proceedings we were presented with a small questionnaire, asking what we thought of their service and food, no wonder they're able to maintain such lofty levels of service, when they're constantly monitoring their customers opinions.
All in all it was hard to find faults tonight, as mother said to find any would be considered picky. When it came to 'way-in' £90 for the meal (that's 4 starters, four mains & 2 drinks each) we were once again asked what we thought of the experience. " I reckon you're one of the two best Indian restaurants in Derby" I said. "Yes, but are we number 1 or number 2?" she replied. Now there's a thought.............
N.B. Scientists at Nottingham Trent University have discovered that people can actually become addicted to curries, because they arouse and stimulate the senses. Their findings indicate that people do not just crave curry because of its spicy taste, but also because it stimulates the senses and provides a natural high (BBC, Oct. 2000).

Food 7.5/10
Service 8/10
Venue 7.5/10
Tel: 01332 292629
www.masala-art.co.uk

"Hot in the city, hot in the city tonight, tonight" (Hot in the city, Billy Idol, 1982)
Martin, Saturday 3rd February, 2007

Saracens Head, Shirley, Derbyshire.

The Saracens Head, Shirley, halfway between Derby and Ashbourne, has recently been taken over by the crew from the Red Lion at Hollington, a pub which has achieved entries in some of the UK's leading eating and drinking guides. Having been to the Red Lion several times, I was keen to give their new venture a go.
My initial thought when I walked in was, it's too bright. I reckon some of the lamps should have softer lit bulbs, to make the place appear more cosy (and save money), and let the candles on tables get a look in.
The menu was displayed on a large chalk board. I like this, it says 'seasonal' and 'fresh' to me. However I was disappointed to see the only fish option, Lager battered fish and chunky chips, was crossed off, a second 'lighter' fish dish on the menu would have been good.
When we both saw the size of the portions being placed on the adjacent table, we decided a starter to share would be enough. Goats cheese wrapped in pancetta (about £4) came with a mound of fresh crunchy leaves and a tangy dressing. With two of us hacking away, it didn't last long.
Bec had Char grilled lemon, rosemary and garlic chicken with asparagus and tagliettelle (£7.50), she was easily beaten by the large amount of pasta. Pour moi it was Steak and mushroom pie with chunky chips and veg (£7.95). Both plates came piping hot, and as with Bec, I was beaten by the sheer volume of food. I was marginally disappointed that it wasn't actualy pie, but a plate full of stew with a cut out square of puff pastry, placed precariously on top, however my veg was spot on.
This is hearty pub grub, very much pie and chips stuff, but perfect for rounding off a long walk on a Winter's day, accompanied by a pint of real ale and a roaring log fire (they had both of these). They could definitely tweek the menu, by adding one more fish and vegetarian option. It's early days and they may eventually take it in an entirely different direction.
Maybe closed on Monday's.
Food 6.5/10
Service 6.5/10
Venue 6/10
Tel: 01335 360330

"We're goin down the pub" (Hurry up Harry, Sham 69, 1978)
Martin, Thursday 1st February, 2007