Here’s my round up of the hottest food (and drink!) news in Derbyshire this month. From pop-up events and special collaborations to the most exhilarating new launches and the most delicious festive menus, I’ve got you covered.
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Derbyshire food news
Chef Patron of the Bulls Head in Holymoorside, Mark Aisthorpe has been involved in an exciting collaboration with Audi which highlights his meticulous approach to design, precision and culinary balance. This approach has culminated in the Bulls Head being named as a finalist in Estrella’s ‘One to Watch’ category.
There’ve been a slew of new openings across Derbyshire. Perhaps the most exciting is the pop-up Nordic Bar in Derby’s Market Place. Also just launched in Derby city centre is Boa. Located on Sadler Gate in the lovely Cathedral Quarter, Boa is serving up cocktails and tapas.
Popular Mexican street food brand Let’s Taco Bout It opens its first permanent shop in Ripley this weekend.
In Chesterfield, new openings include Smashed and Pulled for hand crafted burgers and stone baked pizzas and Top Cats which is the new home of Pizza Pi. (If you’re Chesterfield based and looking for yummy takeaways, this blog post needs updating but would be a good starting point if you’re new to the area).
Sadly for Chesterfield, 4Eyes Bakery have announced their departure from The Batch House on January 2nd – which gives us a few more weeks of their epic coffees, cinnamon buns, pizzas etc. Thankfully, they will be continuing to supply other cafés with their delicious baked goods on a wholesale basis.
Similarly, popular Spondon café, Aroma is serving its last month of their food menu. They’ve gradually started to rebrand as The Cake Club Derby which officially launches in the new year.
Best festive menus in Derbyshire
I’ve been asked a few times for my recommendations for the loveliest places for a festive meal.
If you’re looking for somewhere truly special, stylish and luxuriously understated, Fischer’s at Baslow Hall has shot straight to the top of my favourites list. They’re running an excellent value, fine dining lunch menu Thursday to Sunday starting at a very reasonable £38.50 for two sublime courses, amuse-bouche and freshly baked bread and butter. For serious foodies or anyone wanting to be seriously spoiled, this is the place to go – read my recent review.
The Maynard in Grindleford is a great all-rounder. In addition to their expansive main menu, they’re running a Festive Menu two courses for £31 or three for £35 – with 20% off Monday to Thursday up until 22nd December. I’ve got my eye on the duck rillette with beetroot and fennel jelly followed by slow-cooked beef shin served with horseradish mashed potato, sautéed kale, roasted maple carrots and gravy.
Fancy something a bit quirkier? Eclectic, multi-award winning, rural pub, the Barley Mow in Bonsall are offering a tempting festive menu – and turbo charged mulled wine. Choices include smoked mackerel pate with dill and cucumber pickle, Derbyshire turkey crown with all the trimmings and venison and cranberry pie. Two courses £28.50 or three for £32.50 – must be pre-ordered by phoning 01629 825685.
For creative vegan festive menus, check out Figaro in Wingerworth where choices include celeriac and truffle soup and a delicious sounding Christmas salad with walnuts, orange and pomegranate. Head to their socials for the full menu and booking details.
For something more casual, lots of places are running delicious sounding festive specials. I particularly like Bottle & Thyme in Chesterfield and the Apple Tree Tea House in Ockbrook – both of which have decadent festive sandwiches – perfect for a purse-friendly catch up over drinks. Another favourite, The Tickled Trout has brought back it’s festive pizza – complete with turkey, stuffing and pigs and blankets!
Where I’ve enjoyed eating recently
Hopefully, you’ll have already read my blogs on Derby’s Nordic Bar – a fabulous addition to the festive offering in the city centre and a review of Chatsworth Kitchen’s new evening service (get there ASAP if it appeals as I’m not sure what their plans for the new year are).
The icing on the cake, and possibly my favourite meal of the whole year, was a wonderful lunch at Fischer’s at Baslow Hall.
I’ve also done lots of other eating out just a regular customer where I’ve totally relaxed and enjoyed the experience and catching up with friends and family (rather than attempting to capture everything in three different formats).
Highlights have included a gorgeously festive day with two very special friends at the lovely Peak Edge Hotel which is always beautifully decked out for Christmas, a delicious brunch and this outrageous Milky Way stars hot chocolate at Apple Tree Tea House, an impromptu tapas lunch at Lorentes in Darley Abbey (part of a really exciting project that will be launched in the next few days), my annual tradition of Toastie the Difference halloumi fries at Haddon Hall Christmas Market and top notch working brunches at Bottle & Thyme and 4Eyes Bakery (pictured above).
Thanks for reading. I’ll be back next month with more Derbyshire food news.
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