Hottest Bites this Autumn – Derbyshire Food News

Hello foodies! It’s been a while!! But I’m back for autumn, my absolute favourite season. Here’s my take on eating out in Derbyshire. Some of what’s included here is the result of gifted PR invites and of my freelance work, but all views are my own [AD].

Many thanks to Tom Hodgson for the photography.

Looking for a more recent slice of Derbyshire food news? Check out my ultimate festive food guide.

Food News

Back in the summer, Dunston Hall launched their gorgeous new Food Hall. Despite being a regular visitor to their Bistro, it took a prompt from my lovely friend Soraya in the Peaks to check out the food hall. It’s a little tricky to locate (park at the top end of the car park to head straight there), but worth seeking out for Fortnum and Mason-esque vibes. I can thoroughly recommend the ‘beef and blue’ pies which come with a little pot of complimentary gravy!

The lovely Lambton Larder in Bakewell has changed hands, now owned by the brilliant Jane who has worked in some of Derbyshire’s finest eateries including Fischer’s and The George at Alstonefield. This gloriously bijou deli now has an extended ‘food to go’ offering – such as their delicious focaccia sandwiches as well as locally roasted barista coffee and freshly baked pastries from Welbeck Bakehouse.

One of my faves, Chatsworth Kitchen at Peak Village have extended their opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Check out my review of their previous evening menu.

Cocina at Casa has revamped its offering with a renewed focus on steak (alongside its existing Spanish offering of sociable tapas dishes) with a greater selection of cuts available, including from home reared rare breed cattle from the owner’s Walton Lodge Farm Estate. See the new menu here or read my previous review.

Offers on Eating Out in Derbyshire

The Cavendish Hotel in Baslow has recently launched an incredible value early bird menu in their pretty Garden Room. Two courses are just £15 or three for £20 plus a 5% service charge. See a sample menu here and note the booking times are between 12 – 12:30pm for lunch, or 5:30 – 6:30pm for dinner, Monday to Friday.

The brilliant Bank House in Hathersage are offering a very generous 50% off all main meals in October, including breakfast, lunch and dinner on pre-booked reservations Monday to Thursday only. The perfect opportunity to try this fabulous restaurant. (For full Ts &Cs see their social media post advertising this offer from 19^th September).

If you go, look out for their specially brewed Peak District Pale Ale, a wonderful collaboration between Abbeydale Brewery and local artist Si Homfray of Park Designs.

Eating Out in Erewash

I’ve been working with Visit Erewash to help them promote their brilliant new website showcasing the hidden gems of the borough. As part of this collaboration, you’ve hopefully seen my Reel highlighting some of my favourite places to eat in rural Erewash. Since publishing that, I’ve been back collecting more content (look out for that on my social media channels soon!), and of course had to check out a few foodie places along the way.

By far my favourite ‘new to me’ find is The Cowshed in Dale Abbey. It’s been recommended to me time and time again over the years… I now understand why everyone was so insistent I go! A quaint, cosy tearoom with a light and airy conservatory with expansive outdoor decking area overlooking the surrounding fields, this really is somewhere very special. Find more places to eat and drink in Erewash.

Erewash is easily accessible from both Derby and Nottingham, and boasts some beautiful scenery – much of it gloriously ‘undiscovered’. Why not add it to your list of places to go for a bracing countryside walks and cute cafés?

My Derbyshire Food Diary

Some of the stand out dining I’ve done that hasn’t made it to the grid (because sometimes it’s nice to just relax rather than trying to get good photos) includes trying the new Perurvian outlet at The Batch House in Chesterfield. Whilst I’m not convinced that the menu was particularly authentic, the wrap I had was moreish-ly spicy and it’s great to see some new vendors.

I enjoyed an exceptionally good meal at the Prince of Wales in Baslow last Friday night. The smoked chilli oil served with the focaccia was a taste sensation in itself. But my main course was delicious autumn dining personified – pan seared pork fillet with apple, cabbage and potato fondant brought together with a rich jus. Just wonderful. The service was also excellent throughout.

Somewhere I go quite frequently with family but have never blogged about is Pesto at the Peacock in Oakerthorpe near Alfreton. Being brutally honest, this place never completely hits the mark for me personally – but it’s an interesting concept (Italian style, small plates). It’s always busy and everyone else in my family adores it, so they’re clearly doing something right. They also offer an exceptional value daytime menu (which suits dining with a seven year old).

Before signing off, I want to give a special mention to The George at Hathersage. I was kindly invited to the launch of their autumn menu last year before they were so badly hit by the floods. It’s wonderful to see them back open and running. They’re operating a refreshed version of the menu I enjoyed last year and all my favourites are still appear. The slow-cooked beef shin I had there was incredibly good – like a hearty hug on a plate! Read my full review here.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this column. If you have, why not join my Derbyshire Food Lovers Facebook group where I’d love to hear your favourite places to eat out in Derbyshire.

Got some Derbyshire food news you’d like to share? Get in touch via LinkedIn or drop me an email.

See you next month,