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