Restaurant Review – Denby Lodge
It was a mid-week evening and Susan and myself were out to sample the new menu at the Denby lodge. There’s something homely and relaxed about the Denby Lodge that I can’t quite put my finger on. It feels familiar. The decor helps with its modern, soft palette and mix and match furniture. The staff are friendly and attentive. And the recognisable dishes, on the diverse menus, have home cooked food written all over them. Perhaps the secret is a combination of all of the above.
The Denby Lodge was known as a steakhouse and that reputation continues to this day. They serve meat that has been hung for 28 days and is sourced from farms in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. However we chose to ignore the extensive beef steak ‘grill’ selection and instead opted for two meals from the ‘main course’. Susan had the chicken in a creamy leak and Stilton sauce and I selected the lamb rump in a redcurrant gravy; quite the best lamb I have had in a while.
My char grilled lamb was presented on the plate with a jug of glossy red current and red wine jus and accompanied by a dish of fresh and tender vegetables. The lamb was cooked just how I like it. It was not overcooked and had just a hint of pink when cut into. It had a slender outer layer of fat that was well grilled and crispy. The fat rendered down and had kept the meat moist and tender, adding to the flavour. The jus had a hint of sweetness from the red currants and a depth of flavour and acidity from the red wine. A perfect balance to the tender rump.
Susan had chosen the chicken breast in a leek and Stilton cream sauce. The chicken breast had been poached and was lean, tender, juicy and flavourful. The cream sauce was a careful balance of flavours. The yeasty sweetness and a salty taste of the creamy cheese didn’t overpower the tender leeks but was a perfect counter point to the subtle chicken.
Both our dishes of vegetables were identical. Boiled new potatoes, peas and carrots that still had a little bit of bite and a serving of flavourful, sweet, red cabbage that had not lost its colour.
And then came the sweet; what a beauty. I’m not a fan of very sweet puddings and the lemon tart appealed to me. A thin pastry case filled with sharp, not too sweet lemon with a hint of a burnt sugar crust came with a dish of vanilla ice cream. Quite excellent.
The main menu, that we made our selection from, also has a grill section, burgers and salad. There is also a childrens section, Sunday roast, lite bite and take-out menus. From lunch time till late afternoon there’s a ‘Two Meals for £14’ menu. The bar has an excellent array of cask ales including Marston’s Pedigree and local beers. It’s a popular destination. Whether it’s a table for two or a large party I’d recommend a table reservations for the evenings, particularly at the weekend. There’s also plenty of outdoor seating in the terraced beer garden for those warm summer days and nights.
We found the Denby Lodge an enjoyable and relaxing place for a drink and a meal. It has a large, well lit car park and is in the centre of Denby Village, on Church Street.
