With temperatures set to soar over the coming week just in time for the nice long bank holiday weekend, you’re probably on the lookout for a good eatery. You know, the sort of place where you can lounge at leisure whilst tucking into an al fresco supper.

Look no further than Las Iguanas Derby, whose new menu hits the spot to sate appetites of all levels and whose moreish drinks will leave you with a smile on your face.

I have dined at Las Iguanas Derby before (see original review here), and since then, the décor has improved (new lights perhaps?) to render a lighter, more spacious environ.

The menu has undergone a serious design revamp and it is now more compact and user-friendly.

goat-curry

We dived straight into mains, my choice being Dominican goat curry (chilli curry, spring onion rice, pickled onions, fried plantain).

Tender meat that yielded with the slightest of bites enrobed in a spice laden sauce was so good, that I have promised myself that will be my dish of choice for the next three Las Iguanas visits. A polite warning that this dish is very hot – I have an asbestos palate and found the heat quotient to be pleasantly high. Of course that is all down to the scotch bonnet chillies, which leads me to say, that this dish is a must-eat for those who dig hot, hot, hot food.

I for one, would love to see more goat dishes on menus, because this is a seriously underused, underrated meat. It has yet to catch on here in the UK, but I’m hoping to see more goat on UK menus, not just for Goatober.

vegan-curry

Dining partner indulged in the moqueca de palmitos (butternut squash, palm hearts, coconut curry, pico de gallo). He loved his dish, and I can attest to the high scrumptious factor of this dish, as I had written about this moqueca curry previously.

Vegetables with just the right amount of bite, swimming in a subtly sweet coconut broth were perfect with spring onion rice. Garnish of pico de gallo was a nice touch, and, this goes for both dishes; I would have liked to see more rice on each plate.

churros

Dessert of churros was very good. I loved the crisp shell of the pastry, and the airy textured filling. If eaten hot (which was the case here), the accompanying dulce de leche melts into a beautiful ribbon dripping down the ridged pastry. I’m a fan of dulce de leche and often cook with it at home, making it from scratch. It’s a similar process to making caramel, and I love it because of its versatility. Here, the dulce de leche is great to dunk in (although chocolate fans can also request a mini chocolate pot to dunk churros in).

Service could have been more attentive, but as there as only one wait-staff, it is understandable that a longer time might be expected.

I love what Las Iguanas have done to the place. By flinging open the doors to let in much anticipated sunshine and great vibes, Las Iguanas is great place to be in Derby.

If you go, I highly recommend the goat curry. Give it a try, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Rating: (1: Hate: I’d rather eat my shoe – 10: Love: I’d sell my kidney for a meal here)

Food: 8

Value for money: 8

Ambience: 8

Service: 5

#InANutshell

Restaurant name: Las Iguanas, Friar Gate, Derby

Open since: 2014

Covers: 110

Address: 21-23 Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1BX

Opening times: Mon-Sun 9am – 11:30pm

How to make reservation: Telephone / website

Call: 01332 297515

Head Chef: Ramesh

Front of House: Misbah

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Wheelchair friendly: Yes

Whilst in the area: Take a walk up the road to visit Pickford’s House Museum. There will be an exciting Agatha Christie exhibition from 2nd June onwards. Christie is one of my favourite authors (isn’t Poirot the best?), and I’m really looking forward to this exciting exhibition.