*Review by invite*

As The Beast from the East curls its icy fingers around the country, you may be craving special food as a treat that you made it into work without ignominiously slipping on the frosty ground, or calling in sick.

With temperatures dipping to -8°C, now is the time to give yourself a pat on the back for surviving the icy snap, by tucking into delicious food that will leave you joyful about life. And so it was that me and dining partner found ourselves at the Littleover Lodge Bar & Dining one Wednesday evening.

scallops

We started with pan-seared scallops and gin cured salmon. Beautifully burnished tender scallops were a joy to eat, whilst the gin cured salmon had a whisper of a citric, herbal tang. I loved this starter and could have happily eaten this all evening. The sea-shell half was a nice touch, which provided a great focal point to the centre of the plate and didn’t let you forget about the slivers of gin-laced goodness that lay there.

mine

My main of Chicken Supreme (fondant potato, chargrilled baby leeks, Chantenay carrots, red wine jus) was a very classy main.

Perfectly seasoned succulent chicken cooked on the bone was the crowning glory for the fondant. I would have liked to see more of the butter-soft fondant, but that’s only because it was so darn delicious.

lamb

Dining partner had lamb shoulder (crushed buttered new potatoes, French beans, sugar snap peas ,redcurrant and shallot gravy) which was eaten in near silence.

He loved his dish and couldn’t stop munching it. It’s a good thing I’m not a jealous girlfriend, because that tender, velvety lamb was getting a heck of a lot of attention. I swiped a forkful and found the gravy to be delicious in all its oniony glory. A shallot base for a gravy is a great call; I prefer using shallots to onions, as I find them more fragrant and sweeter in flavour, with a hint of garlic that comes through towards the very end of the swallow.

lemon-tart

My dessert of warm chocolate brownie (honeycomb and vanilla ice cream) was very good, with the slightly warmed brownie having a deliciously fudgy interior. The star of the show was partner’s lemon tart meringue (lemon sorbet). Buttery pastry with a gorgeously soft crumb felt luxurious on the palate, whilst zingy lemon provided the custardy filling with a Tom Thumb kick.

The restaurant was busy with a diverse crowd (mainly couples of course), and there was a delectable buzz during the whole evening. Live music was a treat, and we were seated not far from the crooner-live musician who strummed and sang everything from Sinatra to Winehouse.

Now, it is most excellent to dine whilst listening to soft acoustic music in the background, and I wish more restaurants offered this.

I am mad keen on jazz music (listening to a live pianist or saxophonist whilst dining would be sheer heaven) so you’re reading this Littleover Lodge, and you want to continue to be a doll, and play live music, please, please make it happen and I promise to patronise your establishment for ever more.

For tasty, accomplished food that is a joy to eat, and a buzzy atmosphere, head over to Littleover Lodge Bar and Dining. See you there.

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

Food: 9.5

Value for money: 9

Ambience: 10

Service: 10

#InANutshell

Restaurant name: Littleover Lodge Bar & Dining

Owners: Nicholas Crooks & Family

Head Chef: Guy Edwards

General Manager: Nicholas Crooks

Front of House: Ross, Karina, Sophie, Maciej

Open since: 2000

Covers: 90 restaurant, 30 bar, 35 outside

Address: 222 Rykneld Rd, Derby DE23 4AN

Opening times vary dependent upon offering:

Gastro

Monday – Thursday 12.00pm – 9.00pm

Friday & Saturday 12.00pm-9.30pm

Sunday 12.00pm – 8.30pm

Stone-baked Pizzas

Monday & Tuesday 4.00pm – 9.00pm

Wednesday & Thursday 4.00pm – 9.00pm

Friday 2.00pm – 10.00pm

Saturday 12.00pm – 10.00pm

Sunday 12.00pm – 9.00pm

Carvery

  • Monday – Friday Lunch 12:00pm – 2.00pm
  • Sunday 12.00pm – 8.30pm

Evergreen menu (pub classics for senior guests)

  • Monday – Friday 12:00pm – 2:00pm

Sample dishes include vegetarian lasagne, traditional liver and onions, and a two course option with traditional desserts.

Bar

  • Sunday – Thursday 12.00pm – 11.00pm
  • Friday & Saturday 12.00pm – Late

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Whilst in the area: Take a stroll through leafy Littleover after your meal. Park your car on the premises and sneak in a cheeky swift half (one for the road of course) before you head back home.