You know when you find a restaurant review from last year, which you wrote up, but somehow forgot to publish? That. Ladies and gentlemen, please find as follows a lovely restaurant review that I discovered during house-keeping. Please note, this was from last year. I will be reviewing Ibérico World Tapas Derby again imminently, so expect a brand new review very soon. Enjoy. 

Ibérico World Tapas Derby is a restaurant based on Bold Lane in the historic Cathedral Quarter of Derby. It’s critically acclaimed food (having been finalists for Restaurant of the Year in 2015 at Derby’s Food and Drink Awards) means this is one of the region’s leading foodie hotspots.

From stepping foot into the tastefully decorated entrance, you know you’re in for a treat. Set in a gorgeous Grade II listed building that was formerly the Magistrate’s Court, the 80 cover restaurant has an eclectic décor with a Moroccan twist.

The foyer oozes cool luxe, and the concierge know how to take care of their customers. Within seconds, you’ll find your coat miraculously swished away, following the waiters as they glide through the restaurant to show you to your seat.

I had the Express Lunch Offer for a quick bite to eat during my lunch break. Service was with a smile and brilliantly efficient. It’s a lovely space and the waiters were knowledgeable and wonderfully courteous.

Catalan Bread
Catalan Bread

The lunch menu consisted of Catalan Bread, two tapas and dessert. The bread (toasted and topped with tomato, garlic, herbs) was perfectly pleasant and on the right side of garlicky.

My two tapas dishes were Grilled Mussels (with spicy allioli and tobiko) and Triple Cooked Patatas Bravas.

Patatas Bravas
Patatas Bravas

The mussels came nestled in their own shell with a snippet of spring onion topped with an unctuous cheese mixture – which can only be described as little mouthfuls of heaven. The cheese and onion combination is classic, but I’ve not seen this paired with fish, which is inventive and genius in equal measure.

Grilled Mussels
Grilled Mussels

The tobiko (flying fish roe) was beautiful and elevated the dish to Michelin levels of magnificence. Tobiko is usually seen in sushi, and it was really clever to use it for dramatic value and to augment the fish flavour of the mussels. Now, I’ve had mussels before, but these were the best I have ever tasted. Hat-tip to the chef whom I believe has magic fingers for creating such a fantastic dish.

The Patatas Bravas were wonderfully crunchy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside. The potatoes went very well with the allioli, for a light and dreamy, creamy kick.

Churros
Churros

For dessert, it had to be Churros and Hot Chocolate. These were generously long fingers of deliciously crisp pastry. The sauce was nice (I have a very sweet tooth so would have preferred it sweeter), but overall, it was a good bowl of gooey loveliness.

There is a decent selection on the food menu and the wine offering doesn’t disappoint either, which includes a comprehensive list of sherries too.

For delicious food that doesn’t cost the Earth, and which will make you feel as if you’ve dined in an exclusive eatery, do check out Ibérico now.

Star Rating 1-10 (1: “I’d rather eat my own shoe, I hated it that much” – 10: “I’d pillage for a meal here”.)

Food: 10

Value for money: 9

Ambience: 10

Rate or Slate? Rate.

Catalan bread, 2 tapas and dessert £12.95 per person.

Address: 9-11 Bold Lane, Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 3NT Tel: 01332 345 456

Website: www.ibericotapas.com/locations/derby