**Gifted**

What do you do at the weekend? As I work a jam-packed week, my two days are like precious gold-dust where I try to be constructive with my reading, writing and planning content for my blog.

 

 

Sunday is one of my favourite days of the week, made all the more endearing with the concept of brunch and ‘Bottomless Sundays’.

 

 

Seven Restaurant and Café Derby is one such eatery that is inviting you to sip drinks during their ‘Bottomless Sunday’.

 

 

This means, for £12.50, you can enjoy a range of bottomless drinks for 90 minutes every Sunday. This is an offer that requires you to leave your car at home, but should you arrive with a designated driver, fear not, as there is ample parking.

 

 

I have dined at Seven numerous times but never reviewed. The interior hasn’t changed much over the years, nor would I want it to. Twinkly lights hang from expansive floor to ceiling windows. The open plan dining means you can hear the gentle buzz of conversation, which adds to the vibrant ambience. It is a sunny Sunday when we dine. A quick glance around the restaurant shows a diverse crowd, from couples to a family with three generations catching up over lunch.

 

 

I order off the à la carte, dining partner orders the Sunday lunch, and we share a few starters. Flatbread and red pepper hummus is beautiful to look at. I almost don’t wish to disturb the serenity of this dish, the perfect pool of chilli oil adding to the depth of the dish. Not to say that I’m a hummus aficionado (now there’s a job title I’d like to have) but I am a fan of hummus and could eat the stuff all day. I like this pimped up version of hummus.

 

The addition of blitzed red pepper in the chickpea base gives the characteristically dense texture a nice lift. This red pepper hummus is greedily scooped up with light, warm flatbread, which doesn’t last long at our table.

 

 

Poached and smoked salmon confit (shallots, capers) is punchy and audacious. I especially like the salmon cooked two ways, which is a real homage to the versatility of salmon and a wider note, fish cooked well.

 

 

Honey roasted goats’ cheese (heritage beetroot, candied walnuts) is a dish that momentarily takes you aback; with numerous pretty components, you don’t really know where to look, or indeed start. However, once I start tucking in (I nibble gloriously gooey goats’ cheese first then take a bite of the Heritage beetroots) I cannot stop. Differing textures, from the beetroot with the bite, to hardened candied nuts renders this dish playful, grown up, and altogether delicious.

 

 

My main of pan-fried cod (cannelloni beans, chorizo, spinach) is imposing and grand, the hunk of fish atop a meaty bean stew like a revered king ruling over its subjects. The stew is punchy, and I can taste the rendered oil from the chorizo, spritz of lemon juice and piquant garlic aioli dolloped with gorgeous abandon on the cod skin.

 

 

Dining partner enjoys his pork roast, with fist-sized Yorkshire pudding, succulent pork and generous portion of luxuriously creamy cauliflower cheese. No desserts are chosen, as we are just too full, but I have earmarked the toasted pecan and treacle tart for our next visit.

 

A few honourable mentions are due; firstly for Seven’s standalone vegan and vegetarian menu, which includes dishes such as vegan shakshouka, spiced halloumi and Malaysian roasted vegetable curry.

 

The second noteworthy point is Seven’s range of cocktails, which includes Bellini (my favourite), Aperol Spritz and Amaretto Sour starting at just £5.50.

 

Dining at Seven for Bottomless Sunday is a joy (those twinkly lights get me every time). For scrumptious food and drink that is excellent value for money in a contemporary, chilled out setting, head to Seven Restaurant and Café Bar right now. You can thank me later.

 

Food: 9/10

 

Ambience: 10/10

 

Service: 10/10

 

 

Restaurant name: Seven, Derby

Address: Wheelwright Way, Derby DE24 8SQ

Opening times:

Mon-Fri           8am–11pm

Sat                   9am–11pm

Sun                  9am–5pm

 

How to make reservation: Telephone and online

Telephone: 01332 332277

Covers: 100

Head chef: Athula

Front of house: Chris / Daniela

Caters for dietary requirements: Yes, do give the chefs notice.

Wheelchair friendly: Yes

Quietest table: 18. There are also two private dining rooms seating 16 people in each, with full WiFi access and visual presentation facilities provided. This is good if you’re looking to host a company lunch with just your colleagues or have a private evening celebration with family.

How to get there: Not far from Derby train station, which is a few minutes’ walk.

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