10 August 2015

The Farmhouse at Mackworth: Restaurant Review

There's only one thing to do when you find that the weather has gone all British Summertime on you... pack yourself off in search of a cosy Sunday lunch.

So with the rain beating down and temperatures reaching not-so-sizzling heights, my husband and I pulled up at The Farmhouse at Mackworth.





Even my poor choice of footwear and inability to sidestep puddles was forgotten when we arrived to a crackling fire and friendly greeting from the perky staff.



The Farmhouse looks like a pretty country pub from the outside and there are elements of that inside too, all jazzed up with some very cool finishing touches.

Like these ridiculously beaut floors.




We settled in at a table in the conservatory with views out over the rolling Derbyshire countryside.

Though I *possibly* spent longer ogling the mouth-watering menu. There's plenty on offer without being overbearing. Classics with a modern twist, a whole a section on wood-fired pizzas and a very tempting steak menu for the meat fans.

I started with chorizo, roasted pepper and potato hash with a duck egg. Deliciously peppery chorizo, crispy spuds, oozing egg... this made a great start.

My date had the smoked mackeral and horseradish pate with grilled sourdough. I didn't get a snap but suffice to say that it tasted hella good.

Next stop mains. I'd been eyeing up the pan fried sea bass, charcoal charred vegetable salad, crispy olives and tomato salsa but when I put my order in, was told that the sea bass comes cold.

Given the temps, I backtracked and went for ale battered fish, triple cooked chips, mushy garden peas, rapeseed mayonnaise and tarter sauce.



Fish so big it wanted to be in erry damn picture.



The fish was beautifully cooked and I loved that the batter wasn't too heavy. Now let's talk about the chips. They were insanely good. I think they were cooked in beef dripping because ohmydays they reminded me of half terms spent eating fish and chips by the seaside in Sherringham.

My husband went for the rump steak with triple cooked chips, marrow fat butter, soy-glazed beef tomato, confit garlic mushroom and creamed spinach. The steaks are cooked quickly in a super hot oven for extra smokiness and this certainly went down well.



By now, we were getting pretty full. Then the dessert menu came over and my face did this.

^ "Shall we?"

I decided on something healthy. Crispy fried ice cream with caramelised banana and butterscotch sauce. BUT IT HAD SOLD OUT.

Was this nature's way of telling me to stop being such a glutton? If so, it did not work because the salted chocolate tart and caramel ice cream was soon on order.



I was pleasantly surprised by this. Usually salt on sweets is not my thing but it was so yummy, like a mouthful of grown up chocolate ganache sweetened with the tastiest ice cream.

My husband had the vanilla panna cotta, poached summer fruits and lemon biscotti, which tasted good but was a bit gelatinous.

Completely full, I went for a mosey around to soak up more decorating inspiration.




We left with full bellies and vows to return so I can get my mitts on that deep fried ice cream.

The Farmhouse at Mackworth is a great spot for long, languid lunches with friends and family. The restaurant is divided up into several rooms so even though it can get pretty busy, you won't feel hemmed in. And there's always the option of booking a room if you just can't tear yourself away from that cosy fire and impressive wine cellar.
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4 comments

  1. I have just realised that I was reviewing this restaurant on the table next to you at the same time. How funny! The staff must've wondered what was going on with all the cameras out at once x

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  2. Ah Emily! I knew there was a kindred spirit sat opposite. Was it your dad who was very patiently waiting while you snapped your mains and eventually sighed and said: "CAN WE EAT THE PIZZA NOW?"

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    1. How funny! I was with my grandparents as they live in Mackworth - he's new to the food blogger way of things! Great to find a local blogger too. I'm at recipesandreviews.co.uk :) Going to look at your other reviews now! xx

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