Darley's Restaurant

Darleys Restaurant has always been known as the epitome of fine dining in Derby. Situated along the water front of the Darley Abbey Mills, it boasts an intimate setting in one of the most beautiful areas of the city, and the service and standard are said to be like no other in the area. 

For many years I have wanted to try Darleys, and last night had the opportunity to! It's changed ownership a handful of times since I've known about it, but a 2021 michelin award still hangs above the entrance door declaring it's reputation and I had heard on the grapevine that the latest owners, local father-and-son duo Lee Bebbington and Robert Ellis, we're doing an incredible job of raising the profile of the restaurant and bringing people back through it's doors.

With the local area under some pressure to rebuild (the footbridge has been closed since 2022) and little to no parking in the area, Darleys has it's challenges, but do the food and the service hold up to their reputation?

Our evening meal was the bistro meal which details 3 courses of local produce and a complimentary glass of champagne brut or elderflower fizz for £35 a head. There is an option to purchase additional sides, drinks, and after dinner coffees, but altogether the bistro option is a very reasonable option for those wanting to experience Darleys. 

Our server was on hand regularly and made sure we had everything we needed - from pulling out chairs, taking coats and regularly refilling the table water and pouring our drinks. Not over-bearing but always within eye sight, which meant we could enjoy our meal knowing that service was easy to get if needed. 

The atmosphere of the venue was intimate, with soft mood lighting and a beige aesthetic that left you feeling like you were seated in luxury. No table cloths was an experience I actually preferred, and the interior was clean and maintained. They clearly take pride in the experience as a whole and little touches like having less tables further apart meant that diners could experience an intimate dinner without the general hubbub of a busy restaurant. This is clearly the place to go if you want to eat in a relaxed setting and be able to hear what your table is saying!

Everything on the menu was delicious. To start I had the wild garlic veloute which came with a caramelised onion butter on sourdough. Presented beautifully, the dish reflected the standard set, and with subtle garlic hits and a lemon hint throughout it was a dish I wish never ended. Sourdough when toasted can often become unbearably hard, but that wasn't the case in this instance and it complemented the dish well - garlic and onion really are a match made in heaven. 

Stonebass was my main of choice which came with a warm fennel salad, ratte potato and amela tomato. I don't think I've ever tried a dish similar. The fennel salad had a hint of spice whilst the creamy mash soothed the pallette. The fish was delicately cooked and flaked on the fork, and it was all brought together with a generous amount of sauce. The serving size of this surprised me - normally dining places such as this opt for the more moderate portion - but this dish could have easily been standalone. 

The true recommendation from me was the dessert. I'm normally a savoury girl, but at fine dining restaurants I find their ability to  balance the flavours marvellous on my pallette and I'm suddenly all about the 3rd course. I opted for the forced rhubarb (one of my favourite seasonal fruits) and the sharpness and sweetness of this dish truly was a delight. With pieces of rhubarb taking centre and a milk meringue adding crunch, this dish was my favourite of the evening.

Coffee and petite fours followed and, due to my birthday being this week, a dish with 'happy birthday' scroll and more petit fours was brought out (a lovely personal addition), making the entire evening one of full satisfaction. The after dinner cappuccino was frothy and strong, and the petite fours were a range of aerated chocolate, vanilla fudge and some kind of orange jelly which really took to my liking! 

All together, this restaurant suits those who like new flavour combinations, fine dining, and good service. I saw a handful of 'happy birthday' plates, so evidently this is the place to go to celebrate a special occasion too. 

LOVES:

(Things that stood out that make this place excellent)

- Servers who were present but not intrusive

- The bathroom is heavenly. Molton Brown amenities and reed diffusers everywhere 

- A bistro menu makes this really accessible.

HATES:

(Things I didn't like about my experience or that let the venue down)

- None

NIT PICKS:

(Tiny things I noticed that don't matter in the grand scheme of things)

- There was a slight bit of dust on the loo roll in the bathroom. I noticed it because there was none anywhere else!

- Tongs for the sugar cubes would have been handy.

- I was expecting napkins to be done by Servers because of the level of service offered everywhere else (gloves were worn when serving for instance). Not a problem, just a surprise.