Find out what our blogger Jenny Bakes thought about this new city centre bohemian restaurant.
Over the past year Derby has welcomed an array of quirky, exciting new places to eat and socialise.
Located in the heart of the city; Carnero Lounge on St Peters street is owned by parent company Loungers who also own the Cosy Club which has just opened across the road.
As we arrived to the mid-week launch, the colourful bohemian restaurant was packed full of local businesses and media enjoying the taster menu and generous open bar.
For the opening night they served a selection of tapas dishes, including chorizo with garlic, red onion and red wine which was meaty and flavoursome, as well as the patatas bravas with roasted garlic mayo. I have to admit this is my favourite tapas dish (boring I know) but the generous chunky potatoes and oodles of tomato and garlic mayo certainly didn’t disappoint. There was also halloumi, courgettes & peppers pan-fried in rose harissa which was beautifully cooked and roasted sweet potato & butternut squash with goat’s cheese & chipotle chilli jam – the combination of flavours really shone in this dish.
And finally, we also tried the honey-glazed shredded five-spice pork, this was super sweet and felt like you could roll it up in a pancake and have it for dessert.
The tapas dishes are served with ciabatta at £3.75 each or 3 for £9.95, which is great value for money.
Even though the venue was busy the food and drinks kept flowing and the staff were really friendly and attentive.
The menu caters for everyone at any time of day, including a gluten free and vegan menu, as well as a children’s menu so if you’re looking for a mid-shopping brunch or some tasty tapas Carnero Lounge has it all.
I will certainly be returning to this cosy retro restaurant to sample some more of the menu and to try some tempting cocktails.
Have you been to Carnero Lounge? What did you think of it?