Find out what our blogger Ria Amber Tesia thought of this out of town eatery.
Grey skies of the wettest June on record mimic the drab autumnal months. When it’s dark outside, I crave hearty food, which is why I found myself hopping along to Littleover Lodge. I have dined here before, and as a regular and fan of the place, I was expecting another good meal.
The menu at Littleover Lodge has all the hallmarks of hearty fare, and is that magically versatile place, that feels warm and cosy in the winter months, and light and airy on a warm summer’s evening. Since dining there last year, Littleover Lodge has undergone a major transformation. The owners have done away with the Bentley Restaurant (its posher sibling) and rolled out casual dining throughout. The décor is stylish with a contemporary twist, and the lovely space is warm and welcoming, mainly due to the carvery station that feels volcano hot mid-service.
It is a compact, reasonably priced menu that has something for everyone. The bar itself is quite small and is prone to getting quite busy, as food and drink orders are placed here. After ordering drinks and securing a table, we planted in the dining area.
I ordered the carvery (quelle surprise) and tried to keep my hunger pangs at bay, as the server loaded up my plate with slivers of hot turkey. At the carvery, you are served meat (from a selection of pork, beef and turkey), one Yorkshire pudding, and roast potatoes. Now, being a fan of roasties, not being given enough of these gorgeous morsels is a little annoying. I was expecting more than just the one to be plonked on my plate.
Yes, I was served one tiny roast potato. That is two halves. As I stared in disbelief at the meagre offering, it took me a few seconds to get over the shock… and I had to ask for more. I was then dished another half. That is a grand total of one and a half roast potatoes. I was too hungry to care, which is when I started loading up my plate with stuffing, peas and parsnips.
This was one very tasty carvery indeed. The meat was succulent, the stuffing oniony and tasty, the fist-sized Yorkshire pudding crunchy and very good indeed. My only niggle – is the inadequate, almost derisory roast potato offering.
My dining partner had the Bavette Steak Sandwich, served with chips. He has ordered this before, yet this was the best he had ever tasted. The meat was melt in your mouth, the filling generous, and the homemade bread a delight to sink your teeth into. It was so good, that we had to ask who had cooked it. Elizabeth Hunt was the lady who cooked dishes on the night – if she’s in the kitchens on the night of your dinner, you won’t be disappointed.
I did mention to the manager in charge to perhaps be more liberal with the roast potato servings in future. He said he would speak to the server in question and get this rectified for next time. I have since been back – and still been served one only roast potato. It’s a real pity, as I love this place. My dining partner continues to have fond memories of his Bavette Steak Sandwich, and the food is great, which is why Littleover Lodge continues to be one of my favourite spaces in Derby.
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: 8
Value for money: 8
Ambience: 9
Service: 4 (down to the unfortunate, cardinal sin of lack of roast potatoes).
Total: 29 / 40
Have you been here? What did you think?