Find out what our blogger Jenny Bakes thought about this 19th Century canal-side pub in the heart of Willington.
We visited The Dragon for an after work mid-week treat. Upon arrival you could be forgiven for thinking it was a Saturday as it was brimming with pub and restaurant goers embracing the British Summer.
The award winning 150 year-old pub has been extended and renovated to accommodate a new 70 seater restaurant, bar area and courtyard. This traditional pub boasts character and charm with a hint of elegance.
The menu has a selection of dishes including: The Dragon Burger, a homemade Derbyshire beef burger, sour dough bun, bacon, mature cheddar cheese and skinny fries (£10.95) and Satay Chicken and Mango Salad with toasted peanuts, gem lettuce, chilli, coriander and lime dressing (£11.95).
I chose the Pan-fried Sea Bass with chorizo and olive risotto, heritage tomatoes and rocket (£12.95), from the specials menu. The risotto and chorizo complimented the Sea Bass perfectly, although the olives were quite small so you couldn’t really taste them.
My guest opted for a good old British classic, Fresh Haddock with homemade batter, hand cut chips, homemade mushy peas and tartar sauce (£10.95). The fish was delicate and flavoursome and the batter was thick and crispy, not to mention the thick hand cut chips which they enjoyed with a generous dollop of tartar sauce.
For dessert we had the Sticky Toffee Pudding, which was again on the specials menu and was beautiful and rich.
The majority of ingredients are sourced locally from Willington, surrounding villages and their neighbours’ allotments.
Although the staff were really busy they were attentive, polite and friendly.
This was a great place to enjoy a mid-week meal, and certainly one for the bucket list on a sunny day to enjoy some al fresco dining beside the canal.
Have you been to The Dragon before? What did you think?