Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-location">THE LOCATION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="754" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/IMG_8951-1-1024x754.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2254" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/IMG_8951-1-1024x754.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/IMG_8951-1-300x221.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/IMG_8951-1-768x566.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/IMG_8951-1-1536x1131.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/IMG_8951-1-2048x1508.jpg 2048w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/IMG_8951-1-713x525.jpg 713w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Perched on the edge of a pretty village green (complete with picture-perfect red telephone box and post box), <a href="https://www.cowdalbury.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cow</a> looks every bit the quintessential village inn. Surrounded by fields, fields and, yes, more fields, it may feel like it’s a million miles from anywhere but actually Derby and Burton-upon-Trent are only six miles away.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/2-3-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2257" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/2-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/2-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/2-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/2-3-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/2-3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>This 19<sup>th</sup> century  inn was given a boutique makeover in 2017. Stripped back to reveal the heritage and character of the original building, it also opened 12 gorgeous en suite guest rooms.</p>



<p>This year it looks set to really put itself on the map, with new Cornish chef Nathan Senior and his passion for fresh seafood. With supplies from boats in Newlyn, Looe, Mevagissey and other Cornish ports, Senior has set up a system to take fish landed on the day, packed on ice and delivered to The Cow the next morning. The result? The Catch at The Cow, where fresh fish has top billing alongside more traditional Derbyshire fare.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="853" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-bar-x-853x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2558" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-bar-x-853x1024.jpg 853w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-bar-x-250x300.jpg 250w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-bar-x-768x922.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-bar-x-438x525.jpg 438w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-bar-x.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px" /></figure>



<p>Traditional English country pub with a touch of contemporary style and whimsy, The Cow is laid-back and rustic yet somehow feels classy and special. It’s friendly, comforting and warm with open fires, pretty low lighting and plenty of nooks and cosy corners. Whimsical touches like the milk churn and tractor seat bar stools and the urn of &#8216;dog gin&#8217; give it a laid-back, contemporary feel.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-and-quaff">SCOFF AND QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="853" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-mussels-starter-x-853x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2561" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-mussels-starter-x-853x1024.jpg 853w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-mussels-starter-x-250x300.jpg 250w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-mussels-starter-x-768x922.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-mussels-starter-x-438x525.jpg 438w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-mussels-starter-x.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px" /><figcaption>Fresh Cornish mussels</figcaption></figure>



<p>As someone who was brought up in Cornwall and<em> loves </em>seafood (I’ve been known to eat sushi for breakfast), I was really excited to try the Cornish cuisine. Finding fresh, high-quality fish in the middle of landlocked Derbyshire isn’t easy. In fact finding high-quality food that isn’t bog-standard pub grub in the middle of Derbyshire isn’t easy, so my hopes were high.</p>



<p>Always a sucker for fresh crab, I ordered the Panko-coated Crab Cakes with crab chutney, shrimp fritters and sweet chilli sauce. I wasn’t disappointed. Vibrant flavours and an incredible mix of textures (crispy prawns and those delicious crispy breadcrumbs vibing with the butter-soft crab centre and smooth sauce), we were off to a cracking start.</p>



<p>My foodie friend plumped for the Cornish Mussels and, between ooh’s and ahh’s declared them sweet, soft and the best she’s ever eaten.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="853" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-seabass-main-853x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2562" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-seabass-main-853x1024.jpg 853w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-seabass-main-250x300.jpg 250w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-seabass-main-768x922.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-seabass-main-438x525.jpg 438w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-seabass-main.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px" /><figcaption>Seabass with hasselbacks, wild mushroom cream sauce and tenderstem</figcaption></figure>



<p>For the main event, we both gave in to the show-stopping-sounding seafood specials (try saying that after a gin or two). Although the focus is Cornish seafood, the rest of the menu has plenty to tempt those who’d prefer more meat dishes and there are delicious sounding veggie options too.</p>



<p>But for me it was Seabass with hasselback potatoes, wild mushroom cream sauce and tenderstem broccoli. Now this was something else. Incredibly fresh-tasting seabass gently laid on a bed of the tasty, crispy hasselback potatoes and teeny-tiny mushrooms that looked like they’d been served up from a fairytale. Really impressive. This was some of the best seafood I’ve eaten.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="853" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-gurnard-main-x-853x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2563" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-gurnard-main-x-853x1024.jpg 853w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-gurnard-main-x-250x300.jpg 250w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-gurnard-main-x-768x922.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-gurnard-main-x-438x525.jpg 438w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-gurnard-main-x.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px" /><figcaption>Pan-fried gurnard with potato rosti, pea and bacon fricassée and cauliflower purée </figcaption></figure>



<p>My friend’s Pan-fried Gurnard with potato rosti, pea and bacon fricassée, cauliflower purée and gravy was equally stellar. Meaty but light fish (from the cod family) and a show-stopping mixture of surf and turf flavours. For the next five minutes, all conversation died and our only utterances were mmm’s, ooo’s and ahh’s.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="853" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-white-choc-mousse-x-853x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2564" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-white-choc-mousse-x-853x1024.jpg 853w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-white-choc-mousse-x-250x300.jpg 250w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-white-choc-mousse-x-768x922.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-white-choc-mousse-x-438x525.jpg 438w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-white-choc-mousse-x.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px" /><figcaption>White chocolate mousse with raspberry jelly and blackcurrant sorbet</figcaption></figure>



<p>Portion sizes are spot on, so we were nicely but not belt-bustingly full. But with food this good, it would have been rude to decline dessert. My dessert-averse friend (who only ever orders cheese after a meal) wasn’t interested so I chose – White Chocolate Mousse with Raspberry Jelly and Blackcurrant Sorbet.</p>



<p>Wow. Another incredible dish. The creamy, but not soggy, white chocolate mousse with a delicate balance of flavours that chimed perfectly with the sharpness of the raspberry jelly and blackcurrant sorbet. And those textures. This chef knows how to balance texture, flavours and really make a dish sing. When my dinner companion tasted it? Eyes closed, spoon coming back for more already, all she could muster was, ‘Mmmm, smashed it out of the park’.</p>



<p>The impressive gin menu (30 of ‘em) looked tempting, but we were driving down dark country lanes so ‘just’ had sparkling water. And yes, you guessed it, even the water was exceptional. Not one I’d had before – Llanllyr Source – but it was soft, with tiny bubbles and a delight to drink. Almost didn’t miss the gin. Almost.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay">STAY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/4-2-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2259" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/4-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/4-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/4-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/4-2-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/11/4-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>It’s White Company cool meets country calm in the 12 beautiful boutique bedrooms. Light and bright with pale timber cladding, these are lovely, grownup rooms. No matter how muddy, windswept and chaotic you might be feeling on arrival, you can’t help but feel serene once you step inside your gorgeous New England style room.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-and-about">OUT AND ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="853" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-at-night-exterior-x-853x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2565" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-at-night-exterior-x-853x1024.jpg 853w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-at-night-exterior-x-250x300.jpg 250w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-at-night-exterior-x-768x922.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-at-night-exterior-x-438x525.jpg 438w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/12/The-Cow-at-night-exterior-x.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px" /></figure>



<p>It’s a rural, peaceful spot all right &#8211; Dalbury Lees had just 306 residents at the last count, but it is only a stone’s throw from civilisation. Convenient for Derby, Ashbourne and Burton, it’s also at the southern tip of the Peak District and, being dog-friendly, is perfect for a weekend of head-clearing Peak walks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muddy-verdict">MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p>The food is the star here. Unpretentious, incredible mix of flavours and ridiculously fresh, The Cow deserves a reputation as one of the finest seafood restaurants in Derbyshire. I’ve been recommending it to anyone who’ll listen.</p>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>Foodies, and seafoodies in particular. The Cow is a breath of salty fresh air in landlocked Derbyshire. With delicious food, a warm atmosphere and acres of peace and quiet outside, it’s a brilliant place for a night’s escape away from the kids. It’s the sort of place it would be a treat to be snowed in at for the weekend (as long as the fish delivery gets through!).</p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>Those looking for pub grub and a quick drink. Sorry, with food this good, it’s wasted on you.</p>



<p><strong>The damage: </strong>For the quality of the food, I think the prices are a steal. Starters range from about £6 &#8211; £14, while mains start at £12, with seafood specials coming in around £27. Most desserts are £6.90, with the cheese platter coming in at £10.50.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.cowdalbury.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cow</a>, The Green, Dalbury Lees, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 5BE</em>. <em>Tel: 01332 824297</em>.</p>


Muddy reviews: The Cow, Dalbury Lees

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