The sun is shining for once so we head off on the short train ride to Tattenham Corner, for a healthy (and blowy!) walk around Epsom Downs. We stop off at the Rubbing House by the racecourse finishing line for a glass, before heading on to the Derby Arms at the back of the Grandstand for lunch. This is one of a small chain of 8 or so pubs in the area including the Ramblers Rest at Chipstead and the Bell at Godstone.
It has a similar laid back style to the others as well – dark stone floors, solid wood tables. We arrive around 2pm, and it is still fairly busy, but it’s a large enough place and we get a table easily. Bread with oil and vinegar arrive promptly after ordering, as does the bottle of Verdejo (£22) – we like “quick wine”.
For starters I have the kofta sumac, which comes with a sweet chilli sauce rather than the tsatsiki advertised. This is presented as two lollipops of meat with an interesting garnish, and goes down well. B has the soft shell crab. This is deemed to be OK, in a nice batter, but not as good as ones at our favourite Malaysian in town.
Mains are tuna for B – asked for pink, and this isn’t really, but it’s not too dry either – and seabass broth with pak choi for me. This is excellent, the fish cooked accurately and the broth full of interesting flavours, with ginger, soy and a hint of chilli.
The bill comes to £70 without service, which there is no opportunity to add on the machine. So we leave cash, which probably is easier for the staff. Despite the minor reservations, this is a pleasant place to eat, one to which we’ll no doubt be back sometime.
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