Back at the Derby Arms

Dodging the heavy showers, we catch the train again to Tattenham Corner, for Sunday lunch at the Derby Arms. Outside nearby was a huge puddle from the downpour, which managed the optical illusion of some of it being higher than the rest. Anyway we were lucky enough to remain dry and settle into our table spot on time at 2.30pm.

I’d been told when I booked that the table would be occupied at 12.30, and we would have to leave by 4.30pm.  I’m never very happy with this sort of policy, but in this case it was totally unnecessary as there were several tables free when we arrived, and even more free when we were ready to leave (actually before 4.30pm as it happened).  Maybe they’d had cancellations because Andy Murray was in the Men’s final.

Both the ladies had the scallops special starter. The pumpkin puree was more of a jus,  which was fine by them, and came with a tangy salad mix.  I ordered a chicken satay  “leaves”, which was a huge portion of rather dry chicken albeit with a good satay sauce.  As it turned out, this was a main course size – they happily changed the bill at the end.

Several huge plates of roast Sunday lunch were carried past – massive Yorkshire puddings – but we went for the normal menu. H had pork fillet wrapped is prosciutto and sage with a blue cheese sauce, which came with half an apple, and also ordered the green and broad bean dish.  As the seared tuna was “off”, B had the linguine with tiger prawns, crab and an attractively spicy chorizo .  I had the lamb rump, with a mound of butternut squash ratatouille – and some excellent piping hot chips.

Two bottles of Rothschild Viognier (£20) took the bill to £110 for 3 – pretty reasonable.

Return to the Fish and Grill

After the previous unhappy experience at the Fish & Grill in South Croydon, I wrote to complain, and got a very good reply from Malcolm John’s PA, with a welcome offer of a free bottle of champagne next time we visited. So as our friend H was visiting, we thought we’d share it with her.  The PA made the booking for us, and sure enough when we turned up the house champagne (normally £39) was on ice at the table.

It was a busy Friday evening, but the service was prompt and attentive with the bread basket (a very tasty selection) coming quickly, though the lead waitress still didn’t smile much.  The choice of starters is impressive, and mains live up to the restaurant’s name. In the end we had the scallops with pomegranate which were excellent, the yellow fin tuna tartare with ginger and white radish which is always very good and deep fried squid with courgettes and artichoke – OK but not so special.

The place was getting quite lively now, but the waiters were very good at keeping people happy and enjoying the evening, giving a nice feel to the place: smart but not formal.

The market fish of the day was Dover sole, which H went for.  It was a good sized fish, and came with a good pile of hot crisp chips. B’s choice was stir-fried Atlantic Prawns, also a good size, with plenty of depth of flavour. I had the seafood mixed grill – a fine selection of swordfish, sea bass, prawns and mussels – good but probably just the sum of its parts.  We washed this down with a couple of bottles of Argentinian Viognier at £23 each, bringing the total with service to £154 for a very pleasant evening.

So top marks to Malcolm John for handling our complaint well, and for another good meal.  The gesture won’t have cost them much, but has re-confirmed us as regulars there, and at his other restaurants.

Hampton Court bistro

Over at Hampton Court for the Flower Show, we go with our friend D to Blubeckers for a meal beforehand.  Blubeckers is now part of a small chain called Home Counties Pub Restaurants,  though this one is not pub-like at all, more bistro style: lots of moody black and white photos on the wall.  Quite a relaxed vibe, and perfectly situated for the Palace, as it is right across the road from the gates.

We arrived about 3.30pm, as D had a voucher for 20% off it we arrived before 4pm.   It was reasonably busy for that time of day, with several other people going to the show.  It’s a big place though, with an attractive upstairs reached by a spiral staircase.

D had the deep fried calamari to start – very nicely cooked in a dry batter, and supported by a chilli and garlic dip. B had the crab cakes which were also good, with lots of crab.  My tempura king prawns were less successful, the batter being rather soggy and the prawns not very flavourful; the mango salsa it came with was good though.

For mains, D had the Moroccan chicken which was a good sized portion with lots of sauce.  B had the salmon teriyaki, which was not such a good size, though it did have a good sauce.  My seabass fillets with prawns and ginger were good, though they could have done with more ginger.

With 2 bottles of a NZ Sauvignon Blanc (£18.95 each), this came to £100, less the £20 discount.  Certainly good value at that price, and pretty good anyway.   Probably not worth going out of your way for, but if you’re around there it’s a good choice.