Deli - a homely country kitchen ambience
Pizza kitchen now open!
We’ve just found out that the pizza kitchen is now open! We need to get to Leicester fast!
Living it up in Leicester!
Every now and then we catch a train from Nottingham and head for Leicester. I have envied the good folks of this city for some time and the reasons are three fold: The Criterion, the Shivalli and the food market. On Saturday, I discovered a fourth reason: the Rutland & Derby tap house and deli: an exceptional example of entrepreneurship created by the talented licensee: Sam Hagger.
Smart, elegant frontage
Smart, elegant frontage
This was our first visit to the Rutland & Derby. It was completely impromptu – we were visiting Leicester to enjoy the aformentioned trio of delights and we were lured inside by the exceptionally well kept appearance of the pub which is handsome, clean and welcoming.
Happy faces and artisan food
Judging from the happy faces behind the bar, the staff love what they are doing and are knowledgeable about their artisan food.
The interior is bright, comfortable and stylish yet homely at the same time: like a farmhouse kitchen. There’s a smart, beer garden and terrace (being enjoyed by an elegant wedding party at the time we visited).
Exposed beams and brickwork
An informed, sincere focus pervades the business and is exemplified not just by the carefully thought out choice of excellent deli food but also by the decor. The roadmap that has been devised for this splendid labour of love is absolutely not something that has just been plucked out of the air. Every detail has been carefully thought through and they know where they’re going with it.
Deli Board
Thirty-six month matured parmesan!
Their food board displays a simple yet innovative and interesting affordable menu that does not compromise on quality. Its ingredients have been sourced from Italian artisan Slow Food suppliers: charcuterie, fine cheeses (thirty-six month matured parmesan!), and antipasti. The coffee beans are roasted locally, and the bread and pies are sourced from a local craft baker. To meet the demand for hot food, a pizza kitchen with two dedicated pizza chefs in the pipeline which should be in place by autumn.
The cask ale (which is available in third of a pint taster glasses) is currently represented by a bunch of Everards ales (Sunchaser, Tiger and Original), Marston’s Pedigree, and Adnam’s Broadside. We tried the Broadside and Sunchaser and can happily report they were both well kept and well presented. Apparently, this is just the beginning and we can expect more and varied cask ales in the near future.
So that’s how to do it right. I wish this new pub every success particularly now that Trent Barton are running the Nottingham to Leicester express making the opportunity of a great day out in Leicester all the more affordable!
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3 comments
Sam Hagger says:
Good News Guys! The Pizza Kitchen is now Open!
Dave says:
Thanks for the heads up Sam! Hope to be in your neck of the woods soon – we’ll pay a visit!
Rachel P says:
Best place in town! Nice pub – good for chilling.