Open Arms Were Very Inviting
IT was summer 2008, so naturally it was cold, wet and miserable.
Secret Service had foolishly packed a picnic and had been hoping for an al fresco dining experience in the grounds of Calke Abbey.
So outdoor living was abandoned and Secret Service and three rather drowned companions descended on The Melbourne Arms at a ghastly early hour on a Saturday evening looking for beer and sympathy.
The welcome was warm, even if the summer was not, and a table by the window was offered where we could watch the rain tumble down and congratulate ourselves on making the right decision.
The Melbourne Arms is an old pub on the busy Ashby Road with a big car park, a large bar, bed and breakfast accommodation and Cuisine India – its restaurant.
Here the confident staff serve you with a smile and, it seems, nothing is too much trouble. When a weak-bladdered companion took a rest stop just as the starters arrived, a waiter quickly offered to take their food away and keep it hot.
We started with popadums and pickles – requested, as is typical in curry houses, before we received our menus. On a later check of the bill we did notice that we had also been given a "special pickle tray" which we barely noticed as well as the standard one. Not really a complaint at a modest £1.50 but a restaurant with such good service probably should point out exactly what you will be getting and paying for.
On the plus side on the final bill, we noticed that the prices of a half of Cobra was exactly 50 per cent of the cost of a pint. It should be so but a lot of restaurants exact a premium for ordering halves rather than pints.
The menu was extensive and, as in most curry houses, exceptionally good for vegetarians. Indeed, even a devout meat eater was tempted by one of the veggie options and ended up getting the best dish of the night.
That was tandoori mushrooms – which arrived on a sizzling skillet and offered a generous portion with a great taste to match the size.
Your spy opted for Kashmiri ki kali, a blend of subtle spices offering a mild, creamy dish that went well with the sweetness of a peshwari nan bread.
Another companion was so delighted with chicken lazawab that she refused to share a mouthful. Your spy sulked but kept all the Kasmiri ki kali to strike back.
The fourth member of the party also opted for a vegetarian special and was impressed with the care taken by the waiters to discover just how hot the dish was required. It arrived exactly as requested.
The variety of tastes in all the main dishes was a good sign too, suggesting that the food wasn't prepared from a standard base of spices as sometimes is the case.
Starters were equally good. The selection was typical but well done – vegetable samosa, mixed pakoras and the garlic mushroom puri were all appreciated.
The onion bhajee was a bit on the greasy side but that was the only hint of complaint.
The food arrived swiftly but despite being a Saturday night we were never hurried away from our table.
Indeed, a couple of extra drinks and a coffee were ordered and our party lingered longer than many restaurants might have liked without any hints that we were unwelcome to do so.
It was still raining as we left but the weather had ceased to dampen our spirits, thanks to the fine food and warm service we had received.
A card was picked up on the way out and a reminder written on the back – "Next time someone suggests a picnic dial this number and book a table instead".
Article from Derby Evening Telegraph - Saturday, September 06, 2008
