Fischer's at Baslow Hall, Derbyshire

Fischer’s at Baslow Hall holds one Michelin star and is ranked 29th in 2014 Good Food Guide. Based in Baslow, Derbyshire It is about an hour’s drive from Manchester. Billed as a restaurant with rooms the decor retains a homely feel which is the intended approach by patrons Max and Susan Fisher.

We were greeted with parsnip crisps and humous which made for a fantastic snack whilst we enjoyed drinks and looked over the menus. Having travelled from so far, in Mr Noms case a train from Liverpool to Manchester followed by a drive to Baslow, we decided to treat ourselves with the Taste of Britain lunch time tasting menu. A very reasonable £50 per head for seven courses.

 

First up was a chestnut and apple soup, festive and comforting flavours with sweet notes from the apple. This was served with hazelnut and raisin bread which was surprising good and we couldn't say no to seconds! The other choice was stout and black treacle, whilst also being exceptional it was outshone by the hazelnut and raisin bread.

 

 

The next dish had me intrigued as it carried an Asian twist, tempura of quail breast with confit leg and teriyaki jelly. A pleasant dish but could of done without the seaweed around the quail.

 

Pumpkin panna cotta was presented like as an egg yolk, a simple light yet tasty plate with pumpkin seeds to add some crunch to the dish 

 

I was looking forward to the next course of Roast Whitby lobster with peanut, mango and coconut and was pleasantly surprised when the accompaniment to the lobster was in a curry form. The flavours were delicate and the peanut complimented the well-cooked lobster.

 

The final savoury course was oxtail with smoked bone marrow. This was Mr Noms type of dish judging by how fast he wolfed it down, but the smokiness was rather overpowering for me. Also a bit simplistic in presentation when compared to the prior courses.

 

 

The first dessert was elderflower, turmeric and damson. I was unsure about this dessert as I didn't enjoy the turmeric with the fruity flavours and it soon melted into slush.

 

Chocolate tree trunk, lime sorbet and orange chocolate mousse. This was beautifully presented like an enchanted tree. Both flavours work well with chocolate but having both of them on the plate was too much for me personally and I think they clashed. Mr Nom however thought it was superb.

 

 

In keeping with the old school feel the bill was presented to us hand-written.  Overall it was a good lunch and worth trying.