The Elephant and Peacock — Restaurant in Amber Valley

I very rarely leave a negative review. I must make it clear that we did not eat at the Elephant and Peacock.

3 families, all over 18, arranged to meet at the venue for some drinks on Monday 30th June. The website advertises the venue as a “Indian dining, public house & rooms”. A hot sunny day we arrived about 18:30 only to be turned away at the bar being told they were only serving hotel guests on a Monday. I would have thought a venue in the hospitality business would have welcomed the custom, but also as we are all local we would have had a chance to check out the venue and you never know we could well have returned for a meal another day. The Elephant and Peacock obviously don’t need the business and we won’t be back.

**Noticed on 28th July the Elephant and Peacock is now closed on a Monday, but only to be expected if they turn away custom.

• In response to the owners reply. Please see the attached photo which shows the lovely parking fine I received from your managed car park. I was so flabbergasted at being refused service I completely forgot to register my car. Note this 1 star review did not mention the parking nor was it a problem as it was my fault. It was also the day of my Sons school leaving party at Milford Hall around the corner so I know I visited your establishment on that date and you are talking Peacock.

*In reply to your updated reply 😂

Thank you for your offer to cancel the parking fine. Unfortunately it was already paid.

So I think I understand that you are closed on a Monday (as advertised on your website), except for some Bank holidays, or for special occasions. We have obviously walked in on one of your special occasions. Just out of interest what was your special occasion on Monday 30th June? If you can let me know I’ll be happy to delete...

Came here to dine in a group of 4 guests on New Years Eve '24. We had one guest who is completely lactose intolerant which we omitted to mention when booking as we can usually work round it with careful menu selection .. but the E&P team took it in their stride and were able to come up with great alternative options at no notice! (pretty amazing in itself!) Meal was off the scale delicious from start to finish and no shortage of it either .. a LOT of food, not overspiced, and all just mouth-wateringly taste-ful. Service was spot on, no rushing, no long-waits, and always with a smile. Staff really were super helpful. Evening entertainment .. DJ plus a wandering sax player. The majority of guests seemed to have wandered off to enjoy the midnight countdown back home after they'd dined out. We stayed til after midnight, so maybe the actual midnight welcoming in New Year died a little bit, but that could've just been down to our expectation and not knowing the usual local drill. Anyways, all 4 of us really enjoyed it .. well done E&P on a cracking New Years Eve menu. Look forward to seeing what you do...

Food terrible. The pickle tray had one free goo and two identical mango chutney. When asked why there was no variety the waitress we normally have salad but ran out. The starter of onion banjo was small, greasy chewy balls of batter with no discernible onion and the cold vegetable simosa mess was very unappetising. The main course was a congealed mess masquerading as a coconut fish curry ( actually wobbled like jelly when served suggesting to me freshly made it wasn’t) tasted bland and gloopy! Pilau rice was ok. Buttered chicken was slightly better but worst eaten in years.

The service was useless. No knives and forks had to get our own and had to go to the bar to get a drink. Hopeless. Lovely old former pub deserves better standard of food.

Really ruined wife’s birthday meal and won’t go there ever again. Reheated slops in my opinion and congealed and nothing freshly prepared. Does not deserve above two star! Don’t water you time and money - Worst...