The Joiners Arms — Restaurant in Amber Valley

Starter: I enjoyed the shrimp/prawn tempura. The pork belly is tender but the pork cracking pieces with it are so hard. The halloumi is okay.

Mains Steak: it was good and it already comes with chips and mushroom for 25 pounds.

Beef stroganoff: It was okay but I think it lacks taste. I think the taste should be amplified a little because when paired with the safron rice, it neutralises the taste and comes out bland.

We also tried the dangling skewer, I forgot the name, and it was alright but most of it was burnt on the edges and top and they put a whole or half the onion into the skewer, if I remembered it correctly.

Fish and chips was nice according to one of my companions.

Sides we tried Mac and cheese before and it was alright.

Onion rings are good. So crispy.

Chips is so well fried but if you order other flavours, they just pat tons of seasoning on top of the fries after they put it on the pot and you'll end up having, for example, tons of chili flakes on top of your chips like one of us got.

Dessert: the pudding with bailey's is alright. I don't know if I'm just not into alcoholic drinks but it has this little bottle of bailey's on top of it and you'll pull it and it will pour onto the pudding. For some reason, it didn't click that the bailey's on the name is the drink. The rest on the name sounds amazing so that's what I ordered. The bailey's turned the pudding a little too bitter for me but yeah, that's on me.

Some of us ordered the wac hoo something and our jaws dropped when it was given to our table. It was massive! It looked so yummy, though.

The brownie one with a skewer looked so good but it is disappointing because it was burnt and rock hard on the bottom of it.

Pizza: The pizza was okay but due to peak hours when we went there, the edge were burnt and the server was kind enough to ask if the person who ordered would have wanted a new one that isn't overcooked. That was awesome but they end up forgetting about it. The entire table was done eating and the pizza haven't given yet. All is good, the server apologised, treated the kid to a monster drink, took it off the tab, I think but not sure, and the pizza was taken home.

Other pizzas that was ordered on separate occasions was nice and they'll give you a giant to go box if you don't finish it and want to take it home.

Drinks: There's an abundance of choices, served in tall glasses.

Cider: the cherry and Berry was nice.

Special cocktail: we also tried the one with a bathtub and a duck and it was good and so aesthetic.

Mad scientist: pyrex flask with like a tube dropper for its syrup. It has a sweet alcoholic taste. Not really so good.

The drink that has a mint on it, I forgot the name, was a little too minty. It overpowers the taste of it.

Mocha is nice but coffee-ee. It looks so good, tho.

Parking: there are plenty of parking space but incase, make sure to come early. It will be jam packed if you get there on peak hours. Other days, we didn't have a problem when we went, though.

Facilities: They are clean and there's always tons of tissue inside the cubicles and to dry your hands after you wash on the sink. The hand moisturiser is also a bonus being that I don't like the feeling of dry hands after washing or sanitising so it's a classy plus.

Ambience: If you want a nice ambience for your dining experience, it is the place. Your gonna be welcomed to a cool rustic bar. Then the pink tree will catch your eyes but it'll feel like you're in another place if you get to dine inside the pixie lights garden theme which is my favourite. There's also some tables where you can seat outside when you just want a drink but it can also be a smoking area because there are ashtray pots there so consider that. Ooh, and there are plenty of dogs at the bar section.

Servers were enthusiastic and nice on multiple occasions that we were there.

I will still go back even with the hiccups that was experienced on the last time that we've been. It's just sad because it was the first time for some of us but yeah, it is...

Been here twice now, the food and drink is always amazing and never fails to impress. But the service leaves a lot to be desired. First visit was slow service but due to being late at night didn’t have much impact except longer waits for food and drink but that’s fine. However, on the last visit we arrived bang on time for our 4:45 booking. Immediately showed to our table and thought fantastic. At 5:10 we finally saw our server for the first time, where after a long wait we’d been able to decide not only what we were drinking but what we were eating for starters and mains. Long wait for food but that’s understandable, food is worth the wait in my opinion. As soon as we finished our mains, plates were taken away promptly and we were asked if we’d like anything else. After having a minute to look at the desert menu our waitress came back to tell us our booking was over and we in fact had to leave our table, if we wanted to desert it would have to be eaten at the bar. As customers we did everything we could to ensure quick service, we knew what we were having when asked, we didn’t make the waiter come back and forth whilst we kept deciding, we arrived on time for our booking and as a party of 2 we were finished eating rather quickly. But due to the restaurants slow service we were told you in fact can’t have desert and need to leave the table.

Either Joiners Arms needs to organise their restaurant better and speed up service, or increase the amount of time you book the table out for. As this really put us off our experience if you can’t even enjoy a nice 3 courses through no fault of your own. Something...

Found using Google maps to show local restaurants, so we turned up without a booking on a Saturday afternoon. Staff were able to sit us quickly despite our lack of reservation but they were genuinely busy so I definitely recommend booking in advance. This place is popular for good reason. The decor is well thought out, with an illuminated cherry tree taking centre stage, friendly helpful staff and a relaxed vibe. I had a little trouble squeezing my chair through some of the spaces between tables, but staff walked ahead and quietly asked other diners to allow me room to pass. This could have been avoided if we had booked in advance but everyone was very accommodating and helpful. The menu had options to suit everyone as per the links for the venue, and all food was delivered hot, well presented and delicious😋 Drinks and condiments were offered throughout, and the dessert menu was too good for me to good. There was a disabled loo but I didn't use it on this visit as the access was not great. Staff would have cleared a path if I needed a visit. The bill was presented with a bag of sweets which delighted both of us, and when I asked about adding a tip to my card payment I was happy to hear they do go to the staff.

A lovely place to spend an afternoon with friends and family but definitely book ahead as it is deservedly popular. Wheelchair parking and facilities are available and staff are friendly...