The Okeover Arms — Restaurant in Derbyshire Dales

MrsC, resourceful as ever, had decided, quite rightly, that with our two daughters well and truly fledged we had entered the new year with more of a whimper than a roar. Her first decision on the matter was to suggest a midweek meander to dust off the lethargy and get some quality air in the lungs.|Our first such session was a short blast to the bottom of The Peaks, a healthy 6 mile circular yomp and then a resulting “earnt” pie and pint then home again.|The required planning (dog friendly pub serving some vegan scran with a decent tramp from the doorstep) completed we booked a table at The Okeover Arms and set off on a gloriously sunny winter Wednesday to park up. Hounds unloaded we booted up and set off on a recommended 6 mile circuit taking in the nearby village of Thorpe, over the stepping stones on The Dove and then back.|We enjoyed a cracking walk, rarely bothered by others until we reached the Dove, with time for chat and thanks for the blessing of a dry, sunny winters day to breathe in the great views.|Although Naismith’s rule tends to go out the window with working dogs and countryside full of interesting scents we managed to complete the round and be just 5 minutes late for our table booking.|First impressions were great. Met by a roaring fire and a laid table for two, though seating four - as they weren’t sure I of the size of our dogs, with two large dog beds behind. |We made way for another dog owner just leaving and then were served by the owner who immediately equated our party with the booking and then was enthused by our young fox red Lab. |Our only (minor) disappointment of the whole experience was to be told that our targeted vegan pie, the mushroom and ale, wasn’t on. Nonetheless the alternatives chosen hit the spot just as well though off-message with our Pie&Pint walk narrative.|MrsC plumped for the vegan chilli of soy mince and chick peas but, following the hike, requested chips to replace the advertised basmati rice. A generous and hearty serving arrived with, no less, “real” chips; logs of perfectly fried potato that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the roaring fire next to us. Complemented by further additions of a side salad and tortilla chips. Not a bit remained at the end so we’ll put that down as a successful choice.|I wavered on the chilli too but veered off to the vegan burger, fries and slaw advertised on the exceptionally well priced lunch menu section. As I was to find mine, too, was a generous well cooked plate. |The plant-based burgers, of which there were two monsters, were retained amidst the two melted cheeze slices and bun by a wooden skewer such was the towering size. Complemented by a sea of fries and red cabbage slaw. Another treat, how sad am I, was the condiment. Hugely surprised to find that my requested brown sauce accompaniment was supplied in a size that meant you only needed one sachet (rather than the two/three of others), was British made and was completely devoid of the usual UPF fest of ingredients and additives. |As MrsC was driving she opted for a pint of orange juice and lemonade whilst I settled for a pint of the local hand pump brew from Storm Brewing (Desert Storm I think).|The pub itself was a nostalgic hug of a country pub. Warm and engaging service, good atmosphere and decor, great food, the ubiquitous roaring fire with a mix of locals and us outsiders (not in the fire of course) and an inviting place to bring your hounds after a walk across the hills. It’s what “hospitality” always represented for MrsC and I ; back in the day. The spot that drove you on through inclement weather, snow or whatever was thrown at you on a group hike knowing that as soon as you were through the door you could jettison your soaking togs, warm yourself by the fire than extend that glow inside with a hearty meal and a well kept pint whilst rabbiting on about the highs and lows of the days walk and planning the next one.|So glad these pubs still exist and here’s hoping they, too, can weather the storm.|As you may have guessed we loved it.|Go yourself. |Enjoy.|Then go again so it’s there for awhile...

We (2 adults) returned to the Okeover Arms after having an amazing time and lunch a few months back (5 star review). This time we we less impressed, we had a table booked for 7pm and arrived a few minutes early. The restaurant and bar was busy which seamed positive, waiting at the restaurant entrance there was no servers or anyone to ask for the table so we went to the bar. There two servers behind the bar were serving tickets and some people waiting at the bar. When we did get served we were told to wait at the desk to get seated but not asked for drinks. Waiting at the desk we managed to collar a server walking to the kitchen who pointed at an empty table and said that was for us. Around our seats there were 4 tables of 4 and a table of 10 at baring stages of their meal. At 7:10pm we got served and asked for our drinks order which did promptly come. The restaurant was noisy from the number of people there not eating as they were waiting, there was no background music to dull some of the sounds. At 7:15pm we made our food order of a starter, main and popperdom (excuse my spelling) each and a side to share, from the set menu of about 6 starters 8 mains and 3 deserts The restaurant staff seamed overwhelmed as they were regularly asked by the other tables how long food would be as they had all been waiting for nearly an hour and we're never around to ask however the 2 bar staff had more than enough time to chat and check their phones. We had enough time to people watch. After we made our food order one of the tables of 4 got their food they finished within 10 minutes and left, the second table of 4 got served promptly by the third when the staff finally cleared the 1st table. They both finished one left and the other waited for dessert order to be taken. At 7:40pm our popperdom trays arrived of 2 clearly shop brought stale popperdoms a small double shotglass sizedbbowl of chopped raw onion, a small bowl of clearly shop bought mango and a small bowl of yoghurt this did not feel worth the £4 each it cost as well as the fourth table of 4 getting their starters. The third table ordered food to have outside and left. The 3 tables of 4 did not get other people seated at them. At 8:15pm our starters came out they were one plate of 3xonion bahji (again sorry for spelling) this was crisp on the outside by bet stodgy on the inside and definitely not like the ones we had last time and a single chat samosa which was tasty but not worth the hour wait, after being served we asked for another drink order, the server said they didn't take orders but would send someone over, they then disappeared we didn't see any server for a bit. At 8:30 the fourth table of 4 got their meal and we managed to collar a waitress for a second drinks order. At 8:40pm the table of 10 got their mains after repeatedly asking. Then finally at 8:50pm we got our mains a butter chicken, lamby curry both served with rice a side salad and small chapati bread and the side of masala fries. The curries were well balanced any tasty as per last time (the only thing saving this from a 1 start review) however the fries were different, last time they had a dry seasoning on them but this time they had a sauce coating them all, it was ok but noting great. At 9:05 i was finished my wife gave up after 10 minutes as was no longer hungry and ready to leave so we asked for the bill and to take home what my wife hadn't eaten. By now the whole team (2 servers &2 bar staff) were hovering around as well as the chef/owner (as we met him last time as he came out and asked us how it was) who was at the table of 10 apologising for the wait. At no point whilst eating did they ask how the meal was or if we wanted more drinks or apologies for the extra long wait.

Continued below as met...

Only gave a 3 because the staff were nice. It's sad I didn't post a good review on my previous visits as they are normally very good. As for this time... they were not especially busy but tried to make out they were fully booked. Hardly any food was coming out of the kitchen. We had to wait an hour for our food after 3 rounds of drinks and asking when the food would arrive. When it did it was obvious the roast dinner was microwaved. Chewy meat, 1 carrot, one parsnip and a flat yorkshire pud that would have been fine if it said pancake. As for the tandoori chicken... a small leg of roast chicken with less meat than a small breast of... sort of 2 bites and it was gone but the worst bit was it was plain chicken with a splash of non indian seasoning added to the skin that offered no taste at all. Also asked for no veg beyond the chips so they added minted onions which I can't have. A half reasonable portion of chips would have done rather than an amount you could almost count on one hand. Could you spare them? And they have put their prices up. They were nice enough when we complained but honestly tried to convince me the chicken was marinaded. Only if the marinade was water. I have been to enough indian restaurants to know what tandoori chicken looks and tastes like.|Admittedly they offered a curry sauce to go with it which was okay but I had eaten all the chips and had cold chicken by the time it turned up. I didn't want to send it back as I figured I would be waiting another hour for it.|We won't be back anytime soon.|One piece of advice. If you have a chef or kitchen problem, just be honest about it and we can go elsewhere. Don't make people wait an hour when you aren't actually that busy and then provide poor value and poor food and try and convince the customer it's something it's not. You only hurt your own reputation and...