Chequers (Coal Aston) — Restaurant in North East Derbyshire

I was in Derbyshire visiting a friend for the weekend and we decided to have a Sunday lunch here, which is a place neither of us had ever been to. I didn’t realise it was Mother’s Day so when I popped in on Saturday to ask if they had any tables available I wasn’t surprised when I was told that they were fully booked. However, Abby (the lady I spoke to) said she would have a look at their bookings, and despite their busy enough lunchtime session ahead, she was able to find a table for my friend and then showed me where it was asking me if it was OK, which was great! I also found her to be very polite, friendly and approachable and I felt immediately at ease in her presence. On our arrival the next day I began mentioning our booking to a colleague of hers who greeted us on entry. Abby, who was beside him but was busy on the phone with a different query, let him know how many of us there were and where we were sitting by signalling to him our table, acknowledging my thanks with a nod and effortlessly continued with the call she was dealing with. I ordered some drinks from the bar, collected our cutlery, serviettes and some mustard from a self-serving station and noticed that a barman saw that my hands were full and then bought our drinks over to the table as I got there – nice touch, man… Thanks! Our meals came promptly and both tasted delicious. I had added the ‘Go Large Deal’ to my meal order (for just £2  extra) and the serving was huge. I struggled to finish it and felt 5kg heavier afterwards, and I didn’t feel hungry again until about 10am the next day! Ashleigh brought our meals out and I found her to also be equally and effortlessly as efficient, polite, attentive and friendly as Abby. Throughout the meal my friend and I had a couple of moments to briefly share a little time in passing with each of them as they asked if we needed more drinks or if we were satisfied with our food and during these moments we had a bit of banter and witty repartee that felt natural and fun to be part of. Overall, I found the conduct of both of them to be perfect and excellent examples of displaying good ‘Guest Relations’ – Having this skill is such a necessary ability for all staff of the Hospitality trade to be well versed in as it is something that no machine can achieve despite its programming to be merely efficient or competent. Although my review particularly concerns the above mentioned ‘Dynamic Duo’ (you know who you are!) I also give a Big Shout out to the other staff who I noticed were going about their business with like-minded cheer and resolve even when the situation just calls for clearing and cleaning tables filled with all the paraphernalia left behind after each sitting or picking up broken glasses and dropped cutlery on the floor… Well done to you all. Keep at it and keep...

Went for lunch, with my friend. We was greeted with a lovely smiling face, the gent showed us to our table. I went to the bar to order drinks and food, I ordered hot chocolate for my friends, as it was a very cold day, I had a cup of tea. As I am gluten and dairy intolerant. Darren offered me oat milk for my tea, so glad of dairy free options. For lunch My friend ordered steak pie, mashed potatoes and mushy peas. I ordered 10oz rump steak, salad and a few chips separately. The lovely waitress brought our drinks over, my friend was impressed as she had whipped cream over her hot chocolate. My tea with oat milk. Was a very good start to the afternoon. Darren, brought our lunches over to our table. On presentation, my steak looked delishes, with little button mushroom, star shaped grill tomatoes and a lovely salad with dressing separately. My steak was tender and patterned from the griddle, full of juice. My friends steak pie, was deep, full of tender steak, with the right amount of gravy inside. Her pie came with mashed potatoes and mushy peas, gravy came separately in a jug. The presentation was spot on. As a retired chef, I always think, Quality, Quantity, and Presentation, makes all the difference. One I think of, very important, to customers. With my meal today, I would like to say this meal had all of these. Quality, Quantity and Presentation. The Staff caring, happy and helpful. My friend had millionaire brownie and ice cream. I wasn't going to have a dessert, as I didn't see any thing with out gluten or dairy. The waitress told me they did have fresh strawberrys and peach compote, and vegan ice cream I decline the icecream, but it was a lovely gesture the strawberrys and peach compote was light and so refreshing after steak, plus well presented. and a lovely alternative to dairy and gluten sponges, cakes and crumbles. Which I can't have. I would like to thank Darren and his team working today, for a lovely meal, the guy who greeted us the lovely waitress. Darren and the chef. You all made us feel so welcome, you couldn't do enough for us. You made sure we had a lovely afternoon. Thank...

The Chequers is one of my partner Jackie and mine's regular haunts, although we hadnt been for a month or so. We live in Dronfield and I asked my partner if she'd let me take her out for tea. So we rocked up at the Chequers and both ordered the Steak Sizzler meal and some drinks! Soon enough my partners meal came and I was quite impressed, especially with the steak. Nice size, however there was no sizzle! Anyways about 3 mins later mine came.....substantially smaller steak than my hers and again no sizzle! I said to the waitress, "What happened there love?" She asked what I meant and I said "Well thats a lot smaller than hers!" So she went and had a word in the kitchen only to return saying they said it eas the same weight! So she then got the manager to come over who, on first sight of the steak, immediately apologised and removed it telling me he was going to replace the whole meal. Ten mins later it arrived back with a bigger steak but, on cutting into it it was too red inside, so I went to the bar to infirm them. The manager came back and took the meal back and when ut returned the steak was cooked more like I wanted it. The meal was nice. My partner complained that all this had spoiled our time there, as we wanted to eat together, shed felt that she couldnt eat her meal bcos I'd not got mine, it was cooled down by the time my mesl came back ok and so the manager decided to refund us our meals. We also had a free cappucino each. He was really nice about everything. The chef, I think, needs a word from him about their idea of good service. We'd still eat there and recommend others to still eat...