Derbyshire – a special day at Fischer’s in Baslow

On Sunday 19th of May my father John Collis celebrated his 80th birthday…

…so my brother Dan and I took him for a special meal at Fischer’s www.fischers-baslowhall.co.uk, a four star hotel and fine dining restaurant located in leafy Baslow, about a half hour drive from Sheffield.

Fischer’s is located in Baslow Hall, a beautiful Grade II listed manor house on the outskirts of Baslow. While the gabled wings and mullioned windows with leaded panes suggest a house built in the 17th century, it is in fact Edwardian, dating from 1907.

The hall is surrounded by lovely gardens, which include a water lily pond and a kitchen garden that supplies fresh produce for the restaurant.

We’d reserved a private table in the wood-panelled Wine Room but as it was such a lovely day we decided to stay outside instead, beginning with a round of Carlingford oysters and a bottle of champers out on the lawn.

After this we moved to the terrace and were delighted to discover that we were to be served by Otto, an old acquaintance of my father’s.

He used to run a Moroccan restaurant called Otto’s on Sharrowvale Road in Hunter’s Bar in Sheffield, where my dad and his fellow archaeologists would regularly dine. After thirteen years of operation, he finally sold up in 2021 for a much deserved rest. However, after only nine months of retirement, he became bored and decided to go back to work again, only this time working for someone else rather than having the hassle of running his own place. I’m glad to say that Sheffield’s loss of this consummate professional has most decidedly been Baslow’s gain.

As we were in full on treat mode, we decided to go the whole four courses…

…and after some lovely warm bread with homemade butter…

…I began with the seasonal English Asparagus, Smoked Eel and Sauce Gribiche…

… while my Dad had the Corn Fed Chicken with Wild Garlic and White Port…

…and my brother the Jersey Royals with Smoked Cheese, Lovage and White Onion.

For the second course, the other two opted for the Cod Brandade with Salsa Verde, Lemon Peel and Crispy Skin…

…while I chose the Derbyshire Beef Tartare with Egg Yolk, Black Garlic and a Cracker.

For the mains I continued with the Rib & Cheek of Derbyshire Beef with Celariac and Chives…

…while my Dad had the Cornish Halibut with Pea, Mint and Merguez Sausage…

…and Dan selected the Middle White Pork with Tandoori Carrot and Mango.

Needless to say, Chef Adam Thackeray’s food was full of fantastic flavours as well as being beautifully presented.

These were washed down with two wines recommended by Otto; a Burgundy (the house white), and a red Tannat from Uruguay.

I added on an extra course of a black truffle cheese toastie and four delicious cheeses, all of which were new to me.

Then, after a palate cleanser of wasabi-infused ice cream mini wafers…

.. the other two snaffled the last two portions of Max’s Lemon Tart with English Strawberries…

… while I had to make do with a brownie made with 70% Guanaja Marquise chocolate, Peanut Butter and Coffee (it’s a hard life).

Nothing gets my pulse racing more than a drinks trolley fully laden with fine brandies!

Otto solved the problem of which one to choose by generously standing us a round of a fine 1974 Armagnac. Such a kind, generous man, he really made my Dad’s day that extra bit special.

So a happy birthday was well and truly had!

Many happy returns Dad and here’s to the next ten years 🙂 xxx