The Bluebell - Amber Valley

Alex met us with a warm welcome. Speedily served us drinks mine an excellent decaf oatmilk cappuccino. He was extremely diligent about my dietary issues and double checked everything I was considering with the chef.Nothing was too much trouble.The service was attentive professional and friendly. The food was very good and arrived quite quickly. We were early!! The surroundings in the orangery are light airy and attractive and comfortable. How lucky we are to have a place like this nearby that still opens on Mondays and Tuesdays!

Excellent food and service. The best pie and chips! This has become our go-to place in the area. Outdoor pod was heated and comfortable despite winter weather.

We dropped in after visiting another nearby eatery but found their hygiene rating score of 1 put us off. The Bluebell inn accommodated two adults and our dog. We had starters of mushrooms and veg soup then main of turkey roulade and fish and chips, they even cooked a sausage for our dog. The young lady serving us was polite and friendly and we found out was studying at Liverpool uni, our home town. The food was plentiful and piping hot. Will definitely visit again if we are in the area.

Popped in on a very quiet Thursday around 12pm. Asked if there was a table for 2. Front entrance and restaurant were completely empty and was almost silent. We asked a lady if there was chance of a table. She went to look at her laptop and then a man (probably a manager) greeted us and then went to look with her. She came back and said there’s “absolutely no tables available” we couldn’t believe it as it was literally empty and we were only two! Then the man joined in “there’s no way we can fit you in, we don’t have the capacity”. We asked if we could sit in the bar, “not today, there’s no room”. Very rude and dismissive two members of staff. As we left, we then overheard the manager say “we have no tables left and absolutely no room for festivities today”. He peered at the door and realised we were still stood there. Very awkward. As someone who used to work for this company, I couldn’t believe the poor service and lack of curtesy.

Last minute decision and very impressed. Called after an appointment at Derby Royal. Very attentive staff, a warm welcome and what appeared to be just one waitress resulted in an enjoyable lunch. Food was excellent and service too. My son had a pizza, which was larger than expected and he said it was good. Myself the duck pancakes, which is actually a starter but if you aren’t hungry was the perfect size as a main. Only thing that would have improved it was more cucumber spring onion. No complaints to the amount of duck. Plus a teaspoon to serve hoisin sauce would be good. I used my knife but noticed other diners pouring from the receptacle and got in a bit of a mess. No pressure to leave or order sweets etc, which was nice to experience. We enjoyed very much and hope to return again.