Harden's survey result
Summary
“Correctly described in last year’s guide as ‘What the Peak District needed… and now has” – this “warm, welcoming” and unmistakably ambitious venture (crowdfunded five years back) occupies the cosy setting of a converted stable block. Chef-patron Lee Smith oversees the modern British cooking, based on “really good locally sourced produce (meat is from a real farm shop next door)”, and “tasting menus are not obligatory” since there’s also a “good à la carte” – plus the £23 per person ‘Market Menu’, which will have you in and out in under an hour. Whichever you go for, it’s all “exceptionally good” and “definitely worth the detour” if you’re heading up north.
Summary
“This is the restaurant the Peak District has been waiting for” – a “chilled and unfussy” four-year-old, in a former stable block, which Lee Smith (ex-of the acclaimed Samphire on Jersey) opened after a crowdfunding drive. The staff’s “enthusiasm for the place makes for a happy experience, but most of all it’s the modern English cooking done very well in a lovely room… I’m lucky it’s my local”. Some reporters feel we rate it too conservatively, but to go further: more reports please!
Summary
“Delightful food”, “prepared with love and care”, is on Derbyshire-born chef Lee Smith’s menu at the crowdfunded restaurant he opened three years ago, having quit as head chef at Michelin-starred Samphire on Jersey. There’s a “lovely ambience” in the cleverly modernised historic building, and everything tastes “fresh and delicious”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Restaurant Lovage by Lee Smith?
Bath Street, Bakewell, DE45 1DS
Restaurant Lovage by Lee Smith Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Hardens 2024, was right « this is what the Peak District needed ». No pretensions ( notwithstanding the 5 & 7 course tasting menus), but good cooking using excellent ingredients ( mostly locally sourced) produces a winning combination. Not at all fancy, but well priced and busy even well out of season. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £20.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Bath Street, Bakewell, DE45 1DS
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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