The Rutland and Derby on Millstone Lane has long been a favourite of ours here at Cool As Leicester, from their former in house deli, to their glorious roof terrace in the summer and their wood fired pizzas to their weekly pub quiz. Now though, their latest menu is taking inspiration from traditional German delicacies and it’s one of their best moves yet.
Manager, Sam, is evidently very passionate about the food that’s served from the kitchen, from using the very best local produce to the way it’s presented. “I tell my staff that when they take food to a table if it doesn’t look so good that you’d want to take a photo of it for Instagram then it shouldn’t be going out“, he tells us.
The menu still includes a number of firm Rutland & Derby favourites such as their wood fired pizza selection, however the light bites and starters have had a makeover from the chefs. There are a few standout items, including the potted beef, served with mini yorkshire puddings and pub gravy, the meatballs made with beef and chorizo topped with gorgonzola, and even their warm and tasty freshly baked pretzel with whipped smoked salt butter or a choice of mustards is to die for. The German inspiration really comes out though with the sliced Bratwurst and the smoked flavours that will leave you wanting plenty more.
The sliced bratwurst on the Small Plates menu also nicely moves us into the mains where The Rutland & Derby now offer both Grilled Bratwurst or Smoked Bockwurst served in a freshly baked pretzel bun with sweet or wholegrain mustard and pickled cabbage. Perfect for when you don’t want to have to share! The flavours compliment each other perfectly and the bread’s crisp exterior with its warm, flavoursome and fluffy inside makes for the best hot dog we’ve had in years.
We all know that The Rutland & Derby do fantastic wood fired pizzas, that’s nothing new, but what is new and worth checking out is their fantastic take on the German inspired Flammkuchen. Flammkuchen is a traditional South German dish involving thinly rolled dough covered in creme fraiche, onions and bacon and The Rutland & Derby’s take on it is a definite highlight of the menu. The smoked bacon lardons amongst the cool creme fraiche is such a wonderful mix and makes the perfect sharer with friends (or to yourself, we won’t judge!)
If you’re after an after work destination or a Saturday lunch and drink spot with friends there are few better places in Leicester to head to. The new menu gets a huge thumbs up from us with the German inspired small plates really standing out. We can’t wait to go back to sample the rest!
View the full Rutland & Derby menu.
Food is served until 8pm Monday to Saturday, with an extra hour until 9pm on Saturday. The pub is closed on Sundays.
The Rutland & Derby is on Millstone Lane in Leicester City Centre. Visit The Rutland & Derby website for full info.
WIN
That lovely lot at the Rutland & Derby have given us a German feast for 4 to give away to one lucky Cool As winner! You and 3 mates could be heading down to enjoy a spread of favourites from the menu plus some beers thrown in too.
To be in with a chance of winning all you need to do is answer this question over on the competition page.