Anoki dokey

I once wrote that ‘Anoki may not only be the best Indian restaurant in Derby; it might just be the best restaurant too’. It was a bold statement to end a food review that demonstrated just how blown away I was by my first meal there. I’m flattered (and was, at first, a little shocked) to see that they’ve used it in their advertising and promotional material ever since.

Although I don’t think I’ve mentioned it on my humble blog before, from time-to-time, I have the incredible fortune of writing restaurant reviews for a couple of local magazines – which, as you may have guessed, is one hell of a fine way to while away the spare hours. And of all the places I’ve visited in Derby over the past five years or so, Anoki, unassumingly situated on the outskirts of the city, is the place that stands out above any other.

I’ve since returned on a few occasions - most recently last Friday night - to find that, true to form, the Anoki experience is better than ever. And that’s what lifts it above anything else in the city. Eating at Anoki is an experience to remember; something you want to tell all your friends about; something you want to share with the world. It’s a restaurant with a distinct difference - which is fortunate, as its name literally translates as 'unique' – and provides a definitive and lingering experience in both food preparation and comprehensive customer care.

Some may dismiss Anoki’s rose-petal adorned entrance as nothing more than a gimmick. It is in fact your prelude to a truly indulgent night of Indian dining. From the chandeliers - imported from Italy - through to the hand-made chairs and pure crystal glasses, the attention to detail is astonishing without ever feeling stuffy or overly pretentious (something that is often levelled at places like Darleys and Masa). The place is always buzzing and offers an environment conducing to both dining as a large group or as an intimate couple.

It also goes to show that a restaurant doesn’t have to live or die by its location; it’s what you do with that location that counts.

In my (admittedly, self-set) crusade to “joyfully celebrate the good and suitably lambaste the bad” in Derby, my glowing enthusiasm for Anoki hopefully levels out any gripes I’ve expressed so far.

The Primark Quarter?

Is it just me, or is anyone else concerned by the overwhelming consensus that the opening of Primark in Derby will single-handedly kick-start the Cathedral Quarter revolution?

The budget clothing chain opened its new Derby store today with many seemingly convinced that its presence will magically address the huge imbalance created by Westfield Derby. Well, I’ll tell you now, it won’t.

I know, I know...I shouldn't be so negative. I guess that at least it's another step in the right direction for the ‘other end’ of Derby, but it’s clear that the area’s regeneration and redefinition will take some time. We should be thankful for small mercies though and at least there’s some sign that things are starting to happen.

Despite last week’s news that Tesco had pulled out of a deal to buy the still-disappointingly-derelict Debenham’s building on Victoria Street, I can’t help but think that it was a blessing in disguise. Would we really want a Tesco megastore in the city centre? The issue, however, is finding any other retailer has the buying power and stock diversity to fill such a mammoth building. It ain't going to be easy.

The biggest problem I have with The Cathedral Quarter is that I’m not sure I quite understand its scope. Does anyone know where it officially starts and ends? And where does ‘The Lanes’ fit it to all this? Answers on a postcard please.

Five Lamps to shine again

When the Five Lamps pub announced earlier this year that it was to close its doors because, well, not enough people were walking through them, my tangible sense of loss was accompanied by a slight twinge of guilt.

There’s no doubt in my mind that, despite the heritage of places like The Flowerpot and The Vic, Five Lamps was THE place to go for fresh, live - and superbly diverse - music and entertainment in Derby. And if the city couldn't muster enough enthusiasm to keep one of the city's finest music venues alive and kicking, then what chance did we have of ever nurturing our own local talent?

My guilt was far more self-absorbed and lay in the fact that, despite living just a two-minute walk away from one of Derby’s most iconic venues, I’d not really been the supportive regular that I should have been. I’d often strolled by the The Lamps on the way in to town with the intention of calling in for a pint or two, only to find a band half way through their set and the guy at the door asking me for a fiver. Other times I’d walk in to find it more or less empty. It was one of those places that was difficult to work out.

But whenever I’d taken the conscious decision to spend an evening in the company of my local, there’s no doubt that it had something extra-special about it. Something you couldn’t quite put your finger on. It was one of those places that seemed to form a protective bubble to the outside world and wrap you up in its uniquely enthusiastic arms.

The Five Lamps was in its element when bursting at the seams. Its film nights showcased ‘shorts’ by some of the region’s most promising film-makers, its ‘open mic’ nights encouraged performances from spoken word through to acoustic and beyond and it’s ‘Girls with Guitars’ sets were a showcase for Derby’s finest female singer songwriters. There certainly ain't many (if any) places in Derby that came close to matching Five Lamps' devotion and diversity.

So I was thrilled to see that, over the last couple of weeks, its run-down exterior had shown encouraging signs of activity and last week, a wind-swept banner promising an August re-opening now tantalises us with a ‘To drink. To eat. To relax. To watch. To Listen” pledge that lets that feeling of guilt to subside.

It's not every day that we're given a second chance and this time, I pledge to support the Five Lamps pub at every opportunity I get. For the creative sake of our beloved city, I urge you to do likewise.

Who's with me?

If you're here and reading this then I’m intrigued - how the bloody hell did you find me? Oh, and where are my manners? Welcome to This Ain't Derby.

As you can probably see, this place is still a very much a baby. A newborn if you will. But that's not to say that it hasn't got potential. I'm serious about growing this blossoming bambino in to something big, strong and meaningful…and I'd like some help along the way.

I'll admit in an instant that I have a driving passion in spreading the word when it comes to separating Derby’s most wanted wheat from its rather repugnant chaff, but I don't for one minute profess to be an expert on everything the city has to offer. Far from it in fact. And hopefully, that's where you come in.

I'm keen to hear from you if you feel suitably inspired to contribute to my modest crusade, either because you’re just as passionate about Derby’s potential as a thriving city as I am or because you’ve got a particular area of expertise that you’d like to share with the readers of This Ain’t Derby.

Whether it’s fashion and lifestyle or simply highlighting those little hidden gems that we’ve somehow missed, this is your opportunity to glow about the good and bluster about the bad in Derby.

With my fingers well and truly crossed, I await a torrent of replies.

Easy come, easy Goji

It's a shame when new names and fresh ideas come to Derby promising so much, but ultimately end up delivering so little.

Just when it seemed that oriental buffet-style restaurants were going to consume Derby entirely, Goji's gung-ho (or should that be ‘Kung Po’?) expansion plans to roll-out seven new restaurants in the UK this year - along with winning the hearts and bellies of us Derby folk - would appear to have hit a stumbling block.

Having walked past Goji's bright white and lime green exterior one recent Friday night - when any ambitious restaurant would expect to be buzzing - my initial assumption that it was just 'not very busy' was rapidly replaced with the realisation that Goji wasn't actually open for business that night. Last Saturday lunchtime, its doors were still closed and I have no reason to believe that they'll be opening up again any time soon. Does anyone know any different?

Strange isn't it how some places just never quite manage to pull you through their doors? I'd always been impressed with its funky-looking interior and, despite the slight worry of another 'Buffet experience', I'd promised myself that one night we'd try it. Just not tonight. Oh, and not tomorrow night either. But we'll try that place some time. Well, we never did and it now looks as if there’s no place for Goji's undoubtedly passionate approach to oriental cuisine in Derby.

I guess whether a restaurant is good, bad or indifferent in Derby - and as I say, with Goji, I can't judge as I never ate there - it's always a shame to see any striving business venture endure such a short life-cycle. The unfortunate thing is that every such failing will simply deter other budding restaurateurs from opening what could wind up being one of the best eateries in Derby. Still, chin up eh?

The Westfield effect

How does that theory go? Something about how the faintest flicker of a butterfly’s wing can cause a chain of events leading to large-scale, possibly global, destruction? Actually, maybe the consequences aren’t quite that catastrophic. I can’t remember now, but it’s bad.

Well, on October 9th 2007, Westfield Derby proudly fluttered open its many doors to the city’s paying public and changed the dynamics of Derby’s city centre forever. OK, maybe not forever, but certainly for a long time to come. But I can promise you here and now that this isn’t the part where I start moralising, as many already have, about the corrosive nature of such a corporate conglomeration of retail power. Yes it’s a force to be reckoned with, but it’s brought with it a dazzlingly dynamic and visually vibrant mix of fashion, food and leisure – not to mention over 100 new shops – to our beloved city.

So I’ll stick my neck out right now and admit that I’m a big fan of 'The Westfield'. There, I said it. However, am I the only one who’s frustrated in thinking that it could have been given a significantly more inspiring name? Is it too much to ask for our glorious shopping centre to be given a cool and funky title rather than a typically corporate one? It must have taken all of 30 seconds to come up with ‘Westfield Derby’.

Like many others, my first experience of Westfield was on the night it first opened. I just couldn’t resist it. We’d all driven past, we’d all seen the rapidly altering shape of Derby's skyline, and here it was, the moment of truth; an opportunity to see whether it lived up to the hype. And I have to admit that it totally exceeded my expectations.

The tiled floors sparkled with pride, as did the perfectly-dressed fascias of Derby’s new stores. It was a fashionista's dream. The likes of Zara, H&M and All Saints had all found a home in Derby. M&S, Next and Debenhams all boasted their new, cutting-edge, identities. If nothing else, Westfield had lived up to its promise of “breathing new life into the cosmopolitan heart of the city”.

The experience was also a strangely disorientating one. For the first time since I can remember, I had no idea where I was in my own city. Which way did I need to turn to face the cathedral? How did I get back outside? Suddenly, it didn’t feel like Derby at all...and although I wasn’t complaining, others already were.

Many have claimed that the shift in emphasis from one end of the city to the other has ripped the heart out of Derby. It’s certainly true that, in the short-term, Westfield has created a vacuum for smaller independent stores who find themselves on a high-street littered with boarded-up windows and empty units. On the flipside, it’s given other parts of the city centre a serious boot up the behind and the opportunity to redefine themselves entirely. The Cathedral Quarter is already starting to create a meaningful identity for itself and The Lanes is next on the list.

Whatever your thoughts on Westfield, it’s here to stay, so let’s indulge in its many delights whilst continuing to support Derby's independent retailers and embracing the city’s longer-term Masterplan.

In QUAD we trust

I’ve always found Derby’s Market Place something of a strange phenomenon. It should be the hub of the city’s activity, the absolute core of the Derby’s thriving existence. It certainly has the potential to reach such heights, but seems to have been let down over the years by a few ill-advised choices.

It’s an easy target I know, but 13 years after its inception, isn’t it about time Derby’s ‘Market Place Water Feature’ soaked its last screaming, shouting (and often eventually tearful) child? Not only does the thing generate a particularly unappealing racket, but also has the habit of dispersing the most pungent of sewage smells that does nothing to endear me to it. Last winter’s Central Park-esque ice-rink wasn’t the greatest of successes either and turned the square in to, well, something of a mess to be honest.

However, the recent emergence of Derby’s ‘Big Screen’ has been a huge success and if you’ve taken a stroll through the Market Place over the past few months, you'll have struggled not to notice the radiant colours of the achingly contemporary QUAD building that's slowly but surely taking shape.

It's super-cool gritstone cladding and deliberately fragmented exterior shows off the ultimate in perspexed perfection. The poor 70s-styled Assembly Rooms doesn’t know what’s hit it.

The question did cross my mind; should I really be talking (or typing) in such glowing terms about something that isn't even officially open yet? Well, my conclusive view was that if QUAD can deliver on half of its admirably ambitious promises, our media-hungry senses are in for one hell of a good time. I don't know about you - unless you’ve left a comment that is - but I’m pretty damn excited about the prospect of having a cutting-edge independent cinema, café bar and media gallery all under one (solar panelled) roof.

As you might expect, QUAD online is looking just as sharp as its beautifully-styled tactile existence and, well, kind of does all the hard work for me. Need I ask any more of you than to dedicate ten minutes of your time to familiarise yourself with QUAD and get suitably excited about the latest addition to Derby’s creative revolution?

If you feel duly inspired and would like to get involved in the run-up to QUAD’s official opening, check out 'The17' and see if you can shoe-horn yourself in to one of the project's random categories. I'm still deciding on whether to apply as a Fortune Teller, Irish Step Dancer or Hot Air Balloonist.

QUAD's official opening date will be announced shortly. Watch this space.

The buffet experience

So typically, I start with a bit of a moan. It won’t always be like this, I promise.

I look back now and it’s all a bit of a blur. How did I end up there? What was I thinking? Did anyone see me?

A recent trip to America had left me with an insatiable appetite for New York’s exceptionally fresh sushi and sashimi and an uncontrollable craving for more lovingly-prepared steamed baskets of dim sum that, since returning to Derby, have proved cruelly elusive. Until, that is, I saw a sign, a neon glimmer of hope if you will.

Wokmania’s fluorescent pink promise of an ‘Oriental buffet’ served up in the salubrious surrounding’s of Derby’s St Werburgh’s church seemed too good to be true. Maybe they’ve got a sushi bar? Perhaps even an entire section dedicated to those tasty little dumplings? My hopes were genuinely high, but looking back now, I’m not sure where my unfounded sense of enthusiasm came from. I’d only had one beer.

The idea was to have a relaxing evening out with my girlfriend; a couple of drinks, a bite to eat and a relaxing stroll home. Not an unreasonable yearning for a warm summer’s evening I thought. However, it soon become clear that the buffet experience is somewhat flawed if you want to spend any quality time – or any time at all in fact – with the person you’re with.

And so to the first dilemma. Who should go up and get their food first? Should we both leave the table and take our belongings with us? It started to dawn on me why this style of dining was so popular with groups of birthday parties and stag dos. So Amy (my aforementioned and extremely beautiful girlfriend) went first but due to the restaurant running out of plates, she’d pretty much finished her ‘starters’ by the time I was seated. So up she got again…and so it continued. I then found myself constantly dodging other diners as they tried to weave their way through the labyrinth of tables with plates stacked high with food.

Our timing didn’t wasn’t great either as, deliberate or not, Wokmania seems to cater for two main sittings - the ‘eat around 7’ crowd and the late diners. This meant that all the starters had already been scoffed and anything in the slowly simmering main courses was seriously starting to wilt (as were we at this point). So ironically, in what is supposed to be a progression of the convenience food revolution, we waited patiently for the fresh trays of food to be served. To me, this defeats the entire premise of a ‘buffet’ experience.

I’m sorry to go on, but I will. Deep-breath everyone.

Most of the food was incredibly bland with not a shred of chilli, lime, ginger or coriander in sight. It was like a party thrown by Uncle Ben with every dish adapted to the simplicity of the English palate, a point only emphasised by the distinct lack of chopsticks, soy sauce, pickled ginger or, well, anything that would make your food taste that little bit more authentic.

There’s no doubt that it’s a cheap way to eat – our bill for the two of us, including drinks came to £30 – and it’s ideal for larger groups such as stag dos or birthday parties, but it’s dining out for the masses. It’s how cows, sheep and pigs are fed. Yes, it’s convenient, quick and cheap, but it’s offensive to all the senses.

I’m yet to try either Bold Lane’s Goji or May Sum on Babington Lane but, after my Wokmania experience, I might have to give them a miss. My suggestion? Try one of the pan-Asian open-kitchen outlets at Westfield. At least their food is freshly prepared and full of flavour. Failing that, the Thai Boran on Green Lane has quietly carved a niche for serving fantastically consistent Thai and Asian food with attentive service to match.

In the meantime, my search for those scrumptious Chinese dumplings, in Derby at least, goes on…

Let's start at the beginning

OK, maybe I should explain. I like Derby. Love it in fact. I’ve lived here most of my life and find its unassuming nature quite appealing. Maybe I see a little of myself in Derby. Maybe that’s it.

Don’t get me wrong; I’ve been to better cities. Much better cities. Cities bursting with life no matter what night of the week it is. The kind of places that cry “Pick me! Pick me!” But for the time-being, Derby’s where I’m at, and to be fair to the old place, it’s not looking bad these days. It’s getting there (bless it) and with a little help from us all, it’ll get there a little quicker.

That’s where I come in I guess. I’m passionate about what’s good in Derby and equally passionate about what isn’t (or maybe that should be what ‘ain’t’).

Don’t get me wrong; this isn’t my means of ranting and raving all the time – although there may be a bit of that along the way – but it’s to joyfully celebrate the good and suitably lambaste the bad. Hopefully, you’ll feel free to get involved along the way.

So come on then, who’s with me?