Derby Arms, The

The Derby Arms is situated on the Epsom Downs, far away from the hustle and bustle of the busy one-way system, offering a lovely view of London and the well-known racecourse that hosts the race the pub is named after. A lot of thought and effort has gone into the complete redesign, creating a new interior with log fires and steaming hot apple cider in the cold months, offset by beautifully landscaped decking for al fresco dining.

The pub is more like a modern interpretation of a traditional English pub. All the traditional pub classics such as beer battered fish and chips, ribeye steaks and steaming pies are there and a modern menu comprising of duck salad, gourmet pizzas and fresh fish has joined them. To set the right note of fashionable sociability there are sharing plates, Spanish tapas of stuffed pequillo pepper, tortilla and Parma ham, a baked Camembert with rustic bread, Greek mezze with taramasalata with humus, tzatziki, feta and flatbread, or a pizzette with garlic, rocket and Parmesan.

Amongst the starters, there is soup of the day, smoked ham with poached egg and muffin, chicken liver parfait, crayfish and salmon ravioli or caramelised onion tart. Look, too, for Black Pearl scallops when the market is right. The salads offer tandoori chicken with spinach, mango, cucumber and mint, for the seafood fiends some seared salmon Caesar with marinated anchovies and parmesan or roasted squash, goats cheese, cherry tomato and rocket.

These days no self-respecting gastropub can afford to be without its pizza range; expect to find a classic Margherita of tomato, mozzarella and basil, another with pepperoni, chorizo and jalapeno or the delicious duck, plum sauce and spring onion option.

The grills for hearty eaters are worth trying and choices include pork chops and salmon among others. These are all served with frites, garlic butter, brandy peppercorn sauce, béarnaise, burnt tomato and onion salsa or mango and chilli. For the big event, there is always a fish of the day on request. The steak burger with cheese, onion and mustard mayo is popular, a sign of the times and improving taste in eating. There is lovely rack of lamb with chorizo as well as venison and wild mushroom or the creamy risotto.

Their wine list of old world classics and new world upstarts ensures there is plenty of choice for anyone. The beers are taken very seriously and so are the award winning English cask ales - they have a range of Continental lagers and speciality beers such as Birra Moretti, Staropramen and Leffe.

A wide range of supporting dishes includes baby potatoes, Belgium frites and mayo, and greens, leeks and peas. For desserts resort to the blackboard, where there is always a good display, often with some of the local cheeses to set the buffs alight.

More information, including full menus, is available on their Website. Please note that the E-Mail Contact is for enquiries only, not for bookings.