Renaissance Restaurant

The Renaissance offers value for money in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. A charming French barn restaurant with friendly service, hidden away in the attractive Derbyshire Peak District market town of Bakewell. The food is of a very high standard using local and fresh quality ingredients. Owned by Eric Piedaniel and his wife Christiana, it opened in 1994, realising an ambition that he had always since childhood. As he says: "I first became interested in cooking at the age of six and my passion for food only became stronger as I grew older. Realising that there was only one thing I loved, my teachers at school arranged for me to go to L'Avalasse Catering College one year ahead of my time because of my enthusiasm. Subsequently I came top of the College for three consecutive years and left with full catering Honours."

Choices could include blue cheese soufflé served with a leek casserole or poached egg baked in filo pastry served with a watercress sauce to begin with, then pork fillet roulade stuffed with black pudding and smoked bacon finished with a rich red wine sauce to braised shank of lamb served with rosemary gravy and truffle mashed potato to follow, and hazelnut meringue, banana and caramel nest served with a pistachio nut sauce or spiced gingerbread and pear pudding served with a vanilla sauce to end the meal with.

Gourmet meals are arranged on special nights, whilst there are private rooms available for parties and small weddings. The wine list of around 50 choices is thoughtfully put together, with good descriptions and sensible mark-ups. Three house wines kick it off at £10.99.