Mediterranean Vibe…
Tasty tapas was the order of the day at CDJ Riverside where delicious and elegant dishes are created by talented chef Dan Jolley. Tedd Walmsley visits this iconic new restaurant
The question I was asking myself on the 25-minute drive from Clitheroe – was is it worth leaving the Ribble Valley, famed for its foodie excellence to try something different in Lower Darwen? The answer became clear very quickly – a resounding yes!
Chef Dan Jolley has a very impressive CV. He started his career at our beloved Northcote and took his own culinary journey across Europe, working and learning his craft from some of the finest chefs along the way.
Let’s start but not dwell, as space is at a premium, on the CDJ Riverside building. Historic and considered by many as iconic, saved from decay by owners Mark and Michael, the transformation retains many of the original features and remains authentic, but the Mediterranean influences of the decor throughout the magnificent dining and bar areas truly stand out. The scene was set. Now to ‘road test’ a selection of tapas that, in my opinion, is the real point of difference here.
As many of you know I’m a stickler for good service. The front of house team was welcoming and knowledgeable, which turned out to be very important when determining our choice of tapas in terms of quantity and options. Six was deemed to be the number – it’s important to recognise that the dishes come off the pass when ready, so the following 90 minutes saw us presented with a steady stream of stunning dishes, lovingly presented in a relaxed and elegant style. Everything, including the crockery and utensils, complemented what turned out to be a lovely lunch.
The tapas menu is split into three, meat, vegetables and fish, so we chose wisely to illustrate the breadth of the offer. It was hard to pick a ‘stand out’ dish as they were all delicious but if pushed, the honey chicken with a piquant chilli, lime and Szechuan sauce was truly outstanding and coming a close second, was a perfectly cooked beef Wellington. If moreish pastry and delicious fillings are your thing then there’s a whole evening devoted to this – Wednesday is the night for you at CDJ Riverside. Steaks and sides are the other great standouts on the menu and again, Thursday steak night looks great value – the website and social media will keep you updated with what’s on and when.
It’s so hard to convey in such limited space, just how good the food is here – I caught up at the end of service with chef Dan – his enthusiasm, passion and pride on what he’s achieved in just three months is palpable.
I’m keen to come back and explore other aspects of the menu, maybe sample a cocktail or two and try out the traditional Sunday lunch, or maybe a steak or perhaps a beef Wellington.
Was it worth the drive? Absolutely!
CDJ Riverside
Lower Darwen BB3 0PQ
01254 801691
cdj-riverside.co.uk
