It’s been just over a month since the birth of little Heidi Rose and last night when Nana and Grandad offered to take her for a few hours so we could escape for a dinner date we leapt at the chance. And so, we went on our first solo outing for the evening sans baby daughter.
Le Mistral is a sweet and charming French bistro here in the Midlands with a delicious menu and inviting feel. It is a place we come to about once a year when we want to go someplace where we can relax and unwind in a friendly atmosphere and eat consistently good food. Situated in the small historic market town of Wirksworth, Le Mistral is an enchanting haven that lures you in with warm golden lights and cosy interior.
As you walk in, the restaurant looks deceptively small with only half a dozen tables and a well stocked wine bar overlooking views into the kitchen. Downstairs however, the old cellars have been converted and offer an intimate hide away from the world upstairs. 
As we sat and indulged in a bottle of Bolée cider with some bread and garlic butter, we perused the menu which included small starters, sharing platters and French classics like Fricasse of Chicken, Confit of Duck, French Onion Soup and of course a good baked Camembert – and made our selections. I settled on the Porc a la Dijonnaise, a slow roasted piece of pork belly with crackling, celeriac remoulade, beans, baby onions and apple puree drizzled with a cider-mustard cream. Peter opted for the Boeuf Bourguignon – tender slow cooked beef in a red wine jus with baby onions, smoked belly pork, glazed carrots and mushrooms with herb buttered mashed potato and parsnip crisps.
We absolutely loved our choices! Hearty, rich and sumptuously tasty. Just the treat we needed.
Of course we ordered dessert afterwards too. I could happily have ordered any of the puddings but we both decided on the tarte tatin, which didn’t disappoint. I could have devoured more.
If you can’t get to Wirksworth then don’t worry, this isn’t the only Le Mistral. There is also one in Nottingham and Sherwood. Make sure to pay them a visit and have an impromptu dinner of your own.
Le Mistral
23 Market Place,
Wirksworth,
DE4 4ET
01629 82 48 40
www.lemistral.co.uk
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