For this month’s trip away from the office confines, unLTD heads for the Peak District, where in the ever-picturesque town of Bakewell we sampled the latest offering from Longbow Venues: The Charleston.
Long gone are the days when the main culinary offerings in charming Peak District towns extended to little more than afternoon teas and a ploughman's lunch. Places like Bakewell now boast bustling culinary scenes of their own, with everything from artisan coffee hangouts to Michelin Guide-listed small plates restaurants.
While the oft-dubbed capital of the Peaks still retains its traditionally quaint charm, complete with retro sweet shops, traditional pubs and the ever-bustling home of the original Bakewell Pudding, there are plenty of establishments catering to a more contemporary crowd. A craft beer micropub overlooks the central roundabout, while just around the corner an artisan cheese and wine bar pairs local produce with natural vinos in a setting that wouldn't feel out of place on Sharrow Vale Road.
A fresh addition to this lively food and drink scene is The Charleston, the latest of six venues run by award-winning independent hospitality experts Longbow Venues. A multi-million-pound renovation has seen the company turn a Grade II-listed former bank into an elegant 1920s-themed bar, restaurant and jazz venue spanning two floors.
Team unLTD arrived at lunchtime on a sweltering Friday and, from the moment we stepped inside, it was clear no expense had been spared or corners cut. The ground-floor bar feels like stepping into a grand hotel during the Roaring Twenties, with Art Deco touches, rich timber, burnished brass and gold detailing giving the place a real sense of occasion. It's luxurious without feeling over the top, and the sort of venue that's genuinely fun to have a wander around. There are plenty of little details to take in, including a private dining room tucked away inside the building's former bank vault.
We took our seats in the upstairs restaurant. Significant thought has clearly gone into their summer brunch menu, pairing familiar breakfast classics with bold, seasonal flavours. There’s everything from elevated egg dishes and indulgent waffles to colourful salads, refined small plates and hearty mains, all underpinned by a strong commitment to locally sourced ingredients.
Parched, we kicked things off with a round from the aptly named 'Start Your Day Hotsy-Totsy' menu, our drinks arriving promptly in gleaming glassware. The Rhubarb Spritz was tangy and wonderfully refreshing, while the Bloody Mary packed a satisfyingly savoury punch thanks to a combination of Hendo’s, Tabasco and warming spices. The Spicy Margarita brought plenty of citrus zing, finished with a fiery jalapeño kick. Our designated driver opted for the alcohol-free Lunetta Spumante, a crisp sparkling wine with tropical fruit that provided welcome refreshment on an increasingly blazing hot afternoon.
Then came the food. We began with small plates that were most sportingly shared amongst the group. The agreed standouts were the beautifully cooked Poached Halibut, served with caper beurre blanc, sea herbs and crispy vegetables, and the Scallop & Chorizo Skewers, where succulent scallops met smoky chorizo crumb and a silky broccoli velouté. The Gochujang Pork Belly Bites struck a perfect balance of sticky sweetness and savoury richness, while the Venison Carpaccio, lifted by apple gel, pickled baby apples, crispy capers and shaved Parmesan, more than held its own.
Mains maintained the momentum. The Steak & Egg Deluxe saw a perfectly cooked medium-rare bistro steak elevated by a fragrant Szechuan glaze and paired with crisp Cajun sweet potato wedges. The Waffle Sandwich was incredibly indulgent, balancing crispy buttermilk chicken with smoky bacon inside two crisp golden waffles. The Fish Tacos – my choice – were fresh, suitably light for the heat, zesty and flavoursome, while the Crispy Pork Chop proved a pleasant surprise. Encased in panko breadcrumbs, it retained all its succulence, with the crisp coating adding an unexpected but thoroughly welcome crunch.
With the generous portions still keeping us comfortably full, dessert was never really on the cards. Instead, we rounded things off with a round of crisp Monte Carlo Beer – the perfect antidote to the rising afternoon temperature – before settling up.
So, what was the final verdict as we wound our way back over the hills to Sheffield? We were all in agreement: The Charleston brings a welcome splash of glamour to the heart of a historic market town. Whether you're calling in for cocktails, catching up over coffee and breakfast, lingering over a brunch or making an evening of it with live jazz, it delivers plenty of style without ever losing substance. It's more than worth the short drive out for an afternoon that could’ve been been plucked from the pages of F. Scott Fitzgerald.
