On Saturday evening we had the pleasure of enjoying a wonderful evening of food and drinks at the beautiful Casa Hotel.  Our evening began with drinks in the Barca Bar and my Watermelon Martini was a deliciously fruitful way to start the evening......  I must admit that I could get used to this elegant yet relaxed bar and indeed working my way through the extensive Cocktail Menu!

I was aware that Cocina had recently been awarded the AA rosette so I must admit I had very high expectations beforehand and I was not disappointed!  The Restaurant is again wonderfully and sympathetically decorated, there is a lovely lounge area to enjoy a drink before your meal and a fantastic open kitchen, with windows down the side, so you can see the chef and kitchen staff, hard at work.  

Being a dessert person myself I wanted to ensure I had enough space left to enjoy and so to start we shared rustic bread rubbed with tomato, garlic and olive oil.  For our mains I enjoyed the most wonderfully cooked Gressingham Duck with potato rosti and spinach tower and drizzled with a burnt orange jus.  I asked for a medium cooked duck which was cooked to perfection, almost melt in the mouth, which I could never manage with duck.  My partner chose from the Specials Menu and was treated to a plump, again perfectly cooked Halibut in a pea risotto with asparagus.  

All of the meat served is organically reared and sourced from Walton Lodge Farm, only four miles away from the Casa Hotel.  Further as we were informed by one of the many attentive waitresses that evening that some of the meat and fish is cooked in a Josper oven, which is in effect a closed barbeque, which is used to seal and cook the meats very quickly, and to great effect.

For dessert I enjoyed a delightfully wicked warm chocolate fondant covered in chocolate sauce with raspberries and orange sorbet.  I absolutely adore chocolate and this was so very chocolaty however served with the lovely refreshing orange sorbet and raspberries it wasn't too overpowering.  The other half decided on the Blueberry panna cotta with cherry jelly which perfectly complimented each other and were the perfect end for the meal.

Cocina @ Casa Hotel is a wonderful choice for an exquisite evening meal, celebration or special occasion.  It is not the cheapest restaurant but you can rest assured you will only be treated to the highest quality food and drinks and you will certainly be well looked after by the friendly and attentive staff.  The food was definitely the finest I have had the pleasure to enjoy recently.  The lunch and early evening menu is also a very reasonably priced option with 2 courses being priced at £12.95 and 3 courses for £15.95.  I would highly recommend the Cocina Restaurant and Barca Bar, go on treat yourselves!!

To book a table please call 01246 245 999 or e-mail enquiries@casahotels.co.uk please remember to let them know you were recommended by thebestof Chesterfield....