Some fine dining in a pleasent setting! Doesnt have to be a restaurant but i am aiming to impress...
Thanks
Monsal Head Hotel is good... main courses are great and puddings to die for... Also does real ale if that floats your boat
Dog and Partridge just outside of Ashbourne, food is excellent- all locally supplied and has some very quirky accomdation as well
The Bear at Alderwasley
Callow Hall
The Bear gets great reviews, not been lucky enough to try it yet, it's on my list.
Fischers at Baslow but brace yourself.
If you want fine dining then Fischer's is the best, though fairly formal
The Dining Room in Ashbourne is very good, though small.
Bramhalls in Ashbourne has gone down-hill but still pretty good food.
The Saracen at Shirley is very good.
The Devonshire Arms at Beeley has some great food and a nice setting. Not too formal in the new bit, or you can eat in the Bar area.
The Druid at Birchover is pretty good food wise.
Stones in Matlock seems to be getting a really good reputation (though I've not been yet), but you're just going there for the food as it's under HSBC by the river.
East lodge at Rowsley has a nice setting and good food - though it's always full of weddings.
The Bear was very good, but I haven't been for ages.
The Black Swan at Idridgehay was pretty good though I think it may have changed hands.
I'd not have even thought about the Dog and Partridge - though I've not been.
I have never been a fan of Callow hall.
A few of the above have 1 or 2 Michelin stars. HTH