A very dear friend of mine introduced me to this little gem a few months ago. We needed a place where we could sit and chat and drink all night. Comfy seat, a nice atmosphere and drinks a plenty.

"I know this great place, where I was taken to the other week, it has amazing light and lots of character, you'll like it" she boasted.

Upon traveling over the bridge and down a dark street, past derelict buildings and creeping trees I began to wonder "where are you taking me" I announced.

Just a little while further, and there on the corner, as if by magic a little rustic pub appeared.

I fell head over heels immediately. Old and charming and furnished with dark antique wood, antlers and animal skins create the decor. It has that very nostalgic feel about itself, you can imagine punters from the past raising a tankard of mead and singing characteristically out of tune. Almost every table was lit by candles each paired with small vases hosting little flowers, creating the romantic ambiance we so desired.

As we cosy'd up in the window seats, we spotted boards of gorgeous food being handed out on boards. "This place does food too!?" I was sold, I checked out the menu when I returned home and good grief what a wonderful assortment of fine dishes, apparently most of Derby already knows about The Exeter Arms, but still wanted to write this anyway.

So when Ben and I managed to snag a day off together I skillfully maneuvered our wanderings to this side of town. Both hungry and in the need of a cold pint we ventured fourth into this little rustic venue, some of us again. This time I had every intention of ordering some food.

We slithered through and around the place, it was heaving. Bustling with hearty laughter and the clinking of wine glasses. Pretty sure the place isn't a secret as every table was booked at some point throughout the evening, luckily we managed to locate a quiet corner for two.

"So food! Ben find me a menu!"

Eventually locating a menu, Ben read out every single dish (because I had left my glasses doh!) I could however, see an impressed expression slowly creep across his face as he read out an impressive selection of ingredients and dishes.

Since seeing two beef burgers being paraded around on big heavy wooden boards on my first visit I was pretty set on sampling one of those for myself first. I had a proper craving for a proper burger.

"Two beef burgers please, one with blue vinney cheese and the other with Chorizo; a pint of Camden and a bottle of Desperado's, thanks"

Excellent. The sun was shining, it was warm, nice cold beers and proper burgers on the way.

When they arrived, I'm pretty sure the waitress was walking in slow motion, had big white feathered wings and wore a halo, a heavenly glow basked around her... or something like that. I forget.

I tend to get a little frustrated when ordering burgers these days, they always come with an abundance of nonsense toppings, avocado, bacon, relish, three types of salad onion rings and the kitchen sink for instance. I'm sure some people revel in all those extras, not us, we like to taste the meaty flavour of the burger itself, a little salad and maybe some cheese.

Even though, The Exeter offers as many extras as you like on your burger, you can only add them onto two types of burger beef or vegetarian (not beef) this gives you the freedom to customise it to your taste. I would definitely recommend the blue cheese as a topping!

Not forgetting the homemade chips! Fantastically crunchy. Skins on, yes!

If burgers aren't really your cuppa tea, not to worry they offer an award winning menu, complete with the likes of local Derbyshire steaks, OX fritters, rustic rolls and more over.

We were quite blown away by the menu, you just wouldn't expect it. I'm very glad that I was introduced to this awesome place, safe to say, we'll definitely be back.