The Man and I’s social calendar is going off big-time, and we LOVE it!! This particular evening saw us moseying down to Long Eaton to Limas and, on a sunny summer evening, there was nothing more appealing than the thought of relaxed, multi-dish, small-plate dining. There is plenty of parking nearby, both on-road and in a car park, handy seeing as Limas is bang on a main road.
Kenny, Limas’ owner, greeted us warmly at the host desk and showed us over to our table: a prime, window seat that was perfect for a spot of people-watching; my fave hobby - clearly, my nosiness has been noted! As well as an extensive range of cocktails, there is a great selection of wines, spirits and lagers; I ordered a large glass of NZ Sauv Blanc, and His Nibs decided to try the Estrella Zero. FYI, The Man said that the non-alcoholic lager was superb, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out if you’re your groups’ DD for the night.
Right from the get-go, Limas invites you in; the colourful street signage and alluring exterior tempt you inside where you discover a bright, modern vibe. Distressed wood floors complemented pale wood tables and their Lime Green- or Dark Chocolate-toned, mid-back chairs (that were thickly padded for maximum comfort, btw), and the white walls were decorated with modern, pastel-coloured swirls that meandered lazily over them. Upbeat music played at a nice level in the background, adding ambience without blocking conversation.
Broken down into sections, the menu is easy to navigate, and the specials board announced that Jerk Chicken Skewers with Pineapple and Jalapeno ‘Slaw (£10) was also on offer – we didn’t need asking twice! We ordered some Sea-Salt seasoned Padron Peppers (£5.50) and Rosemary Focaccia with Olive Oil and Balsamic (you could also choose Confit Garlic Aioli if you prefer) to graze on whilst we decided the other components of our feast. Both The Man and I love us some Padrons; there’s something about the smokiness of their blistered skins, partnered with their sweet flesh, and the tang of salt that just gets our taste buds fizzing with happiness. A superb hint of Rosemary combined with the richness of Olive Oil in the [large slab of] Focaccia to produce a mouth-watering nibble, and there was no shortage of the Olive Oil and Balsamic to dunk the bread into, either. Needless to say, those pesky pangs of initial hunger soon got the old heave-ho!
For our meal, we’d chosen the aforementioned Jerk Chicken Skewers, Lamb Loin Fillet with Romesco Sauce and Artichoke (£11), Seared Duck Breast with Beetroot Hummus, Salted Blackcurrants, and Pistachio Dukkah (£9.50), Seared Tuna with Avocado, Wasabi Mayo, Cucumber, and Chilli Oil (£10), Courgette Fritters with Cashew Cream, Pickled Courgette and Salsa Verde (£7.50), and Hot Harissa Honey-glazed Halloumi with Watermelon, Pomegranate and Mint (£7.50). The beauty of Small Plate dining is that the dishes come out as-and-when they’re ready, meaning there’s no rigidity to timing, and it is precisely this that is conducive to conversation and chilled-out eating. Without exception, the portions were generous and we were jolly stuffed when we’d finished munching; that’s another thing you have to watch out for when eating Small Plates: don’t over-order as they’re incredibly filling without you particularly noticing.
Given that Limas holds 2 AA-Rosettes, it’s no surprise when I say that the presentation was exquisite. What may come as a surprise is the fact that Limas is ‘Coeliac safe’ and is an approved venue by Coeliac UK. Kenny has/is Coeliac himself, and so all the dishes can be savoured by those with this auto-immune disease; the ONLY exception is the Focaccia bread, but this is made off-site to avoid any cross-contamination. Tell all your Coeliac friends and those that have Gluten intolerance/sensitivity!!
If you like Jerk Chicken done how it’s meant to be: medium/hot on the spice scale, with a definite punch from the Scotch Bonnet/Habanero Peppers in the spice mix, you will love this version. Chef at Limas certainly got the memo regarding this; this was proper ‘smack you round the chops’ stuff – love it! The bold pepper heat was tempered beautifully by the addition of sweeter spices such as Allspice, Nutmeg and Clove, producing a coating that paired with the juicy Chicken Breast’s mild flavour wonderfully. The Pineapple and Jalapeno ‘Slaw was surprisingly mild on the palate and the two elements melded together very nicely.
His Nibs shocked me with his suggestion of the Seared Tuna, but he got no resistance from me and, as he took his first bite, said that he was thoroughly enjoying it. A lot of folks don’t realise just how much softer and subtler the flavour of fresh Tuna is in comparison to its canned cousin, so they swerve it. Chef had seared the outer edge of the Tuna, leaving the centre velvety to the bite and, when served with creamy Avocado, cool Cucumber and keen Wasabi that rockets up to your nasal sensors and leaves just as quickly, imparting a brightly herbal note, makes for a memorable dish. This was superb, it really was.
Crisped, golden skin and fat had done their job of protecting the sweet Lamb Loin during cooking, and each slice was glistening moistly. Artichoke hearts’ ethereal paleness shone out against the vibrant red/orange hue of the Tomato-based Romesco sauce, and their earthy nutty taste balanced the smoky tang of the unctuous Romesco. I have been known to dunk bread into a hearty Romesco sauce before, but I restrained myself on this occasion…just. I came perilously close to asking Kenny for some more of that delicious Focaccia! Another marvellous dish.
Equally delicious was the sliced, Seared Duck Breast. The game meat was sumptuous and rich, so the Salted Blackcurrants were a real wake-up call for the taste buds who’d been beguiled by the Duck! Beetroot Hummus is every bit as delicious as its ‘plain’ brother; creamy and silky in the mouth, this version has the advantage of being a stunning pink colour that happens to look gorgeous next to the game meat. For an injection of texture, a crunchy Dukkah had been sprinkled on the top, a touch that was much appreciated by our senses.
If it’s crunch you’re after, look no further than the Courgette Fritters at Limas; as we bit into them, an audible sound could be heard clearly. Green Courgette had been shredded and moulded together before being fried to St. Tropez gold yumminess and was paired with a creamy Cashew Cream (vegan friendly, and like liquid silk on the tongue). It was the yellow variety of Courgette that had been pickled and thinly sliced and, oooft, was it sharp and clean on the palate! The pickles’ acidity cut through the fried intensity of the fritter perfectly, and the Salsa Verde provided another bright, clean layer of taste to this tremendous dish.
All I can say about the Hot Harissa Honey-glazed Halloumi is “yikes” dairy has been made into something super-sexy here! The ‘squeaky’ cheese had been lightly coated and fried to crisp its outer, which then got drenched in the most dazzling glaze known to man – fiery, sweet, spicy: this was serious main character. For a seemingly simple dish, this was actually quite complex thanks to the contrasting boldness of the fruits (Watermelon and Pomegranate), and the fruits were also crunchy as opposed to the softness of the Halloumi. This dish definitely needs to be in your choice of Small Plates.
It isn’t just the savoury dishes that Kenny and his team do extraordinarily well…their talents also extend to desserts – my poor waistline! I ordered the Strawberries and Cream (£8), and His Nibs opted for the Cherry Bakewell (£8) – this was a full 180 switcheroo, as I usually go for Bakewell of any description when I see it, and The Man does love Strawberries. By now, you may have figured out that the Strawberries and Cream were going to be a bit ‘extra’ Balsamic-macerated, the Strawberries were partnered by a stylish White Chocolate and Yoghurt Cremeux, Strawberry Ice Cream (with pieces of the fruit in it), and a breath-takingly spicy Black Pepper Tuille. I have to say, the Tuille looked so blooming innocent in its delicacy but, wow, it kicked like a miffed mule! Complex in its flavour profile, this was a real bobby dazzler of a dessert, featuring two pairings that were opposites in their character: fruity, perfume-like Strawberry and mellow, molasses-at-its-base Balsamic, and creamy White Chocolate and Tangy Yoghurt. Miss this at your peril!
His Nibs’ Cherry Bakewell was “every bit as marvellous” as my choice of dessert, a statement he made as he bit into the thin, buttery pastry of the case that contained the filling. Browning the butter lends an altogether more grown-up bent to the Frangipane; as well as the Almond’s nuttiness, you get more of that note (as well as a richer, toffee hint) by following this process. Within the filling were halved Cherries; soft and fragrant in the mouth, these were aided-and-abetted by a layer of fruity jam that was stealthily sandwiched between the pastry and the frangipane. Not to be outdone, His Nibs’ dessert went one step further than my ‘mono-note’ Ice Cream by having a ‘dual’ Ice Cream as its muse: a rather splendid Almond and Cherry Ripple minx that was as tasty as it sounds.
Kenny had regularly checked on our progress during the evening, checking we liked the food and making sure we had enough to drink. Table water is offered immediately as you’re seated, and we were brought a second carafe of chilled water as we dined. I’m pleased to say that service and food matched each other’s high standard, ensuring we had a terrific time at Limas in Long Eaton. Children are also welcomed at Limas even having their own menu that, for £9.95, allows them to choose two dishes from a selection of six, as well as a drink. Presently, dogs are not permitted at Limas. Hot Wings unreservedly given here!
To book a table call 0115 784 4626 or visit limas.uk and hit the ‘book now’ tab. Limas is closed Sunday and Monday, open Tues-Weds 5pm-11pm, Thurs 1pm-3.30pm and 5pm-11pm, Fri 1pm-3.30pm and 5pm-Midnight, and Saturday 1pm-Midnight.
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