Rules. And Cheeseburgers.
I need to deal with a delicate matter straight off.
It concerns the Fried Onion Cheeseburger, available in the bar only. And that’s just it, it really is only available in the bar. A diner of a certain heft commended himself to us all by ordering one ‘as a side’ in the dining room last week. Perhaps he imagined this might open up some form of loophole, through which he could gallop freely, as if in a dream.
But no. Rules, alas, are rules.
Said cheeseburger made me think I ought to tell you a bit about eating in the bar. This is quite different from the dining room - and in many ways just as good.
Firstly, you can have the Fried Onion Cheeseburger there. It is very beefy, and very cheesy and very fried-oniony. Insiders have been adding an extra beef patty which in all honesty makes it one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten.
This somewhat decadent practice is now formalised, as of today, with the launch of our new Bar Menu which features what we are calling the Double Double. This is a lunch special with said doubled-up burger and a pint of Double Diamond beer for ‘just’ £19.50. Chips, which you will be relieved to hear are not subject to any availability restrictions in either room, are extra.
Other weekday lunch specials* on the new bar menu are A Pie &A Pint (£19.50) and The Half & Half which is 1/2 doz Oysters and a 1/2 pint of Stout (£25). The pie changes from time to time and is shortly to be Guinea Fowl, Oyster Mushroom & Trotter.
Other new bar dishes include our sausage roll, made to Jake Farley’s exacting recipe, some excellent fried chicken, a plate of smoked haddock croquettes and finally skewers of what I can only describe as pre-lapsarian pork belly with apple sauce.
Secondly, it is a little known fact that customers are permitted to have the dining room menu in the bar. We will set up the table with nice linen napkins and full table service will be provided. It’s rather lovely, you feel in a civilised bubble among the hubbub.
On that bill of fare, English asparagus arrives (huzzah!) and is served with Sauce Gribiche. Other new points of interest are a springy dish of Tropea Onions and Romesco and - for pudding - Chocolate Pot with Salted Pistachio Shortbread.
Thirdly, and this is new, we are allowing booking in the bar now for our renowned Sunday Lunch. Half the bar will be retained for ‘walk-ins’ - so you do not need to book if you arrive early-ish (we open at Noon). Click hereto reserve a table if you like to plan ahead.
I think that’s plenty of bossiness from me…see you at the bar with a pint of foaming Best Bitter!
With my best wishes,
Jamie Allsopp
* Lunch specials are available weekdays Noon-5pm in the bar only