Outside at last!!

Published in The Herts Advertiser June 2019

I’m writing this with the rain lashing against the windows, but I am an optimist, and am pretty sure by the time you read this, the sun will be out! So, here is my round-up of some of the new and exciting places to go out and enjoy this summer.

St Michael’s Manor, down on lovely Fishpool Street has opened an outdoor bar for the summer. Located by the lake on the lawn, there is an outdoor bar and huge pizza oven, with seating for about 30 people. I went with the family one Sunday afternoon, and it felt as if we were on holiday; it is such a quiet and secluded part of the city, yet just a few minutes walk down from the Clock Tower. We shared a really good margarita pizza, served in a box, so you can take them onto the lawns or sit by the lake if you like; it’s very relaxed. The bar had a couple of beers on draft, Champagne and Prosecco and a good selection of gins. As they hold private functions at the weekends, the bar is only open to non-residents on Thursday and Sundays at the moment.

St Albans Vegan Market returns on Sunday 7^th July on St Peter’s Street, and there will be over 60 stalls, including lots of street food. Local companies The Green Kitchen and Tara’s Vegan Treats will be there, along with some new names to try: Cake me Happy, Global Fusion Vegan Creole, Replete Flatbreads, April’s Table, Raw Spirit Chocolate Company, Greek Vegan Deli, Home Kitchen Indian, Sun and Moon Juice and The Green Grill. The market is free entry and open 10.30–4.

Darlish ice cream near the Clock Tower is always busy on a sunny day. Have you tried their Persian-inspired ice cream yet? They have just opened a pop-up shop in Covent Garden on Long Acre, which I spotted last week. It is a smart little shop, similar to their St Albans branch, and will be open until the end of September. I love the saffron, pistachio and rose, and the baklava ice cream sandwich is the instragram must-try.

The Childwickbury Arts fair returns on 5-7 July. They always have a quirky selection of pop-up food trucks, along with live music and some seating areas, so you can make a day trip of it. I like the sound of the Dotty Mares, who will be selling gin and Pimms from their converted horse box. Now Now Bunny Chow, MasterCrepes, The Split Screen Ice cream Co, Fired Up Pizza will also be there, along with Harpenden favourites Parker & Vine. Their salads and quiches are always delicious.

The new Mad Squirrel bar in St Albans has just opened, and has a lovely outdoor patio strung with white lights. It has to be one of the best locations in the city, with amazing views of the Cathedral. You will find it next door to Lussmann’s, both upstairs and downstairs. Mad Squirrel specialise in craft beer, including their own Mister Squirrel, Roadkill and Zealous which they brew over near Hemel. Mad Squirrel also have a bar in Harpenden; more on them in this column soon.

See you out there!

The Old Cock Inn

Published in The Herts Advertiser 23 May 2019

Harpenden seems to be having a bit of a moment – I wait years for new places to open, and then lots come along at once! I had never been in The Old Cock Inn right on the High Street, even though its been there since the 16^th century – have you?

I’m not sure what the regulars make of it, but it is now all very swish, with a huge new extension making the most of the beautiful views of St Nicholas Church to the back. Inside is now bright and spacious with red and blue Sanderson wallpaper, funky lampshades and a lot of chicken-themed artworks. We went for lunch on a sunny day and the terrace is lovely – some of the tables are reserved for those eating, but there is an area outside if you just want a drink too. I noticed a real fire in the main rooms, so I am sure it will be cosy in winter too.

Owned by the Charles Wells group, the beers on tap come from them, of course, such as Echo Beach Red Ale, Bombardier and Sharp’s Altlantic. Appropriately for Harpenden there is an extensive gin, wine and cocktail list. The pub is open all day, and they have a decent coffee machine and brunch menu for the weekends. There are six boutique bedrooms (we had a peak, very smart), so they will be feeding guests too. Brunch seems pretty reasonable for the area, with poached eggs and avocado for 7.00, a veggie cooked for 8.00, as well as meaty options.

Lunch has many options, with a sandwich menu, set menu and all the pub classics you might expect. For around a tenner you can choose fishfinger sandwiches, crayfish and chilli and minute steak sandwiches; I spotted one on a nearby table and it looked a little small, but nicely toasty.

I liked the look of the set menu, with two courses for 13.50. My roasted red pepper and sweetcorn croquettes with wild garlic cream was a nice starter; I couldn’t really taste the garlic, but that is probably a good thing at lunch. A few fresh garlic flowers would have made it more cheffy, as they are in season. The Malaysian-style vegetable and lime leaf curry with coconut rice (also on the main menu) was a little bland, although perfectly ok – a few lentils would have upped the protein for a more useful lunch, and it could have been a larger portion. I couldn’t taste the coconut in the rice. I noticed that on the main menu you could pay extra to add chicken, prawns or halloumi – I’m sure the chicken and prawns would work well, but halloumi seems a bit odd.

My pal chose the Thai Edamame bean burger with vegan aioli and fries, which was more successful; there were whole edamame beans in the burger and it had a nice crunchy coating.

The pub classics might be safer choices: they do cod and chips, roasted pork with Jersey royals, chicken pie, steak, bass with mushroom and pak choi and much more. With main courses from 13.50 to 25.00, it is quite expensive for a chain pub, but I imagine they think Harpenden can handle it. You are really paying for the lovely location, and for that I think it is well worth a visit. And if you have visiting relations and pals who need a room, then this is a good option. Parking is very limited, but it is the town centre, and reflects the history of the building.

A funky new addition to Harpenden!

Datchworth Coffee Shop

Published in WH Times, November 2018

Pretty Datchworth is tiny, but incredibly well-served for good food, with The Tilbury and lovely Datchworth Coffee. The former Post Office was transformed earlier this year by owner Jas Newington and has a smart new look. I love the modern grey signage alongside the red phone box and post box. Inside is ‘industrial chic’ with exposed brickwork and funky lighting. There is an enclosed courtyard area at the back too which is very popular with cyclists and dog walkers (there are heaters if needed).

We popped in for lunch midweek and I liked the short, useful lunch menu including a soup, a couple of hot sandwiches and two salads. I chose the nicoise salad which was generous and I liked that the potatoes were freshly pan-fried. My partner chose a bacon, avocado and tomato melt which was served open and looked very appealing. The hummus and roasted vegetable panini sounds good too.

The cafe gets lots of regulars in for morning coffee and breakfast. Avocado on sourdough with eggs and bacon is very popular and you can also choose American-style pancakes, bacon baps and full cooked veggie and meaty breakfasts. The team use local suppliers including Bridget B’s for meats, Dawlicious ice cream and Tring Brewery, and their very good coffee is roasted in Hertfordshire by Campbell & Syme.

Jas’s home-baked cakes are a big draw, especially for the weekend cyclists, and we bought a slice of lemon drizzle cake to take home. You could also choose Bakewell tart, carrot cake, gluten-free chocolate brownies or freshly baked croissants.

Datchworth Coffee does monthly supper clubs, although you do have to get in quickly! November’s Winter Warmers sounds lovely, with hearty pies and sticky toffee pudding, but I’m afraid it has sold out! If you want to check out the menu for next time, pop in to talk to the team. They have an alcohol licence too.

Datchworth Coffee is open every day except Monday, and Jas told me that she has felt very welcomed by the locals. I think it is a great asset to the village.

The Cowper Arms, Cole Green

Published in WH Times, December 2018

Winter is the perfect time to head to a cosy pub and sit by a real log fire, and if that is after a country walk, all the better. The Cowper Arms in pretty Cole Green is right next to the Cole Green Way, surrounded by trees and is the perfect escape from working life. I visited last week to see the new refurbishment, and it has been transformed, with a smart new interior that makes the most of the lovely old building and surrounds.

If you just want to pop in for a drink, there are three cosy areas at the front of the pub, with two real fires. They have expanded their gin, cocktail and fizz list; I chose a Sevilla bitter orange gin which went well with a sprig of fresh rosemary.

The dinner menu has lots of choice, including plenty of pub favourites. We loved the roasted lentil falafel from the meze plate; a light texture with whole chickpeas in it. My king prawn roll with dipping sauce was beautifully prepped with crisp, fresh julienne vegetables. I chose lobster and crab fishcakes with smashed peas and it was a generous plateful for 13.50. The fishcakes were good but I didn’t think the asparagus was needed and is out of season in December.

My pal thought the roasted pork belly with seared scallops was great; it was served with dauphinoise potatoes, green beans and toasted almonds so you don’t need to order side dishes. I thought the menu was a little light on interesting vegetarian and vegan options, but if you like fish, steaks and pizzas there is plenty of choice for you. We chatted to manager Russell, who like many of the team, have worked at The Cowper Arms for years, and I am sure the chefs can adapt the menu if you need them too.

Everyone seemed excited and proud of the new pub and were looking forward to seeing all the regulars back again. I will definitely be back, and am looking forward to the lovely garden in summer!