Fine food and drink news from around the county

Great British Life: Tilbury turbot (Photo: Sharon Struckman)Tilbury turbot (Photo: Sharon Struckman) (Image: sharon struckman)

Berkhamsted Boat sails ahead

Local produce is at the fore of new menus at one of Berkhamsted’s most popular pubs, the Boat, which has reopened after a major month-long refurbishment.

Noted for its dining terrace alongside the Grand Union canal and with all dishes made fresh every day, the Boat (above) features meat from Eastwood’s butchers across the street, and cakes and pastries freshly made by a Berkhamsted bakery. The drinks menu includes a rotating list of craft beers from Tring and Haresfoot breweries.

Lussmanns to open in Hitchin

Independent restaurant group Lussmanns Fish & Grill is adding a fourth outlet to its portfolio this month after taking over an historic building in Hitchin formerly occupied by Strada.

Managing director Andrei Lussmann said the new property, which joins Hertford, St Albans and Harpenden, provided the ‘perfect setting’ for his restaurants’ blend of ethical, affordable and sustainable dining. ‘We are committed to making sustainable dining a reality on the high street and after a long search for the right location, we are delighted to be coming to Hitchin,’ he added.

Bainbridge Bros at White Hart

Welwyn’s historic White Hart Hotel has reopened as the latest project for brothers Tom and Jamie Bainbridge, whose portfolio also includes the two-AA-Rosette Tilbury gastro-pub and the Old Post Office tea rooms, opposite one another in Datchworth.

The 14-room hotel, a 17th-century former coaching inn beside the River Mimram, had been closed since the previous tenants left in January. In charge of the food now is head chef Charles Wheeler from the Tilbury, who will be running the kitchen full-time at the White Hart with fellow chef Jamie Bainbridge.

In another move, the brothers have launched a pop-up burger bar every Friday from 6-8.30pm at the Old Post Office, with eat-in or take-away gourmet burgers from £7.

Fidget Pie hits British high

Hemel Hempstead residents have triumphed in a cookery competition by taking two of the three top prizes.

Lauran Wise and Anthony Lees entered the White Brasserie Company’s Pie in the Sky promotion, held to celebrate British Pie Week in March. Wise’s fidget pie, with ham, apple and cheese, and Lees’ rabbit and mustard creation were both selected by White Brasserie Company executive chef Clive Fretwell. The winning pies are now available as rotating specials at The Highwayman, Berkhamsted, and at eight other pubs in the White Brasserie portfolio.

Festival curates food

Street food, a new pop-up restaurant called Ceru Souk and craft beers are joining the music and events line-up at next month’s Standon Calling music festival.

Organisers say the new feature, curated by food aficionado Nigel Birch, means the gathering will be the tastiest yet, with Spit and Roast, Club Mexicana, Made of Dough, Mac Factory, Barnaby Sykes, Le Bun and Cheeky Italian also among the food traders present.

The festival runs from July 29-31 in the grounds of Standon Lordship manor. For full details, see standon-calling.com