Food and drink
Hunters Bar and Restaurant
Melanie Dakin and family pay a visit to Hunters Bar & Restaurant at the The Kings Lodge Hotel in Hunton Bridge
The first thing you notice about Hunters Bar and Restaurant at The Kings Lodge Hotel in Hunton Bridge, is its lovely old exterior, presenting an image of days gone by that is swiftly backed up on entering by the brick and timber fireplace emblazoned with a heraldic crest dated 1642. Built in the 15th Century, the hotel is said to have been used as a hunting lodge by Charles I, whose father, James I owned the manor of Langlebury.
The historic feel is enhanced by leather-backed chairs in the cosy bar space, which opens onto a long dining room set on two levels. Here, the heavy dark furnishings and plush carpet continue where perhaps a lighter, fresher colour scheme might have lent itself more to the refurbishment of the dining area.
Thankfully, on a bright summer's evening it is possible to sit out in the large garden before taking your table and, on Thursday evenings throughout the summer, diners will be able to stay outdoors and enjoy a barbeque supper.
The rest of the week, the menu features a mixture of traditional English fare such as bubble and squeak, game terrine, steak and kidney pie and sausage and mash alongside more modern European dishes such as prawns in chilli and lemon dressing, goat's cheese and sunblushed tomatoes with balsamic vinegar, sea bass with citrus fruits or wild mushrooms and fresh vegetables wrapped in a filo parcel.
It was good to see plenty of vegetarian options on the menu and the entrée of crudites of pepper, courgette and carrot with dips makes for a healthier start to the meal than the ubiquitous bread roll. In fact, my children liked them so much we had a second helping.
My smoked salmon starter with horeseradish crêmé fraichè was refreshing and tasty and for my main course, I went with the chef's special, the hunter's golden topped fish pie. There were good chunks of fish in this but only salmon and very small prawns. The taste was a bit sweet for me.
Elsewhere, my daughter thoroughly enjoyed her chicken with cranberry filled Yorkshire pudding, my son enjoyed his margherita pizza and my husband's steak was cooked really well, but the accompanying chips and peppercorn sauce weren't noteworthy.
The warm chocolate brownie and ice cream with toffee sauce, however, were demolished with gusto.
The service was great and the unfussy style made for a relaxed evening enjoyed by all. It may not be fine dining, but it's a good option for a leisurely Sunday lunch. We'll be back one of these warm summer nights for the Thursday barbecue soon.
Hunters Bar and Restaurant, The Kings Lodge Hotel, Hunton Bridge, Kings Langley. 01923 441141
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