The Stanhope Arms, Brasted

December 2021 - hallelujah - a free house, with new owners, new managers, and a total makeover.
12 of us are and drank there for a pre Christmas get together.
3 courses each, great food, great beer and great valu.
We were there from lunchtime until 10pm. We are and drank what we wanted and the bill oy just came in at about £50 a head - amazing value
I popped in again just for a drink and to make sure that it wasn't a one off.
The second time around,I was equally impressed.
4 real ales with interesting and tasty choices to choose from and new ones due to come on making me want to come back The Larkin's porter and old dairy Uber brew were particularly good.
Matt the new manager keeps a cracking good pint and knows his stuff.
Add in a choice of 4 lagers, 2 ciders, a craft beer and Guinness and the choice is amazing.
I also met Ana who runs the front of house and who cooked possibly the best sausage roll I have ever tried.
This whole place has has a top notch makeover and screams out that it is a quality country pub.
Like all newly refurbished places, it still needs to develop some character but as Matt explained , that is not just about putting rubbish up on walls, it will take time and he also explained the plans for adding some booths inside.
I looked at the garden which is going to be a paradise in the summer and I understand that there is also a kids play area being built.
Even more exciting was the rotisserie chicken machine which will be added some time next year and exciting things like schnitzel that may be added to the menu and which will keep dragging me back. I only wish that I lived a little closer. You would never keep me out..

23 Dec 2021 08:42