FOOD & DRINK

Why Bramfield’s Grandison is the ideal place for summer

It was back in 2008 that husband and wife team Aaron and Cheri Clayton bought The Grandison in the attractive village of Bramfield, just north of Hertford. With hard work and dedication over the next 10 years they turned the pub into one of the area’s bestknown establishments, one with an enviable reputation for its good food and hospitality. Having done so they decided to take a well-earned step back from the day to day running of the business for a while, leasing the pub to new management. Now, five years on and with that lease at an end, and after a brief closure of less than two weeks, Aaron and Cheri reopened the pub on Friday 9th June in perfect time for the summer season. Very much aware of the time at which they have re-entered the industry, and with customers’ budgets squeezed, Aaron and Cheri have put together very affordable new menus with a la carte mains starting at just £9.25. On weekdays a set menu offers two courses for £12.95 or three for £15.95 at lunchtime and in the evening. And drinks too have been reduced in price, with some pints at the bar as much as £1 cheaper than previously.

As a free house, The Grandison continues its tradition of offering well-kept real ales, including a local beer from Buntingford Brewery, and also has a keenly priced wine list.

Visitors can expect classic casual country pub dining. Where possible, everything is made from scratch, using local suppliers and seasonal ingredients. A selection of staple pub classics and changing seasonal dishes will keep the menu fresh and interesting all year round and full menus can be viewed on the new website, grandisonpub.com.

What’s on the menu?

The weekday set menu includes starter choices such as chicken parfait with chutney and toast; and mains Suffolk pork sausages with creamed potato, crispy leeks and red wine gravy; or pea and mint risotto with brioche and Parmesan crumb.

The main menu features starters including a deli board with chicken parfait, salt and pepper squid, whitebait, halloumi fries and homemade arancini (£18.95). There is an excellent choice of main courses, from catch of the day with samphire, peas, mussels, brown shrimp and dauphinoise potato, for fish-lovers; to homemade pie of the day with creamed potato, buttered greens and red wine jus (£14.50); or halloumi stack with chargrilled peppers, courgettes and aubergine with sauté potatoes and pesto dressing at £13.50.

On Sunday, a selection of dishes from the main menu is offered alongside a choice of roasts. All roasts are served with garlic and thyme roast potatoes, parsnip purée, red cabbage, buttered greens, pan gravy and

Yorkshire pudding. The pub is open Tuesday to Sunday from 12noon to 11pm, with food served from 12-3pm and 5.30-9pm Tuesday to Saturday, and from 12-4.30pm on Sunday. And don’t forget it has front and rear terraces that are just perfect for outside summer dining!

The Grandison

18 Bury Lane, Bramfield SG14 2QL 01992 554077 grandisonpub.com

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