Going OUT OUT

By Gilly Balcombe

It was the week we’d all been waiting for – the week when pubs, restaurants and cafés that have outdoor space could finally begin serving their customers, after months of closed doors in the hospitality sector. Your Editor and I decided we weren’t about to be left out of all this excitement, and we booked a table for lunch at one of my favourite pubs, The Stag in London’s Hampstead.

Well let’s face it, the weather that week wasn’t what you’d call promising but, as with everything else, the staff at The Stag had it covered. On arrival our booking was checked, we were asked for an NHS QR code, or contact details if we didn’t have one. We had chosen a two-hour time slot beginning at midday. Every single member of staff was wearing their mask correctly, over nose and mouth. We were taken through to our table in the garden, where the tables were all well distanced and we were given a huge space to ourselves. And covering the entire area were what I can only describe as two enormous tent tops, open at the sides to allow the circulation of fresh air and with judiciously placed outdoor heaters. The undersides were strung with fairy lights, there were plants here and there, and the result was that the garden was a warm and inviting space. Signs had been put up to remind customers of the sanitary regulations.

Anyone reading this who’s been to The Stag knows that the quality of the food is excellent, and this lunch service was no exception. As our starters we ordered, and shared, Macaroni Balls with Chipotle Dip and the Spinach & Artichoke Dip with Homemade Pitta Bread. The macaroni balls were crisp and golden and piping hot, just the right type of delicious, unctuous comfort food for a dismal day in London, and the chipotle dip delivered a wonderful hit of

heat. The spinach and artichoke dip was as scrumptious as always, each flavour recognisable (difficult to achieve in a dip), and perfectly seasoned. The pitta bread was hot and slightly yielding, just as it should be, and a wonderful foil for the creamy dip.

Ok, it had to be Fish & Chips for me, as I don’t see a lot of classic British fish‘n’chips where I live in France, with Pale Ale Batter, Mushy Peas and Tartare Sauce. Not so much cod and chips as whale and chips! Beautifully cooked fish in a tasty, light, crunchy batter, with ‘proper chips’ and delicious accompaniments. So delicious in fact that I forgot to take a photo before I tucked into it! Your Editor pronounced herself extremely happy with her Flatiron Chicken with Roasted Garlic, Jus and Triple Cooked Chips… it looked and smelled delicious and she assured me that it was.

We had a momentary discussion as to whether or not we should have dessert but the consensus was – how could we not, on such a momentous occasion? Our first lunch out for longer than we cared to remember! Eve chose one of the Happy Endings Ice Cream Sandwiches – a cute little block called ‘The Naughty One’, wrapped in retro design black and white waxed paper. When opened it revealed a generous filling of soft caramel parfait infused with miso, sandwiched between slices of rich, dark chocolate Guiness cake. She wasn’t sharing… For my part, it was Sticky Toffee Pudding- again an essential choice given the lack of the stuff in the South of France! The sponge was moist and light as a feather, served with lashings of toffee sauce and a ball of creamy, delicious salt caramel ice cream on the top. This was, in no way, a lunch for anyone on a diet, but my goodness it was so worth it!

All power to The Stag for doing their utmost to ensure the safety of their customers – and of their staff too. Service was smiley (even through the masks!), friendly and efficient, and we didn’t just feel safe on our first foray back into the world of eating out, we felt so well looked after by happy people who seemed delighted to welcome us with open arms to their venue. Now that the weather has (apparently) improved, the tent tops have gone, but I’m told by local friends and family that the welcome is just as warm and the food and service are just as good as always. And as for their Sunday lunches…well, all I can say is ‘You have to be there…’!

Details: Address: The Stag, 67 Fleet Road, London, NW3 2QU Website: www.thestagnw3.com Tel: 020 7722 2646 Email: thestag@londonpubs. com