Food and fittings to match
Geronimo Inns has created a country kitchen menu for winter at its East Hill pub in Alma Road, Wandsworth. The theme sees the menu replaced with daily specials on blackboards offering a choice of three fish, three meat and sides of sauces, potatoes and seasonal vegetables. There are also £8 sharing platters served on farmhouse-style wooden boards and comprising a charcuterie board, an antipasto salad and a Mediterranean board. Extending into the decor, the country kitchen theme sees a mix of tartans and florals used with pine-top tables and wing-back armchairs, with rugs on the sanded wooden floors and antique cupboards filled with kitchenware.
Casual dining sector grows
Mid-market casual dining is on the increase, according to licensed property specialists Christie & Co. The news comes after Craftbutton's acquisition of Caffa Uno from The Restaurant Group. Christie's director James Shorthouse said: 'Within the last 12 months we have witnessed a number of major deals in the mid-market sector. Casual dining has become the most active part of the restaurant market in recent times.'
Caterers great at being green
The catering industry is the best at reducing energy waste, according to research from Powergen. The study revealed that 60% of caterers had taken actions to reduce energy waste over the past two years, with 80% admitting it was to save money. Powergen's Neil Gould said: 'Caterers are leading the way and showing it can make good business sense to be energy efficient.'
Compasses on new course
Freeholders Jane and Jono Clark will open the Compasses, in Pattiswick near Coggeshall, Essex, next month. The 150-cover pub follows the couple's successful venture, the Swan at Felsted, Essex, which recently won Les Routiers' award for Britain Local Food Supporter of the Year for Central and East Anglia. The new pub has a modern European à la carte menu, sourced from fresh local producers.
Register early for Food expo
Pub chefs can discover the latest food and drinks products available at the Food and Drink Expo and the Convenience Retailing Show at the NEC Birmingham between 19 and 22 March 2006. The exhibition is run by William Reed Events. Visitors will be able to sample products from 800 exhibitors from around the world. The event includes a chef competition, show restaurant and a debate about the issues affecting the food and drinks industry. To register free visit www.foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk or www.cstoreshow.com
Festive activities at the Bull
The Bull in Highgate, London, is hosting a trio of festive activities in the run up to Christmas and the New Year. Its supper club offer and carols evenings include a three-course meal plus DJ for £28.50, while the children's party for the whole family promises 'many surprises'.
Sandbar woos Leeds foodies
A Horsforth bar will re-open in the New Year after the owners and their family redesigned the interior and the menus themselves. Sean and Catherine Coleman at the Sandbar hope that all their refurbishment work will 'attract hordes of Leeds foodies'. The new bar will be three times its original size. The menu will take its influences from southern Mediterranean, north Africa, the Middle East and South East Asian regions.'