Fifth site for hotel group
Independent hotel operator Thorpeness and Aldeburgh Hotels have opened a fifth site.
The Suffolk company has opened 300-year-old freehold the Crown at Woodbridge. The site includes 10 bedrooms and four restaurant areas.
The Crown was bought from Greene King in 2008 and has been refurbished with features including a rowing boat suspended from the bar's ceiling. The group also owns the Swan at Lavenham and the White Lion in Aldeburgh, Suffolk.
The Crown holds 85 covers and chef/patron is Stephen David whose CV includes executive chef from 1997 to 2000 at the Hoste Arms in Burnham Market. David and partner Rebecca Mackenzie co-own society caterer Bespoke Events and brasserie Earsham Street Café at Bungay, Suffolk.
Grahame Tinnion, Thorpeness and Aldeburgh Hotels operations director, said: "As a group, we look at opportunities to strengthen our portfolio where there are obvious gaps for our particular style of hands-on hotel-keeping and all the properties we own have very different client bases and unique identities. With Stephen's commitment and expertise we have been able to create something we think is very special and very different, taking advantage of Woodbridge's rapidly growing reputation as an upmarket weekend destination and a food and travel hotspot. "
As much produce as possible for the inn's menu comes from Suffolk artisan producers. The daily changing menu features salt cod brandade, soft boiled quails eggs, pickled beetroot, charred sourdough (£6.50); scrambled egg, smoked Butley Creek eel and spinach on buttered crumpet (£8); pan fried calves liver, streaky bacon, parsley mash and red wine braised shallots (£14.50); twice-cooked pigs cheeks, polenta, wilted spinach, anchovy, capers and sage (£13.50); English rose veal t-bone (£20); and a selection of superfoods marinated salads (ranging in price from £6.50 to £12).
