The executive chef of pubco Animal Inns is opening his first site.
Daniel Smith — who has worked at the Wildebeest Arms in Stoke Holy Cross, Norfolk, for 10 years — has formed Avian Inns with business partner Gregory Adjemian.
The 50-cover Ingham Swan, in Ingham, near Stalham, Norfolk, is a Woodfordes Brewery lease. The site is one of two pubs owned by the Norfolk brewer. Avian Inns hope to open more sites next year. Around £50,000 has been invested in refurbishing the 50-cover site which opens on the 19 April. Bed and breakfast, utilising five boutique bedrooms, works out at £70 to £95.
Smith will be head chef at the site. His CV includes working with the Roux Brothers at Le Gavroche in London and Galton Blackiston's Morston Hall where a Michelin star was achieved during his time as head chef. The Ingham Swan will offer real ales from Woodfordes Brewery and whisky from the English Whisky Company.
The menu, which will change daily, will focus on seasonal Norfolk produce. Smith will make home-made ice creams and bread. Both a bar and main menu will be on offer.
Sample dishes on the main menu include Cromer crab and feta salad with avocado purée, crispy crab cake and pink grapefruit vinaigrette (£8.50); smooth chicken liver parfait with apple & celeriac salad, tomato & pear chutney (£6.95) roast belly of pork with sea salt crackling (£14); roast longshore cod with crushed Jersey royal potatoes (£15).
Bar dishes offer smoked haddock gratin with crème fraîche and spinach (£11.50) and local asparagus salad, with hollandaise and poached egg (£6.50).