New foodier format for Ember Inns
Mitchells & Butlers has launched Ember Pub & Dining. The new format moves Ember's traditional pub offer to a more premium food and family offer at mainstream prices.
Twenty of Ember Inns 135 sites have so far been converted to the format, with 60 planned by July. The vast majority of the Ember estate will be converted to the new format, which aims to offer "gastro quality food and drink." Among sites which have already been converted are the Bowling Green in Lichfield and the Markeaton and Broadway both in Derby.
The Ember Pub & Dining sites are designed with a dining area in addition to a bar area and family dining is welcomed. Ember Inns has a no children under 14 policy. More premium exteriors and signage are also offered in the new format.
The food offer has been simplified in terms of the number of dishes offered and up to six daily specials are available.
The menu mixes pub classics with dishes such as Somerset brie and grape salad, smoked haddock kedgeree fishcakes and St Clements steamed pudding with farmhouse vanilla ice cream.
Two fixed-price menus with two courses from £6.95 and three-courses from £8.95 are being offered before 5pm. The format also introduces a young guest menu, with smaller main-menu portions.
Cask ale continues to be a focus, with some sites having up to eight available, while a new wine range features selections from the International Wine Challenge.
Andre Johnstone, Ember Inns' senior marketing manager, said: "Ember Pub & Dining is a very exciting roll out for us. We are building on our successful core offer of good value meals and a focus on cask ales and wines."
