Cedric Bosi buys his own pub
The brother of French chef Claude of Hibiscus fame, the Mayfair restaurant, has taken on the privately owned leasehold of the Charlton Arms in Ludlow - the town where Hibiscus began in 2000 before moving to London.
Cedric previously managed the Malt House in Fulham and the Fox and Grapes in Wimbledon, both south-west London. A manager has been brought in to each venue for his replacement.
The Charlton Arms reopened after a light refurbishment and has nine bedrooms, which will all be redone at some point. There is seating for up to 80 people across the bar and restaurant area, a big fucntion room downstairs that is already booked for weddings, two 40 to 50-seater balconies overlooking the River Teme and a large garden, also overlooking the river.
Welcoming
“We were in Ludlow before and have family in the area so when the opportunity came up, we went for it,” said Bosi. “Our menu offers a large selection of bar snacks with a focus on pub food using fresh produce and good suppliers. Because we are a rambler destination I’d like to be at the start or finish of a walk and welcome people in for a pint and a snack.”
Dishes created by head chef Steven Smith include rump of Welsh lamb with white bean, chorizo, mint and coriander (£14.70) and braised ox cheeks hash with wilted spinach, celariac remoulade and bourguignon saice (£13.50). Bar snacks include smoked haddock croquette (£4), scotch eggs (£3.50) and 12 piri piri tiger prawns (£13.50) and a lunch time wrap menu gives way to a grilled section in the evening starting at £11.50 for a burger and £14 for a rump steak.
The pub is averaging 40 covers a day after being open for a week with minimal advertising and Bosi says they are relying on word of mouth more than paid-for opportunities.
Bosi is “working closely” with the nearby Ludlow Brewery and may make a bespoke ale in the future.
