You might like to make a diary note on a top-notch festival that’s on the very near horizon:
1-3 September: Pub in the Park, Chiswick House
Chiswick House and Gardens is being transformed into a foodie wonderland again as Pub in the Park Chiswick returns. Festival goers can expect award-winning chef hosts, a range of pubs and restaurants plus music for all to enjoy. Two chefs not seen before at Pub in the Park Chiswick will be hosting: Chef and TV presenter Andi Oliver launches the festival on Friday. She’s followed by Geordie chef Si King from The Hairy Bikers, on Saturday, and Michelin starred chef Tom Kerridge will host Sunday. Festival goers can expect exclusive Q&A’s and live demos from the trio of hosts. And other chefs and experts will be hosting the chef and music stages. Andy Clarke will be bringing the vibes to the main stage, and award-winning food writer, cook and presenter, Jo Pratt, compering on the chef demo stage. If open flame cooking is your thing, DJ BBQ & T Bone Chops will be showing you how it’s done on the Firepit.
British and Afghan BBQ fusion from Cue Point, British pub food from Great British Bake-Off winner Candice Brown’s The Green Man and returning culinary talents from Tom Kerridge’s two Michelin-starred The Hand & Flowers, Atul Kochhar Restaurants and Cubitt House.
And there’ll be live gigs from some huge names in music. The legendary Ronan Keating will be headlining Friday night, supported by the godfather of party bangers, DJ Judge Jules. Throwback English pop band The Hoosiers will be bringing the good times on Saturday afternoon. For Saturday evening, the platinum-selling group McFly is set to take to the Pub in the Park stage by storm, joined by General Levy. On Sunday the revered English rock band Squeeze, musical duo Simon & Oscar from Ocean Colour Scene and Mother Pukka will be bringing the vibes all afternoon.
There are also some new ticket packages this year, so check them out here
Restaurant News
Napoli on the Road comes to Richmond
Now, if you’re a pizza fan, you’ll be very interested to know that Red Lion Street in Richmond has another pizza restaurant: Neapolitan pizzeria, Napoli on the Road.
It’s the second branch – the original site is in Devonshire Road in Chiswick – specialising in seasonal spins on the classic dish. Head chef and founder Michele Pascarella has recently been awarded Pizza Maker of the Year 2023 and started his business by wandering around with his three-wheeler Ape Piaggio making wood fire pizzas all over London.
The seasonal approach is what sets this pizzeria apart, and there is an ever changing menu to reflect the bounty of each season. An open kitchen concept allows guests to witness the pizzaiolos as they hand-stretch the dough and assemble each pizza. Pizzas range from £10.95 to £18.95, with vegan options as well. Wine is from £24.50 a bottle and £5 for 125ml glass.
Fingers Crossed for The Drummond at Albury!
The Drummond at Albury has had its glorious riverside garden singled out for praise by being named a finalist in the Best Pub Garden category of the Great British Pub Awards 2023. It now goes forward to the final stage of the national awards which will be announced on 19th September.
This classic English village inn, situated in the village of Albury in the heart of the Surrey Hills, has a beautiful garden that stretches the width of the pub and forms a natural link between the attractive 19th century building and the River Tillingbourne that runs past it. You can read my review of it from earlier this year here
Since taking over the pub, owners Peach Pubs have invested in a new garden design that has transformed the outside and created a place for guests to eat and drink alfresco whilst enjoying the beauty and tranquillity of The Drummond’s setting.
There is a spacious patio area, with weathered herringbone and sandstone paving planted with stylish statement plants and furnished with comfortable chairs and tables where guests can sit in the sunshine and enjoy a glass of local ale or a G&T made with Silent Pool gin distilled in Albury. A verdant lawn next to the riverside is the perfect spot to sit and read a book or stretch out on a blanket and there is a stylish opening and closing pergola offering cover as well as a bookable space for parties, dinner parties and even wedding breakfasts.
