The Clarendon, Rickmansworth

The Clarendon Arms was formerly a traditional real ale and pub grub country boozer, ideal for a beer stop when walking or cycling the north Watford villages. It was then closed in early 2007 for a major refurbishment and reopened almost two years later as an upmarket gastro pub/restaurant, now known as The Clarendon. And you can see why it took 2 years as they have virtually rebuilt the place from the ground up. I’m not sure what I actually feel about this place?. I am torn between bemoaning the loss of another traditional country boozer and applauding the bravery of the new owners in doing something very very different. Although it does have a bar and lounge area downstairs, it definitely is now very much more restaurant than pub. The long bar does support three real ale hand pumps , but they are hidden away below the bar at the end, in a way that you get the feeling that the consumption of ale is discouraged in favour of wine and champagne coctails. The main restaurant section is upstairs but the ground floor area is even referred to as the ‘casual dining area’. However , both sections have had no expense spared on them and the décor is bold and modernistic. And the toilets and outside smokers shelter would not be out of place at The Ivy. The target demographic are those who are more at home at the nearby Grove, or those whose expense budgets can still handle >£50 a head for 3 course dinner with wine. We ate in the down stairs dining area , where the mains start at £15. The food was good, but IMHO not that good to justify the cost. But as I am leaning to applauding the bravery of the owners I would say go and see for yourself. However for me, it’s no longer a place for a pint whilst cycling, and when I decide to blow £100 to treat the wife to something special, then I will be booking a table at The Grove. p.s. no rating left as I consider this place now in the Restaurant category