The Grandison, Hertford

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Bucking Fastard left this review about The Grandison

After a long closure The Grandison reopened 15 months ago as a gastro pub with a small deli and farm shop in a seperate side building.On entering ,there is a small restaurant to the right and a larger lounge and bar to the left with ,at the rear, french windows that open onto a tidy garden with bench seating.The building is clearly old and there are some exposed beams but the internal decor is unremittingly modern with arty wallpaper along one lounge wall,spotlights and comfortable modern furniture throughout.Bare boarded floors complete the upmarket vibe.There is a wood burner in the lounge and the bar is surrounded by red leather bar stools.Modern tunes are played constantly at background volume,there is free wifi and newspapers ,and the lounge is dog friendly.All very commendable.

Most lunchtime customers are there to eat but an effort is made to attract the drinker with adverts for an upcoming beer festival and St Patrick's Day .There are four handpumps,one unused with Woodford's Wherry as a regular and St Austell Tribute and a well kept Tring Little Tinker as rotating guests on my visit.There are lager fonts for some rarely seen continental beers as listed on the drinks menu.
The food is very well cooked,imaginative and quite rich ;most definitely worth the premium pricing.The service is professional and well meaning if a shade obsequious.
I would certainly return for a meal,but the makeover has lessened the attraction of spending a session here on the ale.

On 19^th January 2011 - rating: 7
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