Award winning restauranteur Andy Lennox has teamed up with landlord Nick Pestana to
overhaul his local, The Old Thatch in Wimborne. This project is very different to Andy's other restaurants, no influences from abroad unlike Zim braai (African) or Nusara (Thai).
The Old Thatch is a 17th century thatched pub with original timber beams and open fires, it couldn't be any more British.
I was invited along (by RoutePR ) to sample the food a couple of weeks ago, changes inside were still underway in preparation for full reopening on 17th May, 2021. When we visited only outside dining was available due to Covid 19. ~However, The Old Thatch has a large garden area and has installed a stretch tent and heaters covering part of it to protect diners from the elements, I imagine this will stay even after reopening fully, if nothing else the last few weeks has proven how unreliable the British weather is.
I have visited The Old Thatch on several occasions and the food has always been good, reasonably priced, traditional pub food, and it wasn't any different on our most recent visit, Nick tells me that the menu is continually being updated and new items will be added over time. The saying "if it ain't broke don't fix" comes to mind.
We opted for fish and chips/pie and chips followed by sticky toffee pudding, all very tasty, it did get cold quickly though, thanks to the weather not being able to make up its mind. Roll on indoor eating!
There are other plans afoot including a new woodland trail and eventually a bicycle repair shop, but my favourite addition to the The Old Thatch has to be the new store nestled into the pubs old snug. If you live in the area Stapehill Stores & Bakery must be a god send, it stocks all your household essentials and makes the most of the local fresh food suppliers. Milk, eggs, cheese, freshly baked breads & homemade cakes, locally sourced meats, Dorset chutneys, honey & sauces and a section selling flowers and locally made crafts for those last minute gifts.
If you are a fan of African food you might also want to check out the new range of sauces from Zim braai stocked in the store.
I can't wait to revisit when The Old Thatch is reopened fully and wish one of my locals would set up this type of store I would happily run it.
Good luck to Nick and Andy in this collaboration and the rest of hospitality reopening on 17th May, 2021.
Book here.
285 Wimborne Road,
Wimborne,
Dorset.
01202 406779
Comentarios