FOOD & DRINK

The George IV unveils Tapas-style Spring menu

The same menu will be available at both lunchtime and in the evening, bar one dish (southern fried chicken wrap) which is for lunchtime only, from Wednesday to Saturday. On Sundays, the usual Sunday menu including a choice of roasts will be served.

The George IV at Great Amwell has launched a new Spring menu featuring a selection of Tapas-style dishes intended for sharing at the table.

Chef Oliver D’Arcy has moved away from the traditional starters, mains and desserts style of menu and created a series of medium-sized dishes that you can make a meal of by ordering several plates to be shared between friends. All dishes are freshly prepared so each will be

Sharing dishes on the menu at Cote this Spring

French brasserie chain Cote has launched its new Spring menu designed by the group’s executive chef Steve Allen.

The new dishes use fresh, seasonal ingredients to showcase classic French cuisine.

To celebrate the French tradition of sharing there are a number of new ‘For the Table’ dishes that includes a charcuterie board of Bayonne ham, truffle saucisson, coppa ham and cornichons, served with crusty sourdough baguette with Brittany salt butter. There’s also a baked Camembert with a herb and lemon breadcrumb crust, honey marinated cherry tomatoes and freshly baked sourdough baguette; served as soon as they are ready. There is a wide range of options to choose from, including Padron peppers; an heirloom tomato tart with broccoli and boccachini; hot wings with hot sauce and green chilli slaw; and lamb croquettes with lovage aioli. The menu also features smaller versions of old favourites such as The George IV burger (which you might want to keep all to yourself!).

There is a choice of desserts including a cheeseboard too.

Coronation at The George IV For the Coronation weekend, The George IV will be open on all three days including Monday when food will be served from the new menu between 12noon and 4.30pm, with the pub closing at 6pm. Both Pimms and a special cocktail, the King Royale (think Kir Royale with a new name!) will be available, as well as a guest ale, Greene King’s Coronation Golden Ale. The George IV is in Cautherly Lane, Great Amwell SG12 9SW. Call 01920 870039 or visit georgeivpub.co.uk.

Lussmanns rings the changes with new selection of seasonal dishes

Spring has arrived at Lussmanns with a new selection of starters that includes a North African bean and chickpea soup; south coast mackerel with parmentier potatoes; woodland-reared Sussex ham hock terrine; and an MSC cod cheek and Scottish langoustine bisque.

There are new mains too that include an organic feather blade of beef; free-range Label Anglais chicken chasseur; halibut with Norfolk brown shrimps and creamed spinach; and a vegetarian Linguine Fiorentina with vegan Nduja, sun-blushed tomatoes, spinach and walnuts.

cheese gougeres (golden baked choux buns with Emmental cheese served with Dijon mustard mayonnaise); and smoked salmon croquettes made with yellow peppers, dill and red onions.

A new cheese soufflé for starters has been designed for extra luxury with a rich creamy Camembert replacing the Comte traditionally used in this Normandy classic. Among the new mains are a free range, grass fed lamb rump served with ratatouille and finished with a salty black olive tapenade and fragrant basil; and confit duck bigarade with glazed golden beetroot, fennel, mangetout and a bitter orange sauce.

Desserts include an elderflower and strawberry crème brulee and an almond financier – warm almond butter cake served with sour cherry compote and vanilla ice cream.

Launched in 2007 Cote now has more than 80 restaurants across the UK. Our nearest are at 1-3 Howardsgate, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6AL (01707 246122) and 17 North Street, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2LD (01279 657190).

The new pudding for Spring, also vegan, is poached Yorkshire rhubarb with blood orange sorbet. Andrei Lussmann’s small family of award-winning, sustainable restaurants has five Hertfordshire locations including Hertford. The others are in St Albans, Harpenden, Hitchin and Berkhamsted.

As well as the a la carte menu a Locals Set Menu, available between 12noon and 6.30pm daily, offers two courses for £19.95 or three for £23.95 and features a number of the new Spring dishes. The Hertford restaurant is at 83 Fore Street SG14 1AL. Call 01992 929500 or visit lussmanns.com to book.