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THE HARE - The Review
REVIEW Food
Restaurant Review of The Hare
The Hare Country Pub and Restaurant in Roxwell was another restaurant recommendation from a Face of Chelmsford reader, who has dined there several times since the restaurant re-opened in September 2010. Prior to then the Hare had been closed for four months for major remodelling, resulting in a complete transformation. The restaurant is managed by Gary Downham, William Crighton and executive chef Jean Luc Humphries, who really pay attention to detail and offer a great dining experience. The Hare is one of those special places that captures a traditional feel with some contemporary touches. The space has been really opened up and the newly-exposed natural wood beams look amazing. Pie & Pint Inns are committed to providing their customers with traditional, great-tasting food, which is always freshly made to order from high-quality ingredients. They source their produce from local suppliers and offer a really delicious selection of handmade cakes and other desserts. Their signature bread is a low-GI multi-seed loaf that contains wheat bran and oat flakes along with pumpkin, linseed and sunflower seeds. It is served warm on a wooden board and is really tasty. The Hare offers a range of meals starting with breakfast from 10 a.m. where you can have a traditional fry-up, hot breakfast sandwiches, cakes and coffee. Lunch is available from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; sample their ploughman’s, salads, sandwiches and soups. On to dinner where you can have traditional or classic meals, starters, sides and deserts. The traditional meals are served with a complimentary cup of soup or chef’s salad, and are an excellent value. I also appreciate the unusual fact that the Hare serves food continuously from the time they open ‘til they close. So convenient! As for specific dishes, I really liked the prawn and crayfish cocktail and the lamb shank, and the dessert counter is fantastic. It has an enormous selection, ranging from The Hare’s own Toblerone cheesecake to individual Lemon Meringues. It was hard to pick, but the chocolate gateau was definitely a good choice! Other features include free Wi-Fi and a set menu on Sundays with a choice of classic British roasts in addition to other meals.
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A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE HARE... Garden - The Hare has a really picturesque, fully-landscaped garden with a river at the back. Well-lit and kitted out with chunky tables and chairs, it will be great for summer! Take-Home Dessert - This has got to be one of my favourite things. If you can’t manage dessert straight after your meal, choose what you want and take it with you at a discounted price. Or why not surprise the family and bring desert home for them!
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Gift Cards - Gift cards are now all the rage, and what could be better than a gift card for an evening out.
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Wine Wednesdays - Just launched is the Hare’s new ‘Wine Wednesdays’ offer, where you can purchase a full bottle of house wine, red or white, for just £6.50 when combined with the purchase of two main meals. Choose from the traditional menu and a two-course meal with bottle of wine can be had for under £30!
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Valentine’s Day - For Monday, February 14th, The Hare will offer a special Valentine’s menu to celebrate the romance in your life.
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Pancake Day - Join The Hare on Tuesday, March 8th for Pancake Day and choose from a mixture of savoury and sweet pancakes. Pancakes will be served between 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
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Breakfast Club - Calling all car enthusiasts! The Hare is starting a Breakfast Club on the First Saturday of the month, between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.; it will be a monthly gathering of car enthusiasts from Essex and surrounding counties. You can arrive in any car, but the more interesting the better. The first meeting is set for Saturday, April 2nd, and participants will receive free coffee and Danish pastries.
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DETAILS General Manager: William Crighton Executive Chef: Jean Luc Humphries Our Ratings: Outstanding | Excellent | Good | Average | Poor Food Excellent – The food is very good with good portion sizes, and the dessert counter has desserts to die for. Décor Outstanding – The restaurant has had a complete revamp; it is a traditional English pub with fixtures and fittings of a really high standard and very well done. Service Excellent – All staff at The Hare are very polite and attentive. Value Good/Excellent – Prices are around £10 for a main course, and with their traditional meals a small starter is included, which pushes the value from good to excellent.
Opening Days and Hours Monday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 10:3 0 p.m. Reservations - Not always necessary; can call 01245 248788 to book. Parking - Parking is available in The Hare’s car park. Meals served - Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks with continuous service throughout the day. Dress code - Smart casual. Website - www.pieandpintinns.co.uk Telephone - 01245 248788 Address - The Hare at Roxwell, Bishops Stortford Road, Roxwell, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 4LU Date Re-Opened - September 7, 2010 Good For - Any and all occasions, from business lunches to celebratory meals, and even for when you just can’t be bothered with the washing up. Special Features - They have their own cask ale (Golden Crust) brewed by Brentwood and a garden that would be the envy of any establishment come the summer sun. Atmosphere - Comfortable, warm and inviting. A Little History - The Hare opened just 21 weeks ago after a complete refurbishment. It is a traditional English pub, finished to a high standard and serving a range of meals and beverages with continuous service from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Based in Roxwell, this pub offers quality food and wine in really nice surroundings and features a landscaped garden with relaxing views. www.thefaceofchelmsford.com
THE MENU Starters COCKTAIL OF ATLANTIC PRAWNS 6.25 & CRAYFISH TAILS Crisp iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes and our homemade cocktail sauce SMOOTH CHICKEN LIVER & BRANDY PâTÉ 4.95 Red onion marmalade & toast
Main Course SLOW COOKED POT ROAST 12.95 SHANK OF LAMB Creamy mash, redcurrant & rosemary gravy STEAK & GOLDEN CRUST ALE PIE 10.95 28 day aged beef, slowly braised with baby onions in a rich golden crust ale gravy, finished off with a shortcrust topping, buttered carrots and broccoli, creamy mash or minted new potatoes.
Desserts DESSERTS FROM THE COUNTER 5.25
Drinks Sentina Versare Pinot Grigio (ltaly) 10.25 4.00 2.85 Dry, crisp and refreshing with a clean finish. Ventisquero Sauvignon Blanc Clásico (Chile) 15.80 5.70 4.05 This Sauvignon is rich and fruity with citrus, grapefruit and passion fruit flavours and a pleasant finish.
The Face of Chelmsford 01245 290205 Editor Jane Holloway jane@thefaceofchelmsford.com www.thefaceofchelmsford.com info@thefaceofchelmsford.com 7 BROOMFIELD ROAD | CHELMSFORD ESSEX | CM1 1SY