FOOD
R O M A N T I C R E S TA U R A N T S
AMANDA AND CHARLIE DIGNEY OF THE KING WILLIAM PUB AND DINING ROOMS
The married couple own the gastropub along with The Garrick’s Head on St Johns Place, and The Oakhill Inn in Somerset. Amanda tells us more… Do you enjoy working side by side? We’ve been working together for 13 years and find it works really well as long as we both know what the other is doing. Of course there are moments when we both lock horns on something and then it can feel like a fight to the death, but we are both passionate people so there’s bound to be some fireworks. What do you believe to be your secret weapon in business? Our very different character traits, which compliment each other. Where one is weak the other is strong, and vice versa. Of the restaurants you own, which one has the most romantic tales? There’s a lovely story behind one of them. The King William, which was named after King William IV, once faced the Queen Adelaide public house across the junction of Thomas Street where it meets the London Road. King William IV was married to Adelaide in 1818 and their marriage Above: Amanda and Charlie Digney of the King William; left: the couple also own The Garrick’s Head which is serving up delicious dishes for Valentine’s Day
THERE ARE
MOMENTS WHEN WE BOTH LOCK HORNS ON
SOMETHING AND THEN IT CAN FEEL LIKE A FIGHT TO THE DEATH
was a happy one. It’s said that when William was dying Adelaide refused to leave his bedside, not sleeping for four nights in order to nurse him. True love indeed. Our pub and dining rooms have been the catalyst to many, more modern, romances, one of which is very close to us. Our very good friend came to stay with us for the New Year in 2010; the evening he arrived he had one of those love-at-first-sight moments with Sam. They had their wedding 18 months later at the Guildhall, and then came the wedding party at the Garrick’s Head. What dishes would you recommend for a romantic meal for two? We like to give the option of a sharing dish for the main course, and we will always make sure there is an irresistible chocolate pudding to share too. The space at the King William is so cosy and intimate that we feel it oozes romance without having to try too hard. Where’s your favourite place to share a dinner in Bath? We like to have fun and great food too, so our number one choice at the moment is Olé Tapas. It reminds us of the food we enjoyed on our honeymoon in San Sebastián. 36 Thomas Street, Bath; www.kingwilliampub.com w
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