food & drink news Director Patti and husband James happily pulling pints
open for business The Dog and Gun in Netheravon (nicknamed ‘the D&G’) reopened this summer after a two-year closure. We caught up with manager director Patti Russell to find out more… So, the pub has been shut for a while… Yes, back in 2017 receivers put the pub up for auction. The winning bidder intended to knock down the pub for redevelopment, but fortunately the bid fell through and the site was purchased by the Russell family, some of whom live in the village and were adamant that the pub must be saved! A mammoth grand designs property project ensued and the 18th century pub has now been completely restored to return the exterior to its traditional look at the turn of the 20th century, and the interior to a quirky mix of old and new. The current owners recall many a time when they stood in the bar and could see the sky through the roof and nearly threw in the towel. However friends, villagers and volunteers all rallied round to help. Talk us through what’s different... In addition to the atmospheric main bar/bistro area, there is a traditional snug bar and an old kitchen has been converted into a games room complete with record player, billiards table and retro board games. There are also five boutique style guest rooms named after dog breeds which all have their own distinctive designs. What about ambience? The atmosphere of the D&G is fun, relaxed and comfortable for all ages, whether coming for a quiet pint with your dog, or for a special meal. The pub is frequented by parachutists, military, tourists and villagers as well as groups of friends
and couples on a night out. The pub also runs a café during the day with a family focus, serving gourmet coffee and cakes. On Thursday evenings the pub takes great pleasure in collaborating with The Slinky Fox, the now famous local pop-up artisan pizza business. Pizzas can be enjoyed inside the pub or as takeaway, and the barn is opened up with trestle tables for a beer hall feel. The beautiful suntrap garden is usually full of families and dogs. Staying true to the name, we are completely dog-friendly and are often seen hosting mini photo shoots of the four-legged customers to feature across social media.
a chef from the Wiltshire restaurant consultancy Blue Raspberry, have worked hard to create a menu that is exciting and innovative but keeping favourites with a twist to satisfy the traditional ‘pub food’ demand. Jack and Mike have big plans for the future and are soon introducing a brunch menu to cater for the high demand for the café side of the business.
“The plan is to host live music and cultural events, with a focus on the community”
Tempt us with something on the menu… Only ethically produced food makes it onto the menu adding both to the quality and feelgood factor of the food. Our beef is farmed eight miles away. The pork farm, which supplies The Dog and Gun recently won pig producer of the year and we use local fish suppliers. The scotch egg starter and D&G burger are the current Instagram favourites. The homemade scotch egg is made with black pudding and chorizo, supplied by Walter Rose of Devizes, mixed with baby spinach and served with a watercress salad and pink lady apple sauce. The vegan Malaysian rendang curry with sweet potatoes, cashew nuts and roasted red peppers is also a firm favourite.
Who makes up the team? The young all-female management team are managing director Patti Russell, a former partner at the law firm Batt Broadbent, manager Katie Reeves, previously of the Silver Plough in Pitton, and assistant manager Georgia Shepherd, previously of the New Inn, Salisbury. Resident chef Jack Colby, and Mike Reeves,
Anything exciting in the pipeline? James, one of the directors, is a huge music fan and so extensive work has been put into the sound system and soundproofing of the barn. The plan is to host live music and cultural events and utilise The Barn space to its fullest potential, with a focus on the community and the arts. For more; www.thedogandguninn.co.uk
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