Surprise Yourself Guide to Food and Drink in Northamptonshire

SURPRISE YOURSELF! Your guide to great places to eat and drink in Northamptonshire!

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Food and Drink Guide

Northamptonshire Surprise Year of Food and Drink 2019

Rachel Mallows, MBE DL – Director of Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards, Made In Northamptonshire and member of Northamptonshire Surprise board Our sense of place comes from many things, and in Northamptonshire there is much to enjoy and promote about the place we live! The Britain’s Best Surprise campaign has been successfully honouring our historical legacy so far, celebrating in previous years our historic houses and churches alongside creating an extensive website that leads you to our visitor attractions, market towns, sports and parks (to name a few).

So why are we trumpeting the food and drink sector in 2019?

Food and drink manufacturing is the largest sector in the UK, accounting for 17% of all its manufacturing and it is a growing sector. Northamptonshire has more food and drink manufacturers than you’d expect – twice the national average - with output worth over £600m in 2016 according to the ONS. And between 1997 and 2016, output from food and drink manufacturers rose on average by 57% across the county.

The number of our local artisan food and drink producers has been steadily growing over the past ten years and it wouldn’t surprise you to know that I believe very strongly that buying local food is good for our independent businesses, good for understanding provenance of our food and better for the environment. We have an astonishing local food web supported by loyal local ‘foodies’. Made In Northamptonshire is

now an established local brand and has recently launched an online store to only sell products only made in Northamptonshire.

But the sector is more than manufacturing. Our sense of place is supported by those venues and eateries where we meet others, enjoy family get-togethers and relish food and drink. Cafés, restaurants and pubs in all their various and glorious guises are opportunities to taste food crafted by passionate chefs with, in many places, a celebration of local ingredients. They all add to our sense of place and are worthy of our patronage and our pound.

And yet many people say that they travel beyond the county to find a good place to eat. Running the county’s Food and Drink Awards, we get to see the Mystery Shopping reviews and external judging sheets that result in the selection of our finalists and winners from all our venues. I observe our young chefs and chefs at the competition cook-offs, which showcase some amazing culinary skills. Celebrity chefs who support and judge those competitive sessions all comment on the high standards and the consistent improvement year on year, as well as the creativity and innovation in the sector – strongly supported by the amazing culinary team at Northampton College. So, this section of the NeneQuirer is designed to enable us all to have a ready reference point for tasting great food to start to change that opinion. We need more people talking about the great food in our county – and that includes our pop-up restaurants, street food and catering.

As with all businesses, eateries are subject to staffing challenges and there is a real shortage of chefs across the country. Understandable when you think about the unsociable hours, but this will become an increasing issue if we are unable to attract and retain skilled people in the sector and in the

county. And if that weren’t enough, our tastes are so different. My idea of a great meal is probably very different from yours. This is such a subjective area, and yet one where, once again, I believe Northamptonshire wins because of the broad range of its offer!

My simple request during this year of food and drink then is to ask you to do two things; firstly to let us know the places and people you think are brilliant and secondly, when challenged about great places to eat in the county, never let anyone get away with saying that they have to go outside of Northamptonshire to find great food – whatever the style, taste and environment they enjoy! Because if we are to sustain and develop this sense of place - the very act of spending our pound locally and encouraging great chefs and venues to keep innovating and providing exquisite food - it needs all of us to proudly champion those places that offer food for the body and soul. I think you’ll find just what you’re looking for right here in the county - and that might just be a really rather tasty surprise! rachel@madeinnorthamptonshire.org This handy ‘pull out’ is designed to provide a helpful starting point to be able to eat out well at venues who have been winners, runners-up or finalists in our Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards ( www.northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk ) and/or are featured on the www.northamptonshiresurprise.com website.

All listings have been a winner, runner-up or finalist in the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards since 2014 and/or feature on the Northamptonshire Britain’s Best Surprise website. All meet our current relevant FHRS. Please note that every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this directory.

Food and Drink Guide

Cafes and tea rooms

Dapper Sandwich Company Dapper Sandwich Company 205 Wellingborough Road Northampton NN1 4ED www.dappersandwich.co 01604 621881 Dreams Coffee Lounge 59 St Giles’ Street Northampton NN1 1JF www.dreamscoffeelounge.co.uk 01604 636368 Evergreen Art Café 30 Sheaf Street Daventry NN11 4AB www.evergreenartcafe.co.uk 01327 878117 Forget Me Not Café Moulton Community Centre Moulton NN3 7AX www.forgetmenotmoulton.com 01604 499597 Limes Farm Limited Main Road Farthinghoe NN13 5PB www.limesfarm.com 01295 711 229

The Park Café

Pastures Poultry Farm Shop & Café Olney Road Yardley Hastings NN7 1HL www.pasturespoultry.co.uk 01604 696586 The Apothocoffee Shop 26 -28 The Square Earls Barton NN6 0NA www.jeyesofearlsbarton.co.uk/the-apothocoffee-shop 01604 810289 The Bread & Butter Factory 62 St Giles Street Northampton NN1 1JW www.thebreadandbutterfactory.co.uk 01604 628854 The Courtyard Café 6 Bishop’s Court Daventry NN11 4NP www.courtyardcafedaventry.co.uk 01327 872687

The Apothocoffee Shop Workbridge Coffee Shop Bedford Road Northampton NN4 7AD www.workbridge.org.uk 01604 872785 Kafe Bloc 4 Piccadilly Buildings Sheep St Kettering NN16 0AN www.kafebloc.com 01536 515517 Sheaf Street Health Store 28 Sheaf Street Daventry NN11 4AB 01327 312037

The Park Café Abington Park Northampton NN1 5LW 01604 628569

The Barn Café and Restaurant The Old Dairy Farm Craft Centre Upper Stowe NN7 4SH www.thebarnrestaurant.net 01327 349911

The Water Mill Tearooms Woodford Mill Ringstead NN14 4DU www.watermilltearooms.co.uk 01933 770630

The Old Barn Tea Rooms Mill Lane Wadenhoe PE8 5XD www.theoldbarnatwadenhoe.co.uk 01832 721129

Watermill Tearooms

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Food and Drink Guide

Restaurants including world cuisine Ali’s Indian Restaurant 33 Cambridge Street Wellingborough NN8 1DW www.alisindianrestaurant.co.uk 01933 223171 All Saint’s Bistro 3 George Row Northampton NN1 1DF www.allsaintsnorthampton.co.uk 01604 620015 Barton Hall Hotel and Vines Brasserie Barton Road Barton Seagrave NN15 6SG www.bartonhall.com 01536 515505 Bengal Brasserie 10 The Bullring Church Walk Thrapston NN14 4NP www.bengalbrasserie.net 01832 735620

ENJOY A DELICIOUS SUNDAY LUNCH AT KETTERING PARK HOTEL & SPA Try our Chefs table to start, followed by our speciality main course of 28 day aged Sirloin of beef carved tableside with Yorkshire pudding and rich gravy.

Our menu also features other delicious meat, fish and vegetarian/ vegan dishes.

All main courses are served with seasonal vegetables and roast potatoes brought to the table family style so you can help yourself.

From £20.95 for two courses

TO BOOK PLEASE CALL 01536 416666 ketteringparkhotel.co.uk Kettering Parkway, Kettering, NN15 6XT

Food and Drink Guide

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Brasserie 23 at The Kings Head 23 Brixworth Road Spratton NN6 8HH www.kingsheadspratton.co.uk 01604 847351 Bread & Circus Artisan Bakery & Evening Pizzeria 28 Sheaf Street Daventry NN11 4AB 01327 368100 Bread and Pullet 176 Wellingborough Road Northampton NN1 4DZ www.breadandpullet.co.uk 01604 638520 Clary’s Restaurant at Aspers Casino 6 Commercial Street Northampton NN1 1PJ www.aspersnorthampton.co.uk 01604 623580 Dhan Shiri Bangladeshi & Indian Cuisine 10 Banbury Road Brackley NN13 6AU www.dhanshiriindian.co.uk 01280 841846 Exotic Dining 1st Floor, 3-5 Newland Street Kettering NN16 8JH www.dineexotic.co.uk 01536 411176 Franks Hamburger House Station Road Cogenhoe Northampton NN7 1NH www.frankshamburger.com 01604 948904 Karmana 79 Broadmead Avenue Northampton NN3 2RA www.karmana.co.uk 01604 409999 Kettering Park Hotel Kettering Parkway Kettering NN15 6XT www.ketteringparkhotel.co.uk 01536 416666 Lasaan 8 Whitehills Crescent Northampton NN2 8EP www.lasaan.co.uk 01604 844244

Nuovo

Mem-Saab 357-359 Wellingborough Road Northampton NN1 4EU www.mem-saab.com 01604 630214

Murrays at Whittlebury Park Whittlebury Park Conference & Training Centre Whittlebury Park Whittlebury NN12 8QH www.whittlebury.com/dining/murrays 01327 850489

Mu Mu 42 Rockingham Road Kettering NN16 8JS www.mumushed.co.uk 01536 485855

Nuovo 104 Abington Street Northampton NN1 2BP www.nuovo-restaurant.co.uk 01604 601100

A family business in the heart of Daventry.

Serving high quality artisan bread and patisserie daily and evening pizzeria – all freshly baked inhouse.

Reservations for our licensed pizzeria via Facebook or by phone.

01327 368100

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Food and Drink Guide

Restaurants including world cuisine

estaurant Kettering Kettering NN15 NN15 5LP 5LP

k

aurant

ering NN15 5LP

The Palmichael A Italian restaurant over serving the A family-run family-run Italianfamily restaurant for over 35 35 years years serving the An award winning run for restaurant serving the best best best of of Italian Italian cuisine cuisine using using the the finest finest Italian Italian and and local local produce. produce.

Italian cuisine using the finest Italian and local produce

Dinner Dinner –– Monday Monday to to Saturday: Saturday: 6pm-9pm 6pm-9pm last last order order Lunch – Tuesday to Friday: 12pm-2pm last Lunch – Tuesday to Friday: 12pm-2pm last order order

Olive Restaurant Grosvenor House George Street Corby NN17 1QB www.olivecorby.co.uk 01536 266066 Oren Pho 1 Gas Street Northampton NN1 1PY www.orenphobargrill.com 01604 373489

Restaurant Hibiscus 19-21 Guildhall Road For For further further menu menu information information and and updates updates on on special special events events please please visit visit our our website. website.

Northampton NN1 1DP twww.hehospitality.co.uk/hibiscus 01604 911073 A family-run Italian restaurant for over 35 years serving the

Sunday Sunday –– Closed Closed

Palmichael Restaurant

A family-run Italian restaurant for over 35 years serving the best of Italian cuisine using the finest Italian and local produce.

Fine Italian dining

Dinner – Monday to Saturday: 6pm-9pm last order

1 Kettering Burton Latimer, Kettering NN15 5LP Lunch – TuesdayRoad, to Friday: 12pm-2pm last order 01536 723641 Sunday – Closed

www.thepalmichael.co.uk

For further menu information and updates on special events please visit our website.

best of Italian cuisine using the finest Italian and local produce.

Royal Tandoori

Dinner – Monday to Saturday: 88-90 6pm-9pm last order Road Rockingham Lunch – Tuesday to Friday: 12pm-2pm last order Corby NN17 1AE Sunday – Closed

www.royaltandoori.net 01536 399700

For further menu information and updates on special events please visit our website.

Come dine with us

at the award winning restaurant

Rushton Hall Hotel Desborough Rd Rushton Kettering NN14 1RR www.rushtonhall.com 01536 713001 Saffron 21 Castilian Street Northampton NN1 1JS www.saffronnorthampton.co.uk 01604 630800 Sage & Brooke 31 Grafton Underwood Kettering NN14 3AA www.sageandbrooke.com 01536 330165 Shajahan 120 High Street Wollaston NN29 7RJ www.shajahanrestaurant.com/wollaston 01933 664040 Sophia’s Restaurant 54 Bridge Street Northampton NN1 1PA www.sophias-restaurant.co.uk 01604 250654

The Folly, London Road, Towcester NN12 6LB 01327 354031 www.follyinntowcester.co.uk info@follyinntowcester.co.uk

Food and Drink Guide Tamarind 151 - 153 Wellingborough Road Northampton NN1 4DX www.tamarind-restaurant.com 01604 231194 Tap & Kitchen Oundle Wharf Station Road Oundle PE8 4DE www.tapandkitchen.com 01832 275069 Taste of Spice 38a Main Road Duston Northampton NN5 6JF www.tasteofspiceuk.com 01604 754999 The Cedar Restaurant at Fawsley Hall The Drive Fawsley Hall Hotel Daventry NN11 3BA www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/fawsleyhall/eatand-drink/our-services/the-cedar-restaurant 01327 892000 The Church Restaurant 67-83 Bridge Street Northampton NN1 1PD www.thechurchrestaurant.com 01604 603800

The Folly Inn London Road Towcester NN12 6LB www.follyinntowcester.co.uk 01327 354031 The Green Room 6 Bridge Street Brackley NN13 7EP www.thegreenroombrackley.co.uk 01280 703123

The Stuffed Olive 188-192 Wellingborough Road, Northampton NN1 4EB www.thestuffedolive.co.uk 01604 631631

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The Talbot Hotel, Eatery and Coffee House New Street Oundle PE8 4EA www.talbothotel.co.uk 01832 273621

The Palmichael 1 Kettering Road Burton Latimer NN15 5LP www.thepalmichael.co.uk 01536 723641

The Terrace Restaurant at Highgate House Grooms Lane Creaton NN6 8NN www.sundialgroup.com/dining-functions/highgate-house/rooms/the-terrace-restaurant 01604 731731

The Raj 46 - 50 Rockingham Rd Kettering NN16 8JT www.therajrestaurant.net 01536 513606

Voujon 1-3 Church Street Long Buckby NN6 7QH www.voujon.co.uk 01327 843 571

The Smoke Pit 11A The Ridings Northampton NN1 2AQ www.cowpigchicken.co.uk 01604 628774

185 Watling Street 185 Watling Street Towcester NN12 6BX www.185watlingstreet.com 01327 317177

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Food and Drink Guide

A cut above.

Serving Brunch, Lunch and Dinner seven days a week

BLISWORTH • NORTHANTS WA L N U T-T R E E .CO.U K

Great food, expertly cooked and beautifully presented.

“Relaxed dining at it’s best”

If you are planning any kind of party or celebration, large or small, the Hopping Hare is the ideal venue.

Come and talk to us. Together we will produce a bespoke menu of your choice if required.

The Hopping Hare, 18 Hopping Hill Gardens, Duston, Northamptonshire, NN5 6PF Tel: +44 (0)1604 580090 | Website: hoppinghare.com

Taking the mystery out of tickling those taste buds Do you enjoy dining out? Can you tell your linguini from your lasagne? Do you know the difference between a super sauvignon and a poor pinot?

If so, the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards team would love to hear from you!

One of the key factors behind the rise in dining standards of the last decade here in the county – resulting in the wealth of wonderful eateries detailed here - has been the Mystery Shopping process which sees every entrant into the competition receive at least two visits, the reviews from which are offered as feedback to those entrants who request it. And many do!

Anna Murby is part of the Awards team and, following the annual Awards Dinner each November (at which the results in the competition are announced), spends the following months traversing the county, catching up with pub, restaurant and café owners and managers to share details of those dining experiences.

“The request for feedback often comes from those venues which haven’t been successful in being shortlisted as finalists, so inevitably the mystery shoppers have highlighted shortcomings – whether they had indifferent waiters, mediocre meals or even dirty tablecloths - and I’m one who’s got to pass that on!” explained Anna.

“But to see venues make those changes and improve what they offer to their customers is why feedback is such a valuable part of the competition.”

This year, with more entries coming in, the need for more Mystery Shoppers is bigger than ever.

And the process couldn’t be easier – or more enjoyable! It simply involves dining at one of the many venues to enter the competition (which will be randomly assigned) and completing a brief and anonymous review of the visit, providing scores and passing comments on everything from service and portion size, to food quality and even the cleanliness of the toilets!

If you are available between early July and early September, are happy to pick up the cost of your visit(s) and would like to help the Awards team in further raising dining standards here in the county – or would simply like more details - please contact Anna at The Mallows Company on 01933 664437 or email anna@ themallowscompany.com For more details of the competition, please visit www.northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk while you can also follow the Awards on Facebook at www.facebook.com/foodawards or on Twitter and Instagram at @foodawardsHQ Meanwhile if you have a favourite pub, restaurant or café which you think should be encouraged to take part - for FREE - in the competition, please let the Awards team know by calling 01933 664437.

Food and Drink Guide

Dining/drinking pubs and bars Barratt’s Snooker Club and Bar 42 Kingsthorpe Road Northampton NN2 6HT www.barrattsclub.co.uk 01604 721777 Bar So 25 Abington Square Northampton NN1 4AE www.barso-northampton.co.uk 01604 602442 Barley Mow 53 High Street Paulerspury NN12 7NA www.barleymow-paulerspury.co.uk 01327 811086 Fox and Hounds Banbury Road Charwelton NN11 3YY www.foxandhoundscharwelton.co.uk 01327 260611 Gin and Temple Bar 21 St Giles’ Street Northampton NN1 1JA www.ginandtemple.co.uk/ 07561 850296 Jeckyll & Hyde 172 Wellingborough Road Northampton NN1 4DZ www.mcmanuspub.co.uk/jekyll-and-hyde 01604 630268 John Franklins 21 Guildhall Road Northampton NN1 1DP www.johnfranklins.com 01604 655790 St Giles Ale House 45 St Giles’ Street Northampton NN1 1JF 01604 636332 The Abington 383 Wellingborough Road NN1 4EY Northampton NN1 4EY 01604 631240

The Albion Brewery and Bar 54 Kingswell Street Northampton NN1 1PR www.phipps-nbc.co.uk 01604 946606 The Artisan 70 Artizan Road Northampton NN1 4HS 01604 638663 The Brampton Halt Pitsford Road Chapel Brampton NN6 8BA www.thebramptonhalt.co.uk 01604 842676 The Dukes Arms 83 High Street Woodford NN14 4HE 01832 732224 The Fox & Hounds Harlestone Road Lower Harlestone NN7 4EW www.thefoxandhoundsharlestone.co.uk 01604 821251

The Four Pears 28 Bedford Road Little Houghton NN7 1AB www.thefourpears.com 01604 890900 The George and Dragon 1 Thorpe Road Chacomben OX17 2JW www.georgeanddragonchacombe.co.uk 01295 711500 The George at Tiffield 21 High Street North Tiffield NN12 8AD www.thegeorgeattiffield.co.uk 01327 350587 The Golden Horse 59 Southampton Road Northampton NN4 8DZ www.mcmanuspub.co.uk/golden-horse 01604 705565

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Food and Drink Guide

The Hopping Hare 18 Hopping Hill Gardens Duston NN5 6PF www.hoppinghare.com 01604 580090

Dining/drinking pubs and bars

The Knightley Arms Public House 49 High Street Yelvertoft NN6 6LF 01788 823555 The Lamplighter 66 Overstone Road Northampton NN1 3JS www.thelamplighter.co.uk 01604 631125 The Malt Shovel Tavern 121 Birdge Street Northampton NN1 1QF www.maltshoveltavern.com 01604 234212

The Old Kings Head 2 Harbidges Lane NN6 7QL Long Buckby NN6 7QL www.oldkingsheadlongbuckby.co.uk 01327 842680 The Pike and Eel Pub Tamar Square Daventry NN11 4RB 01327 703103 The Plough @ Shutlanger 5 Main Road, Shutlanger NN12 7RU www.theploughshutlanger.co.uk 01604 864644

The Princess Alexandra 1 Alexandra Road Northampton NN1 5QP www.theprincessalexandra.co.uk 01604 245485 The Red Lion 63 London Road Bozeat NN29 7JR www.ourlocal.pub/pubs/the-red-lion-bozeat 01933 667620 The Red Lion 36 Bridle Path Brafield on the Green NN7 1BP www.theredlionatbrafield.co.uk 01604 890707 The Red Lion High Street Culworth OX17 2BD www.theredlionculworth.co.uk 01295 760050 The Red Lion Main Street East Haddon NN6 8BU www.redlioneasthaddon.co.uk 01604 770223

TRY OUR

TASTY NEW SUMMER MENU PACKED WITH FLAVOUR

BOOK TODAY: 01604 686 555 Booking Advisable

The Swan at Lamport. Harborough Road, Lamport, Northampton, NN6 9EZ Tel: 01604 686 555 Email: theswanlamport@mcmanuspub.co.uk Web: www.theswanatlamport.co.uk

The Red Lion Welford Road Thornby NN6 8SJ www.redlionthornby.co.uk 01604 740238 The Rose & Crown High Street Yardley Hastings OX17 2BD www.roseandcrownbistro.co.uk 01604 696276 The Royal Oak Whiston Road Cogenhoe NN7 1NJ www.theroyaloaknorthampton.co.uk 01604 890922 The Saracen’s Head Main Street Little Brington NN7 4HS www.thesaracensatbrington.co.uk 01604 770640 The Saxon Crown 100 Elizabeth Street Corby NN17 1FN www.jdwetherspoon.com 01536 203672

Food and Drink Guide The Sir Pickering Phipps 237 Wellingborough Road Northampton NN1 4EH www.sirpickeringnorthampton.co.uk 01604 628855 The Spread Eagle 34-36 Forest Road Piddington NN7 2DA 01604 871008 The Stags Head 237 Wellingborough Road Great Doddington NN1 4EH www.stags-head.com 01933 222316 The Swan 18 Griffin Road Braybrooke LE16 8LH www.swanbraybrooke.co.uk 01858 462754 The Swan and Helmet 65 Grove Road Northampton NN1 3LJ www.theswanandhelmet.co.uk 01604 629372 The Swan at Lamport Harborough Road Lamport NN6 9EZ www.theswanatlamport.co.uk 01604 686555 The Sun Inn 9 High Street Hardingstone NN4 7BT www.thesuninnhardingstone.co.uk 01604 700007 The Sun Inn 6 Mill Road Kislingbury NN7 4BB www.thesuninnkislingbury.co.uk 01604 833571 The Tollemache Arms 49 High Street Harrington NN6 9NU www.thetolly.co.uk 01536 711770 The Walnut Tree Inn 21 Station Road Blisworth NN7 3DS www.walnut-tree.co.uk 01604 859551 The Wharf Cornhill Lane Bugbrooke NN7 3QB www.thewharfbugbrooke.co.uk 01604 832585

Dining/drinking pubs and bars The Wheatsheaf Pub & Dining Room 126 Dallington Road Northampton NN5 7HN 01604 758871 The White Horse 2 The Square Kings Sutton OX17 3RF www.whitehorseks.co.uk 01295 812440

The White Horse Walgrave Road Old NN6 9QX www.whitehorseold.co.uk 01604 781297

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The World’s End 5 Northampton Road Ecton NN6 0QN www.theworldsend.org 01604 414521 Towcester Mill Brewery Ltd Chantry Lane, Towcester NN12 6YY www.towcestermillbrewery.co.uk 01327 437060

n All listings have been a winner, runner-up or finalist in the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards since 2014 and/or feature on the Northamptonshire Britain’s Best Surprise website.

All meet our current relevant FHRS.

www.northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk

www.northamptonshiresurprise.com

www.madeinnorthamptonshire.org