Red Mist Leisure, the independently owned Surrey based pub company run by three friends, has opened the fifth pub in its growing portfolio. The dynamic trio, Mark Robson, Julian Clarke and Mark Williams are all in their mid 30s and already run successful pubs such as The Queens Head in Clandon and The Stag in Eashing (H&C News is happy to attest to the latter – see Stag on the River delivers the goods).
Red Mist is already well known for serving really good fresh, local and seasonal food, by professional, knowledgeable staff in a nice environment – and H and C News is confident that The Wheatsheaf will not only follow but build on the high standards already set.
Their latest venture is a £500,000 extensive refurbishment of a Farnham town centre pub, The Wheatsheaf Pub & Grill, which has transformed this high street pub into a destination establishment which, like the other pubs in the portfolio, will become renowned for its fresh, seasonal and local British food as well as offering a quality array of local ales and craft beers.
Chefs on display!
It’s no longer unique, but customers enjoy seeing a busy kitchen team at work – and have already been enjoying the theatre of watching the chefs in an open plan kitchen. The team is led by rising star head chef Jay Williams and is cooking up culinary delights such as brined and braised belly of British pork on a celeriac puree with sautéed greens, bacon and hazy hog jus. Jay’s Wheatsheaf burger is also gaining cult status with chargrilled pancetta, Old Sussex Cheddar, caramelised onions, pickles and his signature beefonaise.
For those with a sweet tooth, the Bramley apple, cranberry and pecan crumble with cinnamon ice cream or peanut butter parfait with a chocolate fudge sauce and crystallised peanuts have quickly become firm favourites.
A fully stocked ‘feature’ bar at the front of the pub has a cosy log burner and is ideal for after work drinks and pre- meal, serving one of the town’s best selection of local beers and ales plus a wide selection of wines, champagne by the glass or bottle (look out for special offers on ‘Champagne Thursday’), premium spirits and delectable cocktails.
Bifold doors lead to an intimate courtyard which will come into its own in the warmer months, but even on those cold bright winter days it’s the place to enjoy a hot toddy with external heaters and blankets provided. There is also the opportunity of private dining for up to 24 people, which will appeal to groups of friends and businesses alike – and there’s a plasma screen to compliment this exclusive area of the pub.
Eclectic decor
Also proving a hit is the pub’s interesting and eclectic decor and furnishings, which combine the ‘rural luxe’ (!) design trend, using scale, colour and pattern to capture traditional design values, giving them a modern spin, such as feature walls papered in old local maps and novelty door knockers on the front of the toilet doors and some interesting prints featuring the town’s famous Peter Pan character.
Red Mist Leisure co-founder, Mark Robson comments “The Wheatsheaf Pub & Grill is a new and very exciting milestone for us – not only is it the fifth pub in our portfolio but it is also our first ‘high street’ location as all of our other pubs are ‘destination’ country pubs.”
With free WiFi and open all day, serving breakfast at the weekends, lunch and dinner, The Wheasheaf is the perfect meeting place to grab a quick barista-made coffee, enjoy a leisurely weekend brunch, and meet friends or colleagues for a quick bite or full blown meal.
The Wheatsheaf, 19 West Street, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7DR
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