Deep in the valley of the Dover Beck, in the heart of Epperstone, lies the Cross Keys – a new country dining public house that has just opened its doors to locals, visitors, dogs and horses.
Run by locals Des and Trish Sweeney, the couple have combined their individual skills to create a diner’s paradise with a daily changing menu featuring fresh, seasonal dishes made from locally sourced crops to be enjoyed in picturesque settings.
Cooked for Royal family
Des, who will be running the kitchen, has extensive food experience having previously cooked for the Royal family at Buckingham Palace, as well as at the House of Lords. Trish, a former pastry chef and general manager, is a customer service enthusiast and has worked in the hospitality industry for over 15 years – she’s exemplary at providing a first-class dining experience.
Trish comments: “The Cross Keys is a dream come true. We have an amazing team, all from the local area and most of whom have worked with myself and Des for almost a decade. We’re a tight-knit community here in Epperstone, so it’s a pleasure to be able to create new jobs in the village but also to provide a calm oasis where people can come to enjoy fresh food, quality drinks and relax with their friends and family, which is essentially what we want the Cross Keys to be all about.”
Transformed
The pub has been transformed into a chic, traditional country pub with big plush chesterfield sofas, open fires and log burners, two bars, a traditional dartboard, an open kitchen, banquet seating and the pièce de resistance – the classic English country garden with breath-taking views and a decking area with full restaurant service.
Bring your dogs along and enjoy a real ale in the ‘Boot Room’ after a long walk, try your hand at croquet on the lawn or simply lap up the sunshine on the deck whilst sipping on a glass of chilled wine and watching the little ones play on the garden trampoline.
Seasonal menu
“I’ll be changing the menu daily, if not hourly – it all depends on what products I receive that morning,” adds Des. ”We are committed to using fresh ingredients, sourced from local suppliers or from our vegetable and herb garden. We also have a chicken coup and have planted fruit trees – apple, plum and cherry.”
Although dishes will vary, examples include starters such as pan-fried pigeon supreme, crisp pancetta and raspberry dressing; game terrine served with red onion chutney and toasted ciabatta and warm-roasted beetroot with grilled goat’s cheese, walnuts and local honey. Mains include crisp pork belly with braised red cabbage and wholegrain mustard sauce as well as juicy sirloin steaks, sourced from one of the best butchers in the UK, served with hand-cut fat chips and café de Paris butter. There will, of course, also be a traditional Sunday Roast.
Inspired by his days at Buckingham Palace, Des has also designed a luxurious afternoon tea featuring treats enjoyed by Queen Elizabeth II including finger sandwiches, home-made scones, cakes and macaroons served with Prosecco or champagne.
Entertainment
Adding to the excitement, Des and Trish are also planning a plethora of entertainment for the pub including Opera and Jazz evenings on the lawn, quiz nights and fundraising events in support of Cancer Research as well as the village church, Holy Cross.
The Cross Keys is operated by Desmond and Patricia Sweeney in partnership with Hawthorn Leisure. Hawthorn Leisure was formed in 2013 and operates over 350 pubs across the UK, from local / traditional community pubs to country inns and high-street pubs.
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The Cross Keys, Main Street, Epperstone, NG14 6AD