Royal treatment for new-look restaurant
THE DINING ROOM at The Royal Arms in Sutton Cheney has been reopened following a major revamp.
Gone are the regimented right-angled tables, flapping white table cloths and fussy nick-nacks.
New in are sinuous curves, soft seating in shades of teal and smokey blue, and oval woodentopped tables, arranged in relaxed groupings around moveable partitions of rough timber emblazoned with the pub’s newlybranded initials.
A pale painted tongueand-groove ceiling is now visible above the building’s beams (which were previously obscured by agricultural artefacts), and designer touches range from statement lighting to crackle-glazed candlelight holders picking up the metallic tones of the simple but stylish window blinds.
The overall effect is subtle but sophisticated and so much of a change from the previous country clutter that it feels like a whole new venue.
In deference to the new look, the pub’s menu has also been given a makeover and now features more meals suitable for vegetarians, vegans and diners with dietary intolerances, who are actively encouraged to explain their needs and preferences to ensure they enjoy their meals as much as the well-catered-for meat eaters
Food is fresh and, where possible, local, with suppliers including Uptonbased Leicestershire Handmade Cheese Company and Stud Farm Meats in Shenton.
Owner-manager of the family-run restaurant Anoop Singh says he is ‘excited’ by the transformation, which is the first since the family took over the pub in 2013.
He said: “It has taken months of planning and deciding on the best colours to create a new look and new experience for our customers, including re-branding and an all new. menu to suit all tastes.”
A design team was called in to make sure the makeover was done with flair and the 100-seat restaurant was closed for three weeks from Valentine’s Day for the work to be carried out.
Its relaunch this month (March) proved an overwhelming success and tables have been booked up since.
For those still hankering after the olde worlde atmosphere of nick-nacks in the rafters, a separate dining room upstairs retains the original style, and the lounge and bar area also remains unchanged and open to punters who just want to pop in for a drink.
Diners are advised to pre-book restaurant meals and full information, including menus, can be found on the pub’s website.