30 replies to this topic

[Taffy]

Does anyone know what has happened to The Plough at Winchmore Hill?

It used to be our favourite haunt but their telephone number went dead around last December. We have not been up that way to take a look since.

[Eaton]

Does anyone know what has happened to The Plough at Winchmore Hill?

It used to be our favourite haunt but their telephone number went dead around last December. We have not been up that way to take a look since.

I go up that way for work and it's been closed since around December. Not sure what is happening with it, I've not spotted any For Sale signs etc up.

[oddjob]

I go up that way for work and it's been closed since around December. Not sure what is happening with it, I've not spotted any For Sale signs etc up.

I have heard rumours that it has just been bought by Gordon Ramsay... has any one else heard similar?

[Eaton]

I have heard rumours that it has just been bought by Gordon Ramsay... has any one else heard similar?

Haven't heard anything like that and it still looked abandoned yesterday. I'll have another look on Saturday when I'm up there.

[Eaton]

I've just spoken to a customer who lives in Winchmore Hill he hasn't heard the Gordon Ramsay rumour but will look into it.

Last year before it reopened the owner had applied for planning permission to demolish it and rebuilt flats, apparently the whole village was up in arms and the plans were eschewed in favour of the pub reopening. However, it only lasted for a few months before closing again.

[Taffy]

I've just spoken to a customer who lives in Winchmore Hill he hasn't heard the Gordon Ramsay rumour but will look into it.

Last year before it reopened the owner had applied for planning permission to demolish it and rebuilt flats, apparently the whole village was up in arms and the plans were eschewed in favour of the pub reopening. However, it only lasted for a few months before closing again.

When it first reopened it was run by a small group called Thackeray's whose head office is in Tunbridge Wells.

They have a celebrity chef Richard Phillips who has at least one Michelin Star. His food is very good and the Plough lived up to that and was excellent value at lunch time.

We new that the lease was up for sale as this site was a long way from Head Office.

Since then we have heard other rumours of its purchase by other small quality food groups but nothing seems to happen.

It's a bit like Novelli at the Pineapple – wishful thinking !!

[Fran]

It's a bit like Novelli at the Pineapple – wishful thinking !!

When I rang Novelli's gastropub in Harpenden in February, they assured me he was definitely coming to the Pineapple (albeit they said he was aiming for a late May opening). See Novelli at Pineapple thread.

[Taffy]

When I rang Novelli's gastropub in Harpenden in February, they assured me he was definitely coming to the Pineapple (albeit they said he was aiming for a late May opening).

I hope he opens soon.

[oddjob]

Just to let you know The Plough at Winchmore Hill is about to reopen - probably in 3 weeks' time or so. I don't know who has bought it, though.

[Eaton]

Just to let you know The Plough at Winchmore Hill is about to reopen - probably in 3 weeks' time or so. I don't know who has bought it, though.

Well I've been working in Winchmore Hill all week and no one has been working at The Plough - so I'd suggest that it's more like to be the or so, rather than the 3 weeks.

Do you have any idea if it's Gordon Ramsay that will be opening it?

[Eaton]

They've started working in the Plough.

[Eaton]

It's open. I haven't been in there, but have noticed that there is a childrens play area in the front garden although as the front garden isn't fenced I would imagine that you'd have to keep a fairly close eye on any children playing on it.

[Eaton]

It's open. I haven't been in there, but have noticed that there is a childrens play area in the front garden although as the front garden isn't fenced I would imagine that you'd have to keep a fairly close eye on any children playing on it.

I stand corrected there is now a small white picket fence around the front garden, although it does look a bit wobbly so a good gust of wind might knock it down.

I might go in there this weekend, so if I do I'll post a report.

[Eaton]

Popped in this evening, we were going to eat but I didn't feel like any food so although we looked at the menu I can't comment on what it tastes like. However I did see and smell the food and it did look very good.

It appears that the menu changes monthly and it is locally sourced. The menu is on a par with The Sugar Loaf although it does seem slightly cheaper. There were 4 starters, 7-8 mains and 4 deserts.

The pub has been tastefully decorated with enormous sofas around the edge of 2 walls (L shaped) and with lovely wood, waxed or varnished, low tables. There are candles everywhere which were lit and an enormous fire which was also lit (although I do have a suspicion that it was a gas fire as it looked a bit too clean).

I will definitely give it another try, when I've got an appetite.

Forgot to mention that the menu has an amusing disclaimer at the bottom:
All game may contain shot, all fish may contain bones and all nut dishes may contain nuts.

Edited by Eaton, 27 October 2007 - 10:18 AM.
forgot to add the menu disclaimer

[The critic]

We went to the newly opened plough on Friday evening, and have had a wonderful meal, the pub now looks like it has a soul again, with the stainless steel taken off the bar and surrounding furniture, candles lit throughout the pub, and dimmed lighting, and new furniture throughout.

On arrival at the bar for our 7:30pm booking, we were greeted by one of the owners (Samuel), drinks were ordered and we took the opportunity to sit by the fire, There was no rush (in a good way) for us to sit down to eat, so for the next 30 minutes or so we sat and took in the new look.

Samuel (who looked after us all evening) popped his head around from time to time and let us know when ever we were ready, we could come through to the restaurant.
At other establishments it seems that you are being harried through to the restaurant, but it seems that the customer is there first priority here. Which is a nice change!

The four of us went through at 8:00pm, the new dinning room looks fantastic, a huge table takes up the end of the restaurant which looks like it could hold 14 or so people, again dimmed lighting and a good distance between bar and restaurant, so there is still the ambiance, but with out the noise.

There menu is based on seasonal locally produced food, with around 4 starters, 7 mains, and 3 or so deserts.

I had the carpachio of venison, which was superb; while my partner had the British goat’s cheese also define. There was a small wait for our food, around 20 minutes, but it does inform you of this on the menu, and was worth the wait.

For mains, I had the feather blade of beef, which was cooked perfectly; my wife had the lamb with a cassole, which again was wonderful.

All our wines for the evening were recommended by Samuel, and each one was outstanding, he even convinced us on having a desert wine (not normally something I have enjoyed in the past) but I must admit it complemented our deserts fantasticly well, which were a mix of chocolate fondant, caramelized rice pudding.

One of the nicest things throughout the meal, was his knowledge on the food, each item was described in detail, where it was sourced from, and why it was chosen to be on the menu.

By the time we were drinking coffees the time was 10:00. Somehow we had managed to eat for 2 hrs; the time really had just flown.

The plough is definitely up there with my favourites in the area. The food is great. And the service, not fine dining by any standard is pitched fantastically well.

Good luck to the plough, though I don't think they will need it.

[Kawasaki]

Glad to hear The Plough is operational again. The pub was tenanted by three generations of my family between about 1880 and 1953.
George Pursey, my great-great grandfather, took over the pub in about 1880. As well as retailing beer, he sold meat and other items from the premises, and operated a chair-making workshop at the rear.
The pub passed to his son, George Pursey, in about 1901, who was the tenant until his death in 1919, when the tenancy passed to his wife Emma. She ran the pub until her death in 1936, when it passed to her son Frank Pursey.
Frank gave up the tenancy in 1953.
I wonder if the current owners are aware of the history of the pub, which was licenced as a Beer House in 1830, but was probably selling beer long before that.

[Eaton]

Glad to hear The Plough is operational again. The pub was tenanted by three generations of my family between about 1880 and 1953.
George Pursey, my great-great grandfather, took over the pub in about 1880. As well as retailing beer, he sold meat and other items from the premises, and operated a chair-making workshop at the rear.
The pub passed to his son, George Pursey, in about 1901, who was the tenant until his death in 1919, when the tenancy passed to his wife Emma. She ran the pub until her death in 1936, when it passed to her son Frank Pursey.
Frank gave up the tenancy in 1953.
I wonder if the current owners are aware of the history of the pub, which was licenced as a Beer House in 1830, but was probably selling beer long before that.

This is fascinating. Perhaps you should write to the new owners and let them know, as if it was me I'd love to know.

[Alan]

We went to the newly opened plough on Friday evening, and have had a wonderful meal, the pub now looks like it has a soul again, with the stainless steel taken off the bar and surrounding furniture, candles lit throughout the pub, and dimmed lighting, and new furniture throughout.

On arrival at the bar for our 7:30pm booking, we were greeted by one of the owners (Samuel), drinks were ordered and we took the opportunity to sit by the fire, There was no rush (in a good way) for us to sit down to eat, so for the next 30 minutes or so we sat and took in the new look.

Samuel (who looked after us all evening) popped his head around from time to time and let us know when ever we were ready, we could come through to the restaurant.
At other establishments it seems that you are being harried through to the restaurant, but it seems that the customer is there first priority here. Which is a nice change!

The four of us went through at 8:00pm, the new dinning room looks fantastic, a huge table takes up the end of the restaurant which looks like it could hold 14 or so people, again dimmed lighting and a good distance between bar and restaurant, so there is still the ambiance, but with out the noise.

There menu is based on seasonal locally produced food, with around 4 starters, 7 mains, and 3 or so deserts.

I had the carpachio of venison, which was superb; while my partner had the British goat’s cheese also define. There was a small wait for our food, around 20 minutes, but it does inform you of this on the menu, and was worth the wait.

For mains, I had the feather blade of beef, which was cooked perfectly; my wife had the lamb with a cassole, which again was wonderful.

All our wines for the evening were recommended by Samuel, and each one was outstanding, he even convinced us on having a desert wine (not normally something I have enjoyed in the past) but I must admit it complemented our deserts fantasticly well, which were a mix of chocolate fondant, caramelized rice pudding.

One of the nicest things throughout the meal, was his knowledge on the food, each item was described in detail, where it was sourced from, and why it was chosen to be on the menu.

By the time we were drinking coffees the time was 10:00. Somehow we had managed to eat for 2 hrs; the time really had just flown.

The plough is definitely up there with my favourites in the area. The food is great. And the service, not fine dining by any standard is pitched fantastically well.

Good luck to the plough, though I don't think they will need it.

Sounds great
Value wise?

[Fran]

The pub was tenanted by three generations of my family

Perhaps you should write to the new owners and let them know, as if it was me I'd love to know.

Plus you might be able to negotiate a discount for old time's sake!

[Kawasaki]

This is fascinating. Perhaps you should write to the new owners and let them know, as if it was me I'd love to know.

I intend to do so! I no longer live in the Amersham area so an attempt to get a free pint will have to wait (always assuming they serve pints, of course - the place sounds very up-market).

[Eaton]

I intend to do so! I no longer live in the Amersham area so an attempt to get a free pint will have to wait (always assuming they serve pints, of course - the place sounds very up-market).

Yes they still serve pints and my husband assures me that it was very nice. More up-market than a pub, but not as upmarket as a restaurant. Very comfortable and attractive in a friendly, welcoming way. I spotted a very large section of beams that still had masking tape on them from when they decorated before reopening and they laughed along with us!

[The critic]

Sounds great
Value wise?

For the two of us our bill was around £50 with a bottle of wine and 3 courses

Service was not included on the bill the owner explained that this should be up to the customers rather than the resturaunt.

Good service good tip, bad service no tip.

Makes sense, as long as people do reward good service, rather than try to get away with out paying it if they can!!!

[Alan]

For the two of us our bill was around £50 with a bottle of wine and 3 courses

Service was not included on the bill the owner explained that this should be up to the customers rather than the resturaunt.

Good service good tip, bad service no tip.

Makes sense, as long as people do reward good service, rather than try to get away with out paying it if they can!!!

Sound reasonable, might give it a try, thanks

[James516]

We went there on Saturday night for dinner - it was excellent, good food, nicely presented and not bad service. The pub itself has been nicely remodelled. I'd recommend it.

[Sandy]

I intend to do so! I no longer live in the Amersham area so an attempt to get a free pint will have to wait (always assuming they serve pints, of course - the place sounds very up-market).

There is a voucher in the Bucks Free Press today which can be exchanged for a free bottle of wine for diners at The Plough.

[michaela076]

Hi, The Plough has recently reopened under new management and is serving a full menu of Italian and British food, breakfast, lunch, dinner and bar food. There is also a wide range of wines and beers available. The shop has also had a makeover - still selling local produce but now also selling a variety of wines and Italian food - well worth a visit!

[Fran]

Thanks for the update, Michaela. We may pay a visit. Do you own it or work there?

[michaela076]

Hi, my parents own and run it and I'm helping them to spread the word that it's back open for business!

Please let me know if there's anything else you'd like to know - all of the menus and other information can be found on the new website www.theploughamersham.co.uk

[Hollymum]

Has anybody been to the Plough at Winchmore Hill recently? Good?

[jarrod]

Had dinner at the Plough earlier this evening and it was excellent.

We had:

• Linguine with tomato, olives, garlic, capers, anchovy and chilli which was a fairly simple dish but very tasty and very good pasta.
• Tuscan fish stew was delicious and had generous portions of fish and sea food (clams, mussels, calamari and langoustine). Served with bread, one piece on the side and one piece in the bottom of the bowl to soak up the lovely broth.
• Bowl of thick cut chips

• 2 x Walnut flan served warm with vanilla Ice Cream which was also delicious.

Together with 2 pints (they had 3 real ales), a glass of wine and a coffee the bill came to £53 (excluding service), which we thought was good value considering the quality of the food.

It was a lovely sunny evening and most of the outdoor tables were occupied along with a few tables indoors. The pizzas seemed to be popular too.

Definitely recommended.