An invitation to The Stable in Winchester
We were invited to celebrate the opening of The Stable in Winchester last week. It’s the latest in the chain of restaurants that now offer pizza, pie and cider in nine locations across the south of England.
After a bit of a date night drought, Mr Tin Box and I couldn’t resist calling in the grandparents to babysit so we could head to Hampshire’s capital for a look.
Winchester is one of my favourite local places to shop, eat and explore. It’s teeming with history and beautiful old buildings. The Stable fits in perfectly among the independent shops, cafes and bars of The Square, which is just a stone’s throw from Winchester Cathedral.
The Stable chain was established by Richard and Nikki Cooper who in 2007 exchanged their music industry jobs in London for a hotel and dilapidated stable in glorious Dorset. Two years later and with the help of family and friends, they had transformed the wreak next to their hotel into the first Stable restaurant.
Their concept is to offer ‘fine food and crafted cider within an alluring atmosphere’. Who doesn’t like the sound of that? But aside from the marketing speak, I was intrigued to learn the Coopers pride themselves on using locally sourced ingredients. So the dishes served in each of their restaurants is unique to that venue.
We got tasters of each pizza on the menu and I think the Wintonian was my top slice. Mr TB’s favourite was The Blazing Saddle, which was topped with pulled pork, smoked bacon and caramelised onion. Meal prices range from £9.50 to £13.50.
At the bar there’s 62 draught, boxed and bottled ciders to choose from as well as wine, ales and lagers. If you are bamboozled by the choice of ciders on offer you can get a tasting board of five 200ml samples for £7.50. A pint of cider costs £4.
We really enjoyed the opening night and can see The Stable being very popular with Hampshire’s cider lovers.
Disclosure: we were invited as guests to the opening night of The Stable and sampled food and drinks at no charge. All opinions are my own.
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The pizza looks amazing, and I love the idea of all those ciders.
#Tried/Tested
This sounds like a fantastic place to eat….The pizza sounds and looks amazing!
That pizza looks delicious, I love the rustic look 🙂
#triedtested
Pizza, pie and cider – what more could you want! It looks lovely.
Thanks for sharing your review on #TriedTested this week x
wow that cathedral looks stunning great photo – I think the cider has sold it for me though and quite reasonably priced I think for the drinks it looks like a nice set up and good atmosphere too #triedtested
Looks great – we live in Southampton so I'm sure we'll end up here at some point!
My mummy works in Winchester and passes this place! It looks fab! #TriedTested Must get her to book for a date night with daddy!
Sounds like a nice place, the pizza looks delicious #Tried&Tested
Winchester is a place I keep promising myself I will go to one day! This would certainly be a place to try as pizza and cider what isn't there to like about that combination? #triedtested
We love The Stable in Poole, so we'll definitely be checking this one out in Winchester! #TriedTested
I love Winchester, such a lovely town full of character and what a great place to be invited for a tasting session #TriedTested
Their pizzas were very tasty and there was lots on the menu that you won't see anywhere else.