Family travel, UK

An invitation to The Stable in Winchester

July 19, 2015 12 Comments

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.

A street view of The Stable Winchester

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.

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.

There are several dishes on The Stable’s menu that have a Winchester feel. On the list of pizzas are The Woolly Wintonian – which comes with marinated lamb and rosemary goats cheese – and King Alfred’s Catch – a combination of smoked mackerel and salmon.

Sign writing on a wall advertising the Woolly Wintonian pizza

A seafood pizza

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.

Sign writing on staircase advertising ciders
The Stable Winchester's drinks menu

Downstairs restaurant at The Stable Winchester

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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