Hobbs House Bistro – Nailsworth

‘Celebrating British Food’

Hidden in the depths of the Cotswolds, just off Minchinhampton Common, through the windy roads and past the odd cow venturing across the road, you will find the quaint little town that is Nailsworth. It is in this picturesque paradise that you will discover Hobbs House Bistro.

Part of the famous Hobbs House baking dynasty, the bistro is run by two brothers, whom you may have seen on your television screens, appearing in ’The Fabulous Baker Brothers’. Having released their first book of the same name to accompany the Channel 4 series, I was excited and eager to find out more when the bistro came onto my radar.

Situated above the bakery, the bistro has a cosy and intimate feel about it - the décor is modern – pink chairs, like the ones in art class at school, but more comfortable and, more to the point, different to what you would find in other local eateries. Once seated, we were presented with a clipboard-style menu made of brown paper, adding to the rustic feel that makes up Hobbs, their establishment, and their bakery. The menu changes weekly and consists of five starters, three mains, three steaks cooked on their wood-fired grill, two sides and two desserts. A perfect menu comprised of seasonal ingredients with something for everyone, without overdoing the choice element. Being one who is unable to make up my mind easily, this appeals to me, as it saves me from choosing in haste in order not to annoy the patient waiter further, and then ending up with the inevitable food envy for the dishes of my fellow diners.

The wine list, equally  as good, features ‘the week’s specials’ with a short account of the origin, flavours and recommended dishes to accompany it, which, wine expert or not, I always find an interesting read and a nice touch. My guest and I, having not got the logistics right, where both driving and therefore ordered a ‘carafe’ (500ml) of the house Sauvignon Blanc, that arrived in a jug made by Winchcombe Pottery, a local potter who has been around for years – I was so pleased to see his pieces in a restaurant.

And so, onto the food. First, we were given a selection of Hobbs’s House Bakery breads: malaises, seeded and a 57 year old sourdough, served with an olive tapenade, a nice nibbler whilst studying the menu.

To start, we had Devilled Crab, freshly caught from Brixton, Devon, served on G-Stone bread with a pickled cucumber salad. You could taste the freshness of the crab that left a satisfyingly spiced aftertaste, which was then soothed by the sweetness of the picked cucumber.  

To follow came a true triumph - wood grilled Lop (which much to my guest’s embarrassment is not the name of the pig, but the breed) pork loin, roast pepper and little gem salad, chorizo falafel and aioli, served with (diet on hold) triple cooked chips. Similarly, my guest gave a huge thumbs  up to her roasted hake with samphire, peas and garlic. What a delicious feast we had, in particular the pork with unfamiliar flavour combinations that just worked, much to my satisfaction. The pork oozed flavour and was cooked to perfection with the skin  crisp and salty, like pork scratching’s, just how it should be. It would also be rude not to mention the perfectly triple cooked chips - crisp on the outside and beautifully soft in the middle.

 

As for dessert, it doesn’t matter how full you are, there’s always room, and when you have chocolate fondant with raspberries and cream as well as fig and almond tart with vanilla mascarpone on offer, how could you refuse! On this occasion we were lucky enough to meet one of ‘The Fabulous Baker Brothers’ himself, Tom Herbert. Lucky for us, although unfortunate for him as he had managed to lock himself out of his house! What an interesting man offering not only inspirational food but also some fantastic stories that had us mesmerised and laughing throughout dessert.

 

 

Verdict: Definitely worth a visit to discover this ‘hidden treasure’.

http://www.hobbshousebakery.co.uk/bistro/
Twitter - @HobbsHousBistro