Herts &amp; Beds


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Tilbury-Exterior-1000x750.jpg" alt="The Tilbury pub, Datchworth" class="wp-image-76469" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Tilbury-Exterior-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Tilbury-Exterior-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Tilbury-Exterior-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Tilbury-Exterior.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>One of two local pubs owned and run by the Bainbridge brothers, Tom and James, <a href="https://www.thetilbury.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Tilbury</a> is smack bang in between Hertford, Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City. It was a finalist in the Best Destination Pub category in this year&#8217;s Muddy Awards and with good reason. With 2 AA Rosettes to its name you can expect elevated British classics and creative seasonal dishes on the à la carte menu, an impressive (award-winning no less) wine list and a warm welcome from this family team. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/the-tilbury-3-1000x750.jpg" alt="The Tilbury pub tables dining room with exposed brick walls" class="wp-image-77579" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/the-tilbury-3-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/the-tilbury-3-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/the-tilbury-3-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/the-tilbury-3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Relaxed, rustic and welcoming. We (Katrina and Jo) were there for a mid-week lunch, and it wasn&#8217;t bustling, but there was a steady stream of customers coming to enjoy the fare. The décor is understated &#8211; no frills, such as statement art work or velvet banquettes &#8211; just simple and comfortable, exactly as you&#8217;d expect from a lovely local, with plenty of wood, leather seating, a Farrow-and-Ball-esque shade of sage green on the walls and some character features including original beams and cosy cubby holes. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-tilbury-2-750x1000.jpg" alt="The Tilbury pub dining table with sage green wood panelling and exposed brick" class="wp-image-77580" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-tilbury-2-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-tilbury-2-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-tilbury-2-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-tilbury-2-394x525.jpg 394w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-tilbury-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s the food that people come here for and while the quality is top notch (more on that below), there&#8217;s no stuffiness or pretension about it. The service was spot on, too &#8211; well paced and friendly, plus the waiting staff were very knowledgeable about the menus and quick to offer suggestions without any pushiness. In fact Ellen, who heads up the service team, disuaded me from ordering a side dish as she felt it wasn&#8217;t needed with our mains, which I found really refreshing. </p>



<p>There&#8217;s also an enclosed garden, where a large tipi has recently popped up. <a href="https://www.thetilbury.co.uk/the-tilbury-tipi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Tilbury Cocktail Tipi </a>will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 &#8211; 11pm and Sundays from 12 &#8211; 4pm with its own Tipi menu including summery cocktails, long sippers and small plates. What better excuse for a return visit!  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<p>While the locals will book in for a special occasion meal, many of The Tilbury&#8217;s customers travel to try Tom&#8217;s cooking &#8211; making this the definition of a destination pub. A passionate self-taught chef, Tom heads up the Tilbury kitchen and his creativity really shines through in the menu. You&#8217;ll find a mix of pub classics and seasonal mains, with the choice of starters and smaller &#8216;snacks&#8217;, which included confit chicken nuggets with truffle mayo (we didn&#8217;t try these but we&#8217;re guessing they&#8217;re a far cry from the frozen ones we dish up for the kids&#8217; tea!) and the intriguing sounding White Chocolate and Peppercorn Hummus with Anchovy Toast. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/the-tilbury-starter-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Whipped feta and balsamic strawberries the Tilbury" class="wp-image-77583" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/the-tilbury-starter-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/the-tilbury-starter-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/the-tilbury-starter-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/the-tilbury-starter-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/the-tilbury-starter-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/the-tilbury-starter-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/the-tilbury-starter.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Whipped Feta and Balsamic Strawberry starter</figcaption></figure>



<p>Jo and I shared a starter as we wanted to save room for dessert. I was weighing up the Wild Garlic, Asparagus and Potato Soup, while the Chinese Spiced Chicken &#8216;scrumpets&#8217; with hoisin sauce sounded appealing for the meat eaters. But, we opted for the whipped feta: light and creamy with tangy macerated strawberries and strawberry balsamic, which cut through with a mouthwatering punch. Whole radishes added a fresh, peppery crunch and crispy croutons completed the dish &#8211; we would have licked the plate clean if noone was looking (classy, I know!) </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Tilbury-burger-1000x750.jpg" alt="The Tilbury burger" class="wp-image-78137" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Tilbury-burger-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Tilbury-burger-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Tilbury-burger-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Tilbury-burger.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Jo ordered from the pub mains and opted for the new and improved Tilbury Burger &#8211; a 6oz patty, left to stand for longer to allow for extra juiciness. It ticked every burger box going: brioche bun, bacon, triple cheese, truffle and parmesan mayo, fries, fresh slaw and pickles. What a treat!</p>



<p>And, though <em>veeerrry</em> tempted by the beer batterd halloumi with mushy peas and chips, I went for the seasonal option (which changes regularly, so check the menu for the current dish), a Jersey Royal and Feta Tortilla, which was served with asparagus, a vibrant green wild garlic sauce, padron peppers, crispy leaves and a zingy tomato dressing &#8211; brand new to the menu that day! Such an inspiring change from often after-thought veggie options on pub menus. The flavours were so fresh and I loved the crispy tempura leaves. The asparagus had the perfect &#8216;bite&#8217; and the sauce was creamy yet light. It was a really substantial portion but (despite clearing my plate!) I didn&#8217;t feel overly full or heavy afterwards thanks to the abundance of fresh greens. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-tilbury-main-750x1000.jpg" alt="Tortilla with asparagus and padron peppers " class="wp-image-77584" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-tilbury-main-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-tilbury-main-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-tilbury-main-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-tilbury-main-394x525.jpg 394w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-tilbury-main.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /><figcaption>My seasonal tortilla with wild garlic sauce and Jo&#8217;s Tilbury burger in the background!</figcaption></figure>



<p>Finally, pud had to be shared again &#8211; would it be Strawberry Jam Bread and Butter Pudding, or Sweet Labneh with slow roast honey grapes and dukka? We couldn&#8217;t resist the choccie option, so plumped for the Brownie with rhubarb fool and rhubarb and ginger syrup. Sweet and indulgent with an elegant fruity sharpness and a creaminess to the fool, which counteracted the rich chocolate hit. Perfection! </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-Tilbury-dessert-1000x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77585" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-Tilbury-dessert-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-Tilbury-dessert-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-Tilbury-dessert-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-Tilbury-dessert-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-Tilbury-dessert-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-Tilbury-dessert-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/The-Tilbury-dessert.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We both enjoyed a refreshing white wine spritzer (as we were driving home &#8211; boo!) but the wine list was impressive and extensive, with a good choice of sparkling, seasonal, English, dessert and Cellar wines (by top producers) along with a range of reds, whites and rosés arranged by country, plus plenty of affordable &#8216;by the glass&#8217; and &#8216;half bottle&#8217; options. </p>



<p>Not feeling three courses? You don&#8217;t have to go the whole hog here, thanks to the £10 weekly specials &#8211; during the winter there were pies, and for the warmer months you can expect gourmet sandwiches. What better excuse to hang around a bit longer when you&#8217;ve just popped in for a pint? </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KIDS, DOGS AND ACCESSIBILITY</h2>



<p>Families are welcome at The Tilbury &#8211; Tom and his wife Emma have their own little one, who was heartily enjoying his lunch in the sunshine when we were there and, with my &#8216;mum&#8217; hat on, I spotted a few high chairs dotted about indoors. There&#8217;s a kids&#8217; menu too, with not a Baked Bean in sight, just mini versions of some of the pub classics (and that fab brownie for pud!). Want to bring pooch? They&#8217;re welcome to join you in the garden but not in the pub itself. And the dining is all on ground level, with a ramp up from the car park and a disabled loo, so it&#8217;s really accessible for wheelchair users and parents with prams. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Genuine foodies, who care more about the flavours and quality of the food than the fancy décor or name above the door. Tom and James are local foodie heroes in their own right, and if you hadn&#8217;t heard about them before, you have now! </p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> If you&#8217;re after pub grub on a budget, washed down with a watery pint or glass of house plonk, you won&#8217;t find that here. But you can find affordable specials, local ales and an award winning wine list alongside an excellent menu of quality pub fare and refined British cooking.</p>



<p><strong>The damage: </strong>You&#8217;re looking at around £6 &#8211; £12 for snacks, starters and desserts, while mains range from £15.50 &#8211; £26.50. So, three courses with a bottle of wine would set you back in the region of £120 per couple. However there&#8217;s no pressure to have three courses, and you could enjoy a main and glass of wine for around £20-25, or plump for the £10 special. </p>



<p><strong><a href="https://www.thetilbury.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Tilbury</a>, Watton Road, Datchworth, Hertfordshire, SG3 6TB. Tel: 01438 815550</strong></p>


Pub review: The Tilbury, Datchworth Herts

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