Herts &amp; Beds


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heard-it-on-the-grapevine">Heard it on the grapevine</h2>



<p>You may have come across this bottle shop and bar on a trip to Marlow, but the good news is there&#8217;s now one closer to home, in our very own Berkhamsted. <a href="https://www.grape-expectations.co.u">Grape Expectations</a> is a family run independent wine, beer and spirits merchant, where you&#8217;ll find bottles from small indie producers to big names in the biz (if you&#8217;re looking for a dinner party bottle to impress!) Pop in for a browse or hang around for a glass or two (we could be tempted&#8230;) Plus there&#8217;ll be wine tasting events too. And they even offer free local next day click and collect (dangerous!) Cheers! </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="590" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/grape-expectations-from-facebook-1000x590.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-73802" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/grape-expectations-from-facebook-1000x590.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/grape-expectations-from-facebook-800x472.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/grape-expectations-from-facebook-890x525.jpg 890w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/grape-expectations-from-facebook.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hitchin-s-your-oyster">Hitchin&#8217;s your oyster</h2>



<p>If you&#8217;re a Hitchin local, you&#8217;ll have noticed some changes afoot at <a href="https://www.hermitagerd.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hermitage Rd</a>. Not only is there a new coffee and bagel bar with 2,000 sq feet of beautifully designed coffee, lunching and work space which opened in August, but there&#8217;s also a fab brand new Nyetimber and Oyster Bar on the ground floor. You&#8217;ll be able to get British oysters and Brancaster Staithe smoked salmon (from the smokehouse at The Herm&#8217;s sister inn, The White Horse), washed down with some delicious English sparkling. Open Weds-Sat. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="749" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/hermitage-Rd-oyster-bar_Fotor-1000x749.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-74103" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/hermitage-Rd-oyster-bar_Fotor-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/hermitage-Rd-oyster-bar_Fotor-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/hermitage-Rd-oyster-bar_Fotor-701x525.jpg 701w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/hermitage-Rd-oyster-bar_Fotor.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-a-tring-thing">It&#8217;s a Tring thing</h2>



<p>There must be something in the water in Tring, as there&#8217;s not one, but three cool new kids on the block. First off <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/felumptious_fancies" target="_blank">Felumptious Fancies</a> has just opened at the old Cog Café site behind Costa, for cookies, cakes and all things sweet (don&#8217;t worry, we&#8217;re not counting the calories!) </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="937" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/felumptious-fancies-from-facebook-1000x937.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-73803" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/felumptious-fancies-from-facebook-1000x937.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/felumptious-fancies-from-facebook-800x749.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/felumptious-fancies-from-facebook-560x525.jpg 560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/felumptious-fancies-from-facebook.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Pumpkin whoopie pie and pumpkin cappucino, anyone? </figcaption></figure>



<p>And sadly we say goodbye to the lovely family run Italian, Mimi&#8217;s, but welcome Lebanese restaurant, Tarboush in its place (hooray!) which will be bringing Lebanese and Mediterannean food (and&#8230; erm&#8230; bellydancing apparently!) to the High Street (you might have tried the one in Watford <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://tarboushwatford.co.uk/" target="_blank">here</a> which will give you an idea of what to expect). </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="805" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/IMG_336C6786C605-1-1000x805.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-73779" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/IMG_336C6786C605-1-1000x805.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/IMG_336C6786C605-1-800x644.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/IMG_336C6786C605-1-652x525.jpeg 652w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/IMG_336C6786C605-1.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tarboush_watford/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@tarboush_watford</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Plus there&#8217;s a brand new sophisticated wine bar coming soon. <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/sirglis/?hl=en" target="_blank">Sir Glis</a> (presumably named after the town&#8217;s resident furry critters, brought in by Mr Rothschild, the Glis Glis &#8211; or edible dormouse &#8211; weird, but true!) Watch this space for more&#8230;  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-go-east">Go East</h2>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.sopwellhouse.co.uk/omboo-dining" target="_blank">Omboo</a> &#8211; the new restaurant at St Albans&#8217; Sopwell House &#8211; opened in July and brings Eastern and Asian sharing platters to the swanky hotel. I was lucky enough to sample some of the dishes at their summer garden party and can&#8217;t wait to try more in the exotic new restaurant setting (look out for my review soon!) Expect the likes of sushi, tempura and skewers with delicious sauces and glazes prepped by Head Chef, Derrick Chen and his team. There are no starters and mains here, it&#8217;s all about tucking in and sharing new flavours with friends. Yum! </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Omboo-22-03-16-Sopwell-House_Mains_167_LR_Fotor-1000x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-73801" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-say-it-with-flowers">Say it with flowers</h2>



<p>The talented bunch (sorry!) from Berkhamsted&#8217;s Japanese inspired florists-cum-Champagne-bar, <a href="https://www.hanakoflowers.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hanako</a>, have moved up the road to a rather grander setting in the courtyard of the stunning Ashridge House. But don&#8217;t worry, the girls are still running their brilliant workshops, as well as creating ready-to-buy bouquets, and you can pre-order for collection or delivery online. They also supply flowers for weddings, offer floral subscriptions and sell indoor plants, too. </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/2/2022/10/Hanako-Ashridge-House-750x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-73781" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Hanako-Ashridge-House-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Hanako-Ashridge-House-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Hanako-Ashridge-House-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Hanako-Ashridge-House-394x525.jpg 394w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Hanako-Ashridge-House.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-use-your-loaf">Use your loaf</h2>



<p>Sourdough purist and real bread campaigner Jo of local biz <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://josloaves.co.uk/" target="_blank">Jo&#8217;s Loaves</a> has just announced the opening of her brand new shop at <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.offleyhoofarm.com/" target="_blank">Offley Hoo Farm</a> near Hitchin. She delivers to Luton, Beds and North Herts already, but now you can pop in on Wednesdays and Fridays to buy her baps (cheeky!) in person from her lovely new outlet. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="998" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/jos-loaves-2-insta-998x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-73812" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/jos-loaves-2-insta-998x1000.jpg 998w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/jos-loaves-2-insta-798x800.jpg 798w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/jos-loaves-2-insta-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/jos-loaves-2-insta-524x525.jpg 524w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/jos-loaves-2-insta-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/jos-loaves-2-insta.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px" /><figcaption><a href="https://www.instagram.com/josloaves/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@josloaves</a></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-home-from-home">Home from home</h2>



<p>Gorgeous new homestore <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/cookandbutler/?hl=en" target="_blank">Cook and Butler</a> has popped up on Berkhamsted&#8217;s Lower Kings Rd. It&#8217;s got a lovely vintage hardware store feel to it, thanks to some fab antique finds which are dotted around the shop in amongst elegant and functional homewares, from baskets and brushes to stationery and toys. It&#8217;s open from Weds &#8211; Sat 10am-6pm and Sundays from 11am-5pm </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="787" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Cook-and-butler-1000x787.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-73805" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Cook-and-butler-1000x787.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Cook-and-butler-800x630.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Cook-and-butler-667x525.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Cook-and-butler.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>


9 exciting new openings in Herts & Beds

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