Almanack, The

The Almanack is a modern British gastropub in the heart of Kenilworth, between Abbey Fields and the High Street. The Almanack belongs to the people behind the Rose and Crown in Warwick. Jeremy Kynaston has enjoyed 2 years there, winning friends and awards along the way and is now in the process of welcoming old friends and making new ones at the Almanack.

On arrival the entrance takes you into a comfortable bar and lounge furnished with beautiful vintage armchairs and sofas. There is a great island bar in the middle where you can drink, chat and watch the world go by as well as a glamorous dining room with views of the open kitchen. Perfect for dinner parties with family and friends is the Private Dining Room which can sit up to 24 people.

At the heart of a true gastropub is, of course, the menu. Head Chef Corin Earland has won many awards in his career so far including a prestigious Acorn Award, which recognises the rising stars of the catering industry.  He came out front of house to help launch The Almanack and, after three months travelling, is now back in the kitchen serving a fantastic menu featuring both retro and modern pub dishes and some more sophisticated options.

Breakfast is served from 8am to 11am, featuring healthy, sensible food with not a full English in sight, and, if you're in a real rush, you can take it away with you. The deli board lives on in five manifestations of cheese, meat, fish, antipasti and a favourites board, all served with bread and chutney. A perfect start to a meal or to share with a friend over a glass of wine or two! For those in a hurry, the roast of the day is ideal. You can check which day it is by what's on your plate, ranging from Jimmy Butler's free-range gammon to the Aberdeenshire 28 day dry-aged roast beef and full trimmings.

Their meat is all free range and comes from award-winning local butcher, Aubrey Allen. Other ingredients are sourced from producers who take pride in their products and an ethical stance in their production. The Almanack ensures their menu always makes the most of the best seasonal ingredients (this is to avoid air-freighting and keeps you in touch with the cycle of the year) to maximise freshness, quality and value.

Whilst eating is most certainly taken seriously, a pub wouldn't be a pub without great drinks. For those who like a wine list that does the business with adequate choices, but not enough to cloud your judgement, Almanack is your place. A choice of four champagnes, two by the glass is followed by a selection of whites that embrace Cloudy Bay Sauvignon 2008, and start with a South African Chenin Blanc available in bottle, large or small glass on draught, or a carafe for friendly drinking. Amongst the reds I spotted a Malbec, San Rafael from Argentina. Both these countries are now producing wines that will stand with the best from almost anywhere.

The Almanack is a pub with a conscience about eating and drinking, with a real sense of purpose. The customer concern level is high, and I would go so far as to say that at last somebody has found a way to combine the best of the gastropub with fresh 21st century bonhomie, that has given new meaning to 'the local'.

Find out even more by clicking on their Website. You might also want to consider visiting The Rose & Crown in nearby Warwick, the sister pub to The Almanack.