Marchmont Arms, The

The Marchmont Arms is a warm and welcoming country inn and restaurant, located just north of Hemel Hempstead in Piccotts End. The white building that houses the 18th century pub was a private residence for over two centuries before being transformed into a modern dining destination.

The interiors are furnished with teak tables, comfortable leather couches, large mirrors and an exciting blend of old and new knick knacks. The large open log fire adds to the warm and pleasant atmosphere. The Marchmont Arms bar stocks ten different beers on tap ranging from continental lagers to European speciality beers, such as Leffe and Edelweiss, as well as ales like the award winning Timothy Taylor Landlord. The wine list has an even balance of New and Old World wines with a variety of styles to choose from.

The Marchmont Arms's menu is contemporary with lots of tempting homely dishes to choose from and to set the right note of fashionable sociability there are sharing plates, Spanish tapas of stuffed pequillo pepper, tortilla, Parma ham and sardines, a baked Camembert with rustic bread and onion marmalade, Greek mezze of taramasalata with humus, tzatziki, feta and flatbread, or a pizzette with garlic, rocket and Parmesan.

Amongst the starters, there is soup of the day, smoked ham with poached egg and muffin, chicken liver parfait, crayfish and salmon ravioli or caramelised onion tart. Look, too, for Black Pearl scallops when the market is right. The salads - sorry, that should read 'leaves' - offer tandoori chicken with spinach, mango, cucumber and mint, for the seafood fiends some seared salmon Caesar with marinated anchovies and parmesan or roasted squash, goats cheese, cherry tomato and rocket.

These days no self-respecting gastropub can afford to be without its pizza range; expect to find a classic Margherita of tomato, mozzarella and basil, another with pepperoni, chorizo and jalapeno or the delicious duck, plum sauce and spring onion option.

The grills for hearty eaters are worth trying and choices include pork chops and salmon among others. These are all served with frites, garlic butter, brandy peppercorn sauce, béarnaise, burnt tomato and onion salsa or mango and chilli. For the big event there is always a fish of the day on request.

The steak burger with cheese, onion and mustard mayo is popular, a sign of the times and improving taste in eating. There is lovely rack of lamb with chorizo as well as venison and wild mushroom or the creamy risotto.

A wide range of supporting dishes includes baby potatoes, Belgian frites and mayo, and greens, leeks and peas. For those who have to be lashed to a plank to induce them to eat vegetables, try them here, honey roasted carrots, altogether different from the all too often steamed variety. For desserts resort to the blackboard, where there is always a good display, often with some of the local cheeses to set the buffs alight.

Their excellent Website will keep you up to date on any changes. Please note that the E-Mail Contact is for enquiries only, not for bookings.