January 2010: snow again but we're still open!

December 2009

Seasons greetings from West End, where you can roast your chestnuts in front of the fire, now we’ve got it sorted and cries of 'toss a log on' ring out when it gets low; at least I think that is what they say!

We had a lovely day last Sunday when Tony Radford was awarded the SS spoon for 2009, a thoroughly well deserved award and the regulars lunch went swimmingly well with 2003 Chateau Beau - Site and 2008 Menetou Salon washed down some fine vittels cooked by the gang in the kitchen. Finally, the youngsters of West End came and carolled for us with not an in tune voice in the house - Wonderful, my Christmas has begun!

Over Christmas we are open every day for lunch and dinner as usual with the exception of :
Christmas Day when the bar will be open 11.30 'till 1.00am just to raise a glass of Christmas Cheer
Boxing Day when we will be open from 11.30 'till 3.00 just for drinks
New Years Eve Dinner Party from 8pm - please book
New Years Day when we will be open for Lunch from 12.00 'till 2.30 and the bar will shut about 4 o'Clock and we are then closed in the evening.

On New Years Eve we are having a Gastronomic Dinner Party. Arrive at 8 ish and dine anytime from then 'till 9.30. We will have our usual quizzes and games but no music, just gentle dinner party fun. If you would like a wine flight to go with your meal that will be available too. Carriages 12.30 - 1.00am. The dinner is a very reasonable £55.00 and the wine flight £29.50. This is always a really good evening and chance to get 2010 off to a great start, so get some friends together and book your table now!

We seem to have had more game than ever this year and have made Monday into a Game special night which has been very popular and the same with Fish on Wednesdays. If you fancy a particularly good selection of either of these, make sure to book a table and come on down. Only a few more weeks to enjoy game of course as the season ends on 31st January for most game.

If you haven't heard of scoot2boot then have a look at www.scoot2boot.com. It is a great service to get you and your car home after a meal so you don't have to worry about driving. I have just spoken to them and they are having a few issues with the weather, aren't we all, but in principle it is a great idea. If you want to discuss a booking with them they are on 07769 886670.

January wouldn't be January at The Inn if we didn't celebrate Burns Night which this year falls on Monday 25th. Pipes, Haggis, a wee dram and Whisky will all help us remember Rabbie the poet, lover, rogue and farmer. Please book for a really good evening. Whilst on the subject of whisky, have you seen the fine collection of malts we have? Lowland, Highland, Island and even Old Pultney from Wick on the East Coast. They are all there, ripe for the taking when you fancy something special.

It is a bit of a shock to realise that we have been here in West End for ten years in February! On the one hand it seems just five minutes ago, on the other, we feel as if we have been here all our lives. In that time The Inn has certainly got itself on the map and now gets visitors from all over the world as well as just up the road! It is a decade that deserves celebrating and we certainly will be so watch this space! We might even have a 'Naughty end to the Noughties' party, what do you think?

Another event to watch out for will be the rescheduled 'Dinner with Farmer Jones' which we are hoping to have in March but have not yet agreed the date. Richard Jones is a dedicated organic farmer with a very interesting story to tell so keep a look out for the date and come and join us for an agricultural ramble. Similarly, daddy to be Lee is talking of having a 'Winter Wood Oven' event with roast meats, mulled wine and the like, so if you fancy the idea of that, please give him a nudge.

Finally, I have to confess to looking forward with great interest and a certain trepidation to 2010. There will be a general election, world cup, tax rises and tough times. There will be more great food, wine and beer at ever more extortionate prices due to the extravagances of the last ten years (by HMG, bankers and all of us) and we will just have to get on with it. Tough it may be, but boring it wont! Tony will be trying to hang on to his title of stirrer of the year, Dave Brown to golfer of the year, Winky to self unemployed person of the year and Brian Wooldridge to the eh? What? Of the year! Whatever it is, thank-you for sharing your highs and lows, praise and criticism with us and we look forward to sharing your 2010 with you.

Best Wishes, Seasons Greetings, Happy Christmas and may your god go with you,

Gerry, Ann and all the Gang at The Inn @ West End