Watford Town Centre Welcomes a New High Street Bar & Restaurant
For the last few months, passers-by and shoppers in Watford’s town centre will have witnessed a brand-new pub taking shape in a large corner site on the High Street, adjacent to the entrance to the popular Atria Shopping Centre.
Owned by Oakman Inns, The Beech House opened its doors on Monday and General Manager, Giancarlo Ungaro, who first joined Oakman Inns in 2015, said: “We are so excited to welcome the people of Watford to our sixth Beech House. Our 40-strong team has spent the last two months training and honing their skills. We have an experienced chef brigade led by Head Chef, Alan Eiesenband, and Senior Sous Chef, Joni Matos, who between them have worked with some of the best chefs in the UK including the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Ottolenghi.”
Head Chef, Alan Eiesenband, said: “The Mediterranean inspires our wide-ranging menu, but we also offer classic British home comforts and imaginative plant-based dishes. Flexing through the day, you can choose from nibbles and sharers, Neapolitan pizza, salads, roasts, grills and a delicious selection of breakfast, brunch, lunch dishes and desserts. We have healthy kids’ menus and every day my team and I will be creating seasonal specials using fresh, sustainable ingredients, and a selection of herbs, salads and vegetables grown in our company’s own Kitchen Garden.”
The opening of the creatively designed Beech House is not just a symbol that celebrates a significant period in the town’s history: its position in the heart of the High Street is a perfect setting for shoppers, workers, cinema goers, families and groups of friends (and their four-legged friends), to meet for a Bottomless Brunch, an evening drink, a quick bite or a celebratory three course meal.
The large corner in front of the pub has been turned into an enclosed ‘pavement café’ or terrace with comfortable seating for up to 60 – perfect for watching the world go by. The spacious bar and restaurant are accessed through separate glazed over-sized sliding doors on either side of the terrace. The contemporary design - a nod to the current 1950’s mid-century modern interior design trend - complements the high ceilings and expansive windows to add a sense of space and light.
The restaurant features the Beech House’s characteristic open theatre-style kitchen, home to a charcoal grill and wood-burning pizza oven where diners can watch the skilled kitchen team prepare their orders in front of their eyes – from breakfast until late.
The combination of oak panelled walls, distressed copper cladding, reclaimed quarry tiles, terrazzo tabletops and large copper pendants infuse the dining area with tinges of warm coral. On the wall are a series of three especially commissioned geometric artworks by the Beech House’s favourite artist, Sheffield-based Florence Blanchard which intentionally accentuate the sumptuous teal leather covered banquettes. (https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChmNYIGg49a/)
The large bar provides a choice of comfortable seating for eating and drinking in a more relaxed, casual setting. An extensive hot and cold drinks menu includes fairtrade coffee and other hot drinks and a comprehensive range of beers, wines and cocktails including low and no alcoholic options.
Giancarlo added: “I’d like to thank the many Watfordians who have popped in to welcome us in what is a significant centenary year for the town. We can’t wait to meet more of our neighbours and get involved with the local community in the coming weeks and months and to provide them with the best hospitality, food, drinks and service all day, every day.”
