MyNewPub
The Cabinet
Reed, near Royston, Hertforshire
Agent: Davis Coffer Lyons
Dawn Aberams took over the Cabinet last week after working there as a general manager. She has worked in restaurants and pubs all her life and worked her way from the bottom up.
She said: "It's a stunning pub and the grounds are spectacular. I'm really pleased I've been given the opportunity to run it." Davis Coffer Lyons created a free-of-tie lease on behalf of a private client. No premium was sought and the initial rent is £50,000. The pub currently turns over between £5,000 and £6,000 a week.
Aberams has taken on a new chef, who previously worked for celebrity chef Steven Saunders, and changed the previous à la carte menu to a selection of set menus. The lunch menu is priced at £17 for two courses (£21 with dessert) and the evening menu is priced at £22.50 and £26.00.
She said: "It think it's much better this way. À la carte is old fashioned and I think set menus offer the customer better value for money." Popular dishes include fillet of air-aged beef with sautéed wild mushrooms, fondant potato, roasted cherry tomatoes and thyme jus and sea bream with minted sweet potato rosti, beetroot chutney and beetroot purée.
"I've got a lot of plans: to do lots of events in the garden, open a deli, open all day every day, and introduce a Champagne breakfast. Under the old management, the pub was moving towards being just a restaurant. I want to make it a place for locals as well as a destination pub." The food-led pub is listed and mentioned in guides including the Michelin Guide, Square Meal magazine and Waitrose Food Illustrated.
