The locals kept popping in as we were being shown around the new Market Tavern in Bampton, their excitement about the up-and-coming opening on Saturday palpable.
‘we asked the community what they wanted and they were unanimous in wanting a really Good village pub that serves great food’
“The feedback has been amazing, but then we asked the community what they wanted in place instead of the Fleur De Lys and they were unanimous in wanting a really good village pub that serves great food. So that’s what we are a doing,” new GM Will Morris explains.
And what a transformation. Gone is the red, French-themed interior, replaced with darker walls, paintings, period furniture, flowers, comfy armchairs and a more convivial feel. “We just wanted to make it really cosy,” Will adds.
And what a transformation. Gone is the red, French-themed interior, replaced with darker walls, paintings, period furniture, flowers, comfy armchairs and a more convivial feel
So the bar is now an area where locals and guests can sit and enjoy a drink or relax, away from the dining areas, while the food offering is pivotal – the new menu serving pub classics with flair.
For those who visited, The Fleur De Lys was an excellent French restaurant situated in the Bampton hotel which boasts nine rooms. But when their team left to concentrate on other projects, the owners Talfryn and Gemma Buttress contacted Will Morris, to see if he would come on board. And Will jumped at the chance.
“I knew it could work 100% because primarily this is for the local community. So we have done our homework in terms of what people want but still want to stand out and be the best in the area. And that’s we will deliver.
‘We are not reinventing the wheel here but we want to be amazing at what we do in terms of food and service’
“We are not reinventing the wheel here but we want to be amazing at what we do in terms of food and service. Put it this way, we have worked really hard to get to this point and really want to put our stamp on it. And the local support has been fantastic,” he says.
Current chef Stuart Banks is staying put luckily, (if his French onion soup is anything to go by we’re all in for a treat) and judging by his menu, he’ll be packing out the aisles. Think delicious bar snacks such as focaccia with beef dripping, fried olives or ham and cheddar croquettes.
‘Current chef Stuart Banks is stayed put and judging by his menu, he’ll be packing out the aisles’
Starters include the ‘Bampton Royal’ Scotch egg with roasted tomato chutney or the twice baked cheddar soufflé with spinach, mustard cream. Then maybe the Market Tavern Cheeseburger (with veggie and vegan versions), the confit belly of pork with crackling, baked apple sauce, creamed potato, greens or the poached smoked haddock, poached egg, spinach, white wine cream. Grill lovers can enjoy rump, rib eye, half chicken or whole seabass and to finish the rhubarb and apple crumble. We literally cannot wait to get in there, once it’s open, and review it.
And while local produce is an easy term to bandy around, here it’s the real deal. Take the sausages on the bar snack and main menu – they hail from the local butchers two doors down, so local suppliers mean local suppliers.
Presumably Bampton’s hordes of tourists and visitors will be equally as enamoured, especially with the village being so synonymous with Downton Abbey! And with a huge garden to boot, 50 covers and even a breakfast offering starting in May, the whole Market Tavern team are understandably raring to go.
“It’s what I’ve worked for my whole life, and we have such a great team here, so we are really excited. We just want everyone to come and experience The Market Tavern for themselves, so come and see us,” Will smiles. “I can’t wait.”
The Market Tavern opens on Saturday (April 26). For more details go to: https://www.themarkettavernbampton.com
