This month, newly established hospitality company, Herts Pubs Company, launches its first venture – The Cock, a restored 16th century coaching inn on Hitchin High Street. The pub opens on Friday 25th July, offering modern British dining with a strong focus on provenance and craft drinks.
Dating back over 450 years, The Cock has undergone a sensitive refurbishment to balance heritage features with contemporary design. The space includes a 46-cover dining room, a 15-cover private dining area (The Stables), a lounge and bar with statement oak bar top, and an enclosed patio garden for alfresco service.
Operations Manager Adam Msetfi leads the project, bringing over 20 years’ experience including Auberge Du Lac (Welwyn), The White Hart (Welwyn) and The Tilbury (Datchworth). Heading up the kitchen is Head Chef, Alex Corley, formerly of three AA rosette restaurant, Thompson (St Albans) and whose experience also includes Gordon Ramsay’s Savoy Grill and Petrus.
Open for all-day dining, menus will champion British suppliers, including meat from family butchers, Aubrey Allen and seafood from Cornish Flying Fish and Scottish supplier, Keltic Seafare.
Dishes range from bar snacks to larger plates. The bar menu features choices such as Cornish crab tartlet, elderflower and Granny Smith apple; Beef fat potato terrine chips with horseradish and mustard; Brioche doughnuts with pulled beef, pickled red onion, crispy onion, chives; and Homemade crumpets with Heritage tomato chutney and Tunworth.
Starters and mains include Citrus cured mackerel with rainbow radish; Roasted hen of the woods, chargrilled artichoke, wild garlic and crispy mushroom; Sirloin of 50-day aged heritage beef in a smoked bone marrow sauce; and Poached chalk steam trout in a beetroot and sorrel sauce.
Sundays will feature a dedicated roast menu with Herefordshire rump of beef, Blythburgh Farm pork belly or North Devon roast chicken. Drinks include local beers, craft brews and modern interpretations of classic cocktails.
Operations Manager, Adam Msetfi commented:
“We have been hard at work creating a premium pub offer rooted in quality British produce, designed to serve the local community while also appealing to visitors from further afield.”
More details can be found at www.thecockhitchin.co.uk.
The Cock
8 High St, Hitchin, SG5 1BH
Tel: 01462 539 200
Opening hours
Wednesday: 4pm-11pm
Thursday – Saturday: 12pm-11pm
Sunday: 12pm-7pm
Monday – Tuesday: Closed
