Popular pub and restaurant The King’s Head re-opened to the public last week following an extensive renovation – boasting a refreshed bar, enhanced dining area, new soft furnishings and an array of modern and contemporary additions.
Keen to see the new look for myself and give the food a try, I headed down to Waltham High Street with my family last Saturday, one day after the special ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to officially unveil the pub’s makeover.
We were greeted by the friendly staff and shown to our table, a lovely little booth in the corner of the dining room. The first thing I noticed was just how amazing the pub looks after its renovation, with its fresh carpet, contemporary new furnishings, dim and relaxed lighting and pops of colour in the form of neon word signs and modern pictures on the walls.
After browsing the new menu, it’s safe to say I was absolutely starving, especially after I saw the Ultimate Plates that were on offer. These are essentially just huge plates of food that combine a range of different elements into one meal. For example, the Curry House Feast includes chicken tikka masala and a tandoori chicken skewer drizzled with cucumber yoghurt, naan bread, basmati rice, poppadoms, samosas, mango chutney and a mixed salad.
The Chicken Feast, on the other hand, combines crispy chicken wings, salt and chilli chicken fries and crispy buttermilk chicken, stacked with bacon, American cheese and BBQ sauce, with grilled corn, coleslaw, baked beans, Southern States gravy and skin-on fries.
(Image: Grimsby Live)
I was torn between these two and the Short Rib Platter, which is a succulent two-bone BBQ beef rib served with mac ‘n’ cheese, grilled corn, grilled tomato, onion rings, coleslaw and skin-on fries. In the end, I went for this one. Staff were more than happy to swap my grilled corn and tomato for a side salad.
My other half went for the Mega Mixed Grill, and my little girl chose pasta, cheesy garlic bread and peas from the kid’s menu. Staff were really ‘on it’ and asked straight away if anyone had any allergies, and when I explained that my daughter has an egg allergy, they showed me a special menu with all the allergens in each element of her dish. I’m pretty clued-up on what she can and can’t have now, but it was lovely to have that extra reassurance.
The pub was practically heaving, with it being just a day after it re-opened, but our meals were served in really good time. My Short Rib Platter was presented beautifully, with the ribs oozing with BBQ sauce and topped with spring onions and fresh chillies.
(Image: Dean Atkins Photography)
The other elements were served in little bowls alongside the ribs, and I dug in. It was probably one of the best dishes of its kind I’ve ever had – the ribs were packed with rich and moreish flavour and the chilli just gave them that extra kick, which I love.
Combined with the creamy and comforting taste of the mac ‘n’ cheese and generously dunked in coleslaw, they were just absolute heaven, and I’d order this dish again in a heartbeat.
If you’re in the mood to treat yourself and put any healthy eating or diets aside for one lunch or dinner this week, I’d highly recommend the Short Rib Platter.
The King’s Head is a lovely place to visit for a meal out with family, and has so many different options on its menu to choose from. Staff are pleasant and friendly, it’s an accommodating venue to bring kids, and the new look is just fantastic.
