Former Le Manoir and Clove Club sommelier Bert Blaize (left in photo) has opened his first restaurant – Chandlery, overlooking the harbour at Well-next-the-Sea in North Norfolk. Meanwhile, sisters Siobhan and Caitriona Peyton have taken over a 300-year-old pub just a mile away, the Three Horseshoes at Warham.
Bert landed by the harbour in Wells two years ago when he opened his wine bar North Norfolk Cellars, which will continue in the same venue. He has recruited chefHarry Williams to run the kitchen at Chandlery, which majors on fish delivered directly from the harbour’s fleet, along with game, rare-breed meats and seasonal vegetables from nearby farms.
Drinks will include a wine list featuring classic European producers and some rarer bottles sourced from Bert contacts in the industry, along with cocktails made with Norfolk ingredients.
The Peyton sisters, whose brother Oliver runs the family’s catering business in London, made a big impact when they opened Sculthorpe Mill restaurant with rooms in Norfolk five years ago, and enjoyed similar success with The Ship in Brancaster, which they opened a year ago.
The Three Horseshoes opened in 1725, and these days incorporates the grade II listed Old Post Cottage next door.
The Peytons have not closed the venue after taking it over, saying: “Over the month of June customers can expect to see changes as we refresh the bar and restaurant while keeping the emphasis on preserving the famous traditional character.
“We will be enhancing the extensive garden with beautiful new planting and seating and behind the scenes upgrading the kitchen to serve elevated pub classics and the pub’s famous pies. Our ten characterful boutique bedrooms and garden cabins are all available to book now.”
