Red Mist Leisure, the award-winning, independently-run company with sites across Surrey and Hampshire, has opened its eighth pub on Hampshire's Odiham high street, following a £500k refurbishment.
Previously known as Next Door, Red Mist Leisure has reinstated its original name, The Red Lion, for the first time in 300 years. According to historical archives, up until 1700, the pub was an ale house called The Red Lion. It was then converted to a grocery store and traded as such until 1992, when it reverted to being an Inn.
Red Mist Leisure, who own seven other pubs across Hampshire and Surrey has turned the Red Lion into a destination establishment with seven stylishly decorated ensuite bedrooms due to open later this month, combining the historic charm of the building with light modern design.
Work began in March to turn the 500-year-old building which has been carefully restored, into a pub and inn that the market town and surrounding areas can use a hub for the community to meet in and relax and enjoy, just as a traditional pub should be.
The kitchen team, led by Head Chef Simon Lamb, has focused on creating a ‘Modern British’ pub menu which places a strong emphasis on fantastically fresh dishes with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients.
Dishes include Lightly beer battered haddock, fresh from Brixham market, with chunky chips, homemade mushy peas & tartare sauce, Slow cooked shoulder of lamb with dauphinoise potatoes, seasonal vegetables & a mint jus, and sharing boards such as the Best of Hampshire board featuring local cured meats.
For sweet treats, there's Rhubarb tart with rhubarb custard and Banoffee pie with honeycomb crunch, which are quickly becoming firm favourites.
Provenance and sustainability is increasingly important to customers, so the Red Lion has taken steps to ensure suppliers come from Hampshire and the South East of England wherever possible and to support British producers. It is a member of Hampshire Fare to further champion the great produce which the county offers.
Current producers and suppliers include The Great British Butcher, Alf Turner, Tunworth Cheese from the Hampshire Cheese Company, oil from The Cold Pressed Oil Company in Crondall, Hampshire roasted coffee from Mozzo, beer from Andwell Brewery in Hook, and wonderful English wines from Hattingley Valley in Alresford.
The heart of the pub has been maintained with a large open plan bar area with a rustic feel, perfect for a leisurely drink, serving a great selection of craft beers and local ales plus a wide range of wines and spirits including an interesting range of local artisan gins such as Twisted Nose and Gorilla Gin.
Dog friendly and with full wheelchair access, the Red Lion’s interior also boasts a welcoming atmosphere where the design has been carefully put together, sympathetic to the surrounding area and rich history of the building and of Odiham.
To the front of the pub the pavement offers a relaxed area to enjoy the charm of daily life in Odiham passing customers enjoy delicious local food and drink.
Mark Robson, Managing Director, said, “We’re really excited to have opened our 8th site. The Red Lion has an enviable location, situated on the high street of a picturesque and historic village. I am sure the pub’s manager Edina Szabo and her team will do an amazing job establishing The Red Lion within the community.”
The Red Lion will be open 7 days week from 9am -11pm, serving lunch and dinner every day and breakfast at the weekend. The restaurant has 60 covers.