Albert Arms
Well done to The Albert Arms, Esher. After a hiatus and period of extended closure, this local gem is once again out of the starting gate and running well.
Fuller’s has transformed the place. Gone are the ‘local boozer’ vibes. The pub is now firmly family-friendly, warm and welcoming.
Crucially regulars have remained loyal, having had a say in the revamp and restyle of their favoured haunt. As is often – and rightly – the case with a much-loved local, opinions were strong.
Judging by the friendly crowd gathered by the bar on a forbiddingly wet Tuesday night, Fuller’s listened well.
Customers looking to enjoy the great selection of ales and lagers will also notice that prices have been reduced to sensible levels. The thinking goes: why should locals be forced to pay a premium?
The new interior is as shiny as a sixpence. Given the pub’s proximity to Sandown Park, racing paraphernalia and artwork (naturally) abound. There are wooden panelling, bookshelves and tartan upholstery, as well as leather banquettes, retro bevelled mirrors and vintage-style cord flexes on the pendant lights.
The whole effect is one of congenial country house meets 1940’s living room (minus the war-time angst).
In keeping with the inclusive ambience, TVs are tastefully hidden behind paintings when not in use.
There’s been a change in guard upstairs as well. The front two rooms are now exclusively function rooms for events and business meetings. The rear room is now a dedicated, cosy restaurant with statement hanging plants. Quite lovely.
Given it was a Tuesday night, we ate downstairs in the informal dining area to the rear of the pub. We were within earshot of the pleasing hubbub of conversation from the bar yet we had enough privacy to eat in peace.
The Albert Arms serves solid pub grub and, within that bracket, the food is a front runner.
My partner had the (very) spicy Vietnamese chicken wings (£7) and the Fuller’s Frontier beer-battered haddock, triple cooked chips and crushed peas with mint (£13.50). Both received an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
I plumped for autumnal pumpkin soup (£5.50) – pleasingly peppered with crunchy pumpkin seeds – and served with toasted ciabatta bread. My main – Goat's cheese, sweet potato, chargrilled broccoli, spelt, almond, herb & red pepper salad (£10) – was extremely tasty and just the right balance of flavour and texture to maintain my interest throughout.
Our puddings – Vintage Ale sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel ice cream (£5.50) and Key lime cheesecake (£6.50) – didn’t last long.
Overall, the menu is tight yet very well balanced.
There are three vegetarian-friendly mains on the menu (yes, three!). As there are six bedrooms upstairs – all suites named after famous racehorses – the pub also opens its doors for breakfast. There’s a lunch crunch menu, too.
All in all, The Alberts Arms is a great meeting spot for Esher locals and visitors alike. I’ll bet this filly stays in the running.
The Albert Arms; 82 High Street, Esher KT10 9QS (book here)
