Best Pub / Wine Bar 2009
The Best Pub/Wine Bar title went to The White Lion in Soberton.
Taken over three years ago by a husband and wife team (Nikki Burdon's the chef, Andy is front of house), The White Lion is an unpretentious village pub. It is a treasure trove of good food and a small but perfectly-formed wine and beer list.
Nikki and Andy collected the award along with second chef Liz Croker. Before taking over The White Lion, Andy was a telecoms consultant and Nikki was a full-time mum.
Andy says: 'We're stunned. It's fantastic. I'm chuffed to bits.
'The White Lion is a proper old country village pub. It's very traditional, there's no music, no jukebox and no game machines. We have a proper drinking bar and a separate dining area. There are log fires and all the food is home-made and locally sourced.
'We also have an idyllic location, right by the church and village green, a small and loyal team, loyal locals and (with two children ourselves) a family oriented atmosphere.'
The runner-up was The Blue Bell Inn in Emsworth. Here, what the Babb family – Thomas and son Giles – has is hospitality in spades and the art of keeping this Emsworth pub as a focal point of society.
Janet Hillier from Pubwatch presented the awards.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
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