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There is nothing quite like crossing over the threshold of your favourite local pub and being greeted with warm smiles, sumptuous sofas, a roaring open log fire and an opulent interior after enjoying a brisk walk in the cool Autumn air.
With the nights drawing in on us and the temperatures turning colder, I love nothing more than spending my weekends sipping a glass of fizz or tucking into a warm hearty meal. I’ve visited the Duke’s Head in Crawley several times over the last few years either for date nights, birthdays, anniversaries or just because hubby and I fancy a treat after
When I heard that my favourite pub would be hosting an exclusive event showcasing their festive food and drinks menus to local businesses and the press, I was curious. So I decided to reach out to Clair and her team so I could find out more. When Clair extended an invitation to me, I jumped at the opportunity to spend another evening in my second home.
For a few years now both myself and my family have spoken about the possibility of opting for a pre-Christmas family get together or even spending Christmas day there, so mum could enjoy a Christmas without having to worry about preparing dinner for everyone and then washing up, whilst everyone else falls asleep on the sofa whilst watching the Queen’s speech.
So, their showcase seemed like the ideal opportunity for us to not only sample some of the latest seasonal offerings but also have a chat with Clair, Luke and the rest of the lovely team.
The event, which took place on 16th October 2019, didn’t disappoint. From the moment we drew up to the front of the pub exterior, we were greeted with Christmas decorations, a warm glow beckoning us in and friendly familiar faces as soon as we walked through the doors.
The Duke’s Head has always impressed me with the beautiful warm tones, plush sofas, knowledgable staff and delicious food and drink, but this showcase exceeded all of my expectations once again.
From the impressive gin bar where we could experiment with a wide range of garnishes, to the incredibly talented resident singer Hanna Marie who provided the evening entertainment and created a lovely relaxing ambience with her soulful voice… this evening was perfect!
Naturally, it didn’t take much encouragement from Claire and Luke before we all decided to sample some of the bitesize delights which included mini dirty sliders with bacon, beef dripping roasted potatoes, roasted tomato shots, indulgent warm chocolate brownie bites and my personal favourite Christmas pudding pieces.
The food was impossible to resist, so much so that mum and dad decided to have seconds when it came to the duck liver and port parfait crostini, smoked salmon, king prawn spoons, maple pork belly bites and honey mustard mini pork sausages.
After sampling the truely festive menu and enjoying a glass of prosecco, a couple of G&T’s and sitting back whilst I listened to Luke and Hanna perform a festive duet, I found the day’s stresses slipping away from me as I enjoyed a very festive showcase in the middle of October. It really did leave me feeling warm and fuzzy inside. You could be forgiven for forgetting that Halloween was only 15 days away.
Are you looking for somewhere to host your Christmas office party?
Be sure to check out The Duke’s Head in Crawley. They offer a wide range of festive packages and even have an exclusive area for you and your team, so you can enjoy the VIP treatment and really kick-off the celebrations with a bang. Unlike many other venues, they don’t charge a hiring fee either, which means you only pay for your Christmas meal. Moreover, if you are looking for a personalised touch, then I can highly recommend the Duke’s Head and their team. One of the things I particularly love about the staff and their expertise is you can be confident that whatever they recommend, they have personally tried it and therefore genuinely love it! As a fussy eater, this is something that I value a lot and it just goes to show that the whole team take great pride in going that extra mile for their customers.
You can find out more about this cosy home from home over on their website here or alternatively why not give them a call for a chat on 01342 712431.
As always all thoughts and opinions are my own. The food and drink were all complimentary, but I was under no obligation to share a review. I only ever share products and services that I am personally passionate about and genuinely love.
Thank you so much to The Duke’s Head in Crawley Down for having us.
P.S. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to sit by that open roaring fire, devour deliciously cheesy camembert and steal some of my hubby’s Merlot.
Love Emma
XxXx
