A 400-year-old village pub has reopened with the new landlady asking her first visitors what they would like to see there.
Scientist turned landlady, Rodeina Challand, 62, opened the doors of the beamed and characterful Green Man in Hinton Road, Hurst last Friday.
“I chatted to everyone to see what they would like here – the top vote was for Sunday roasts – and that is what we’re going to do,” she said.
“We need the support of the community. It is very important. I want to run this pub so it’s known for a cosy, homely and family atmosphere.
Mrs Challand, a keen member of Twyford Health Club, is well known in the area, having lived in Charvil, Twyford and Hurst for about 30 years.
Born in Lebanon, she came to the UK for schooling and degrees in science and law, followed by work in the pharmaceutical industry doing drug development. She is now retired from the industry after 35 years.
“I really wanted to pursue my passion for hospitality and food, working along with my brother who is the chef here,” she said.
“When people walk into the pub they’re guests not customers. I want people to come here for a unique experience including homemade food.
“My ethos is East meets West. We’re offering a combination of Lebanese cuisine while maintaining the authenticity of British pub grub.”
Their menu includes Lebanese mezze with choices including humus, labneh (soft flavourful Middle Eastern cheese with herbs), guacamole, baba ganoush and olives.
There are also Wagyu beef burgers, halloumi burgers and vegan portabello mushroom burgers, all with accompaniments and fries. Halloumi and Greek salads are available.
Other dishes include charcuterie plates of preserved meat and pickles; tomato and mozzarella bruschetta; baked camembert with ciabatta and pickles and chocolate crunch dessert.
Also planned are fish and chips and a dish of the day on Saturdays.
On Sunday some happy lunchers cleared their plates and then booked a table for the coming Thursday and Sunday.
Mrs Challand’s brother Ali Watfa has worked across the Middle East. Julia Lindley, who ran the Elephant and Castle pub in Hurst until recently, is now helping at The Green Man.
Brakspear, owners of The Green Man, said it had been closed for just a short while. It was previously run for about a year by Wes and Victoria Tunstead, who ran it along with their pub the Dog and Duck at Emmbrook, Wokingham.
The Green Man is now open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4-11pm, and 11am to 11pm the rest of the week.
