SPOTLIGHT ON – THOMPSON St Albans 7 Sep 2022
Tell us about THOMPSON St Albans and the inspiration behind the business
THOMPSON St Albans offers the freshest seasonal ingredients, for dishes showcased in our 5, 7 and 9 course tasting menus with wine pairings carefully selected to compliment these flavours. I love it when the new seasons and produce come in, showing these to my chefs and coming up with new menu ideas. After almost 9 years since opening, we have evolved, creating a relaxed fine dining experience with special touches which our guests enjoy and a working environment focused on; teamwork, fun, constantly learning and progressing, with us as a business, reinvesting in our restaurant team and staff. The best bit of all is when guests leave delighted with their experience and knowing we made that possible…
What makes THOMPSON St Albans different? Give us three reasons
- We are a small, family-run, independently owned business
- Our tasting menus vary regularly, dictated by the ever-changing seasons
- Much of our produce comes from my father-in-law’s allotment, which we as a family all take care of – though my father-in-law is the boss and all works must be completed to his satisfaction!
What are your most popular dishes and drinks?
At the moment, our Pork Belly main course seems to be going down well, served with burnt apple, turnip and girolle mushrooms. It seems over the years this and our other pork dishes are often some of the most popular. Our Cocktails change with the menus, utilising seasonal fruit, and our non-alcoholic cocktails are also very popular.
What attracted you to open in St Albans?
9 years ago, there were few independent restaurants, coupled with St Albans being a busy, vibrant, beautiful, historic and diverse city. We have seen amazing support from our wonderful, capable and loyal staff and guests who continue to support us on our journey.
Tell us your plans for the future?
Our current focus is work / life balance – so much in the press on this – antisocial and long hours. We all want and need to spend time with friends and family. Like many other restaurants we have closed for most lunches except Friday and Saturday, all day Sunday and Monday. 2022 is the last Christmas day we will be open. We are closed for New Year’s Eve this year, for the first time since we opened in 2013. We also strive to push ourselves forward, enhance our dining experience, taking feedback from our guests and staff along the way. And of course come up with new and exciting dishes that will blow your socks off!
What do you most love about St Albans?
It’s a close-knit community and someone is always there to give a helping hand or lend advice when asked. It’s a busy city with loads to do so making a fantastic location / choice for visitors to the city.
What tips would you give to people visiting St Albans for the first time?
Must dos: Visit St Albans’ Cathedral, grab a coffee and a roll from one of the many independent eateries in St Albans and eat in in Verulamium Park, Verulamium Museum with some of the old Roman city exposed, a pint in The Boot, it’s great for shopping also and there is a theatre!
How can customers book a table?
Guests can book a table on our web site under the reservations tab, we use ResDiary they are great 😊
https://www.thompsonstalbans.co.uk/reservations/
You are at Pub in the Park. Is this your first time and what can people expect to enjoy?
This is our 3rd Pub in the Park, each year it’s bigger and better than the year before, thanks to Tom and his amazing team. The first year I was blown away with the organisation and the atmosphere was electric. The second year they smashed it out of the ballpark, so I can’t wait for this one!
Key info:
Date the business opened: 1st November 2013
Location: 2-8 Hatfield Road, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3RP
Social media handles: Twitter @thompsondining
Facebook @thompsonsdining
Instagram @thompsondining
Tel: 01727 730777
Website: www.thompsonstalbans.co.uk
