Josh Searle – Head chef at Dylans Front of House Winner
What got you into cooking? My mum had a big influence on me growing up. She is a great home…
ABOUT
Dylans at The Kings Arms is a Top 100 Gastro Pub 2023 ( jumping 22 places in this year’s list to number 72) that is also featured in the Good Food Guide – housed in a beautiful 15th Tudor Century building on George Street in the Cathedral Quarter of St Albans.
For hundreds of years, it was a pub ‘The Old King’s Arms’ which sadly closed in the late 1990s. In more recent years it was a French restaurant and when the freehold became available in 2014, Dylans at The Kings Arms was created. A local pub and restaurant to rival some of the most exceptional pubs and restaurants in London.
Owner, Sean Hughes and his family run the pub closely with their team, not only to ensure that everyone enjoys their visit but as a key community asset and somewhere for neighbours and visitors to meet.
A neighbourhood gem, Dylans at The Kings Arms is loved locally for its award-winning food, service (winner of Best Front of House Team in the UK – Top50 Gastropubs) and extensive range of craft beer, specialist wines and spirits.
The kitchen is headed up by Josh Searle who has been with Dylans for 6 years and Head Chef for the past 2 years, developing his own style of cooking whilst staying true to the Dylans ethos of simplicity and quality.
Adapting the menu to make the most of the season’s best produce and with a focus on quality produce from small, local, and family suppliers, Josh cooks the kind of food we all love to eat. Specialities include Dairy Cow Rib and fresh Cornish fish cooked to perfection.
With a snacking menu available in the front bar room and an a la carte restaurant in the back, Dylans offers unpretentious but high-quality dining in a casual pub environment.
And who is Dylan? Well, Dylan was Sean’s dog, a naughty chocolate Labrador. Sadly, Dylan passed on in 2019 but his legend lives on!
NEWS
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We’ve climbed 22 places in Top 100 Gastro Pubs List!
For the second year running, we’re proud to announce that Dylans at The Kings Arms has been included in the Estrella Damm Top 100,…
We are Hiring
We’re on the look out for passionate and dynamic people to join our award-winning team. We are an independent company with…
OUR TEAM
JOSH SEARLE
HEAD CHEF
Happy 5-year Dylans anniversary to our brilliant head chef Josh Searle! There’s lots that goes on behind the scenes to create the flavours and textures that make our dishes taste the way they do and leading our kitchen team and our menu development is Josh. Josh has developed his talent in our kitchens after joining us in 2018, exploring his own culinary interests and passions whilst also remaining true to the Dylans ethos of simplicity. We’re so proud of his journey from sous chef to head chef and our recent achievements that he’s been instrumental to (Good Food Guide, Top 50 Gastro Pubs) and look forward to the years ahead!
LEXI
FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER
Lexi’s favourite cocktail is an Espresso Martini (made with decaf coffee - because its key ingredient keeps her awake, but it doesn't wake her up!) Our wonderful and naturally energetic front of house manager has been with us for over 7 years now and ensures that customers have a great experience from moment they walk through the door. A true people person, she loves being part of the community and spending time at the heart of it. Over the years, customers have become friends and colleagues have become family. Hospitable, professional (and exceptionally stylish), we couldn’t be without her!
G
TAPS
Happiest behind the bar - particularly one end of it - chatting to our regulars, G used to work at @madsquirrelstalbans before joining the team at Dylans two and a half years ago. Now in charge of taps and our all important craft beer offering, G is studying the lists to get the freshest beers on to our wall. G is a Gin specialist too, which is lucky as we have over 30 Gins on the bar. Her favourite serve is the Spanish Nordés with a light tonic and a slice of lemon (a true classic). What else can we, say aside from we absolutely love having G as a part of our team.
LATEST ON INSTAGRAM
The Christmas countdown is on!
We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Dylan’s at The Kings Arms this December.
If you haven’t yet booked we still have some availability and we’re also opening on Tuesdays to give you more opportunities to enjoy our December menu.
We’ll also be opening the bar on Monday nights (5-11pm) throughout December too.
Cheers 🥂
On Monday, December 9th we are hosting a Community Christmas Evening!
From 6 pm we’ll be opening the doors for Christmas shopping accompanied by boozy hot chocolate, mulled wine and festive cocktails.
We have invited some talented local designers and makers to set up shop so you can browse for unique gifts and last-minute stocking fillers. Plus, you will also be able to buy delicious Pudding Stop Christmas Puds and our own Mince Pie Vodka made in collaboration with our friends @58andco 🎁
Gifts include beautiful Jewellery by @_cara_jewellery_ and candles by @emmadaisyyoga plus @flowerboxstalbans will be there with wreaths and Christmas decorations. We also have the brilliant @tote.bagstheory here to put all of your presents in to carry everything home 🙂
Roberto is mixing some of our most popular cocktails available to buy for stocking fillers plus we will have gift vouchers printed in house personalised for you to take home.
Pop in for a gift and a drink and welcome the festive season! Everyone’s welcome!
#top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans #communitychristmas
Roast Wild Mushrooms, Burford Brown Yolk.
Sides do matter.. particularly when they are this good!
#top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans #wildmushrooms #burfordbrowneggs
How about a warming drop when you come in from the cold 🥃
Roberto has curated an exceptional list of spirits including Whisky from around the world you can enjoy by the dram.
#enjoystalbans #whisky #winterdrinks #top50gastropubs #goodfoodguide
To celebrate of the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau 2024 tomorrow, Josh has an exceptional dish of Boudin Noir, Pommes Purée, Lyonnaise Onions and Brown Butter Gravy on the menu, accompanied by a glass of the first French Beaujolais of 2024 (for the special price of £20).
We are expecting our delivery late morning so we will be serving this for Lunch and Dinner until sold out.
To book see link in bio.
#beaujolaisday #boudinnoir #top50gastropubs #goodfoodguide #enjoystalbans
Lamb and Mint Shepherds Pie. Proper Comfort food for this week’s cold snap ♨️
Available on our Mid-Week Lunch Menu.
Two courses - £25
Three courses - £29
Walk-ins welcome, booking advisable.
#midweeklunchmenu #top50gastropubs #sheperdspie #comfortfood #goodfoodguide
70% Chocolate Mousse, Clementine, Roasted Pistachio.
Josh’s elevated take on a chocolate orange 🍊
Available on November’s Mid-Week Lunch Menu.
Two courses - £25
Three courses - £29
#top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans #midweeklunchmenu #chocolatemousse
Creamed Mussels, Smoked Bacon & Buttered Leeks.
A sublime combination of classic flavours can be found in this starter available on our Mid-Week Set Lunch Menu.
Two courses £25
Three courses £29
To book see link in bio.
#mussels #top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans #goodfoodguide #midweeklunch
Need to plan that festive get together? 🎄
The round table at the back of our restaurant is the ideal spot for a larger group.
Cosy, atmospheric.. perfect for dinner with friends.
To book see link in bio.
#top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans #xmasrestaurants #goodfoodguide
Warm Blackberry & Almond Frangipane, Clotted Cream.
The perfect balance of sweet and tart made with seasonal berries.
One of three desserts to choose from on this month’s Mid-Week Lunch Menu.
Two courses £25
Three courses £29
Walk-ins welcome, booking advisable. See link in bio.
#frangipane #midweeklunch #top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans
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