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
Read More →
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
Black Pepper & Pecorino Gnocchi, Caramelised Cauliflower, Walnut & Chili Butter.
One of three main choices on the Mid Week October Lunch Menu.
2 courses for £25
3 courses for £29
Walk-ins welcome, booking advisable.
#top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans #midweeklunch
If you’re out and about in town today, pop in for a drink and a bite.
With Poptober in full swing we have some wonderful Champagne and English Sparkling Wine by the glass for you to discover 🍾 (delicious with a Scotch Egg!)
#poptober #champagnebytheglass #enjoystalbans #top50gastropubs
Planning a festive get-together?
From King Oyster Mushroom Wellington to the freshest fish from our Cornish suppliers, there is something for everyone to enjoy on our seasonal menu, which will be available during lunch and dinner service throughout December – replacing our a la carte menu – priced at £56.00 per person.
And of course, we’ll be offering our signature Txuleta Prime Rib sharer with all the trimmings, plus we’ll be serving a special December snacking menu in the bar (walk-ins only).
#xmasbookings #enjoystalbans #xmasmenu #top50gastropubs
@top50gastropubs has created the ultimate guide to bringing the gastropub experience home… and our Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe is included!
See link in bio to read the full article and get tips and delicious recipes for your next dinner party.
#top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans #stickytoffeepudding
Our October Mid-Week Lunch menu 🍂
Full of seasonal flavours and delicious dishes to choose from.
Pop-in during your lunch hour or make an afternoon of it!
Two courses - £25
Three courses - £29
Walk-ins welcome, booking advisable.
#midweeklunch #top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans #octobermenu🍂
It’s October which means just one thing here at Dylans at The Kings Arms…. …….Poptober! 🍾
Stay tuned for details of the many Champagne’s and fine English sparkling wines we’ll be celebrating and selling by the glass!
A wonderful opportunity to sample some special and rare drops and learn more about one of our favourite tipples 🥂
#poptober #top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans #champagne
Roberto is developing some amazing Autumn cocktails.
Like our food, what’s on the menu changes with the seasons, so look out for seasonal fruits and smokey spirits 🍸
#enjoystalbans #top50gastropubs #cocktailsofinstagram #seasonalcocktails
Steamed Mussels, Garlic Butter, Shoestring Fries.
Simple, seasonal and delivered fresh from the coast.
Available on our Mid-Week Lunch Menu during September.
Two courses - £25
Three courses - £29
#midweeklunch #enjoystalbans #mussels #moulesfrites
Chargrilled Onglet Steak, Chimichurri, Beef Fat Chips.
Best enjoyed with a glass of Ozzie Catapult Shiraz from Wirra Wirra, this is one of our a la carte dishes on the menu until the end of September.
#ongletsteak #alacarte #top50gastropubs #goodfoodguide #enjoystalbans
King Oyster Wellington, Chesnut, Hazlenut & Truffle Vinaigrette.
There’s no compromise with the Vegetarian option on our Mid-Week Lunch Menu.
Two courses £25
Three courses £28
#vegetarianfood #midweeklunch #top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans