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
Our summer of sports continues with The Olympic Games in Paris.
Come and watch live events in the bar and support Team GB as they go for Gold in France 🏅
(Sat 27th July - Sun 11th August)
#wheretowatchtheolympics #parisolympics #enjoystalbans #top50gastropubs
Crisp Pork Hash, Apple Mustard, Butter Fried Egg.
Our delicious take on a classic combination of flavours and ingredients.
One of three starters you can enjoy on our Mid-Week Lunch Menu available Wednesday - Friday.
Two courses - £25
Three courses - £29
To book see link in bio.
#top50gastropubs #midweeklunch #enjoystalbans
🌮 Taco Tuesday Take-Over by Boot Cantina is Back!
😋 Join us on August 13 for a lively night of Mexican-inspired food and fun.
🍹Enjoy a Margarita on arrival before choosing from a range of tantalising tacos such as Surf & Turf, Aubergine Parm, Confit Duck Leg - and legendary dishes like The Crab Mac and Jalapeno Pineapple Chicken Wings.
To guarantee your table, book via the website (link in bio) … £10 deposit per person required.
Space is limited and we expect this tasty night to sell out very fast…💨
#tacotuesday #bootcantina #enjoystalbans #top50gastropubs
Fresh Buffalo Burrata, Salsa Mojo, Hazlenuts.
We love this beautiful Burrata from our friends at Boungiorno Italia - you’ll often find it on our menu - but we like to change up the way we serve it; working with its natural taste and texture to reflect the changing seasons.
Available on our mid-week lunch menu.
Two courses - £25
Three courses £29
Walk-ins welcome, booking advisable. See link in bio.
#midweeklunch #top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans
Campari & Soda. Stop by the bar for aperitivo time 🇮🇹
In Italy it’s traditional to enjoy a drink on your way home or way out between 6-8pm, but you can order this refreshing alternative to Aperol whatever time you like!
#camparisoda #aperitivos #top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans
Chalk Stream Trout, Pumpkinseed Pesto, Summer Courgettes.
It’s the quality of the chalk stream water of the world famous Test and Itchen rivers in Hampshire that gives this lovely fish its clean and mild taste.
Served with seasonal courgettes it’s a sensational summer dish on July’s Mid-Week Menu.
#top50gastropubs #chalkstreamtrout #midweekmenu
It’s Rosé O’Clock all month at Dylans!
For the entire month of July, we’re sharing some of our all-time favourite Rosé wines, by the glass, so you can discover your new summer favourite!
#top50gastropubs #rosewine #rosemonth
Normandie Chicken Breast, Romaine Lettuce, Caesar Dressing.
A lighter way to lunch on a sunny day ☀️
One of three main courses on our Mid-Week Lunch Menu available Wednesday to Friday.
Two courses - £25
Three courses - £29
To book your table this week see link in bio.
#top50gastropubs #midweeklunch #normandiechicken
Our Mid Week Lunch Menu for July is full of seasonal flavour.
Enjoy dishes such as Tomato Gazpacho, Nectarine & Almond Salsa, Chalk Stream Trout, Pumpkinseed Pesto, Summer Courgettes and Tonka Bean & Strawberry Pannacotta, Biscotti
All month long there are three dishes per course all at our special mid week lunch prices
✨Two courses - £25
✨Three courses - £29
Walk-ins welcome, booking advisable.
Wimbledon means Strawberries & Cream 🍓
We’ve put a Dylans at The Kings Arms twist on the tradition and created this unbelievably delicious Wimbledon-themed Strawberry Doughnut.
We’re showing all the action during opening hours, so come and enjoy a few sets, and this beauty, until the final on Sunday 14th 🎾
#top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans #wimbledon2024 #strawberriesandcream #strawberrydoughnut