New landlord Hue Hars takes over Sir John Barleycorn pub at Cadnam

SINCE taking over a Cadnam pub, new landlord Hue Hars has made a host of changes – including the introduction of a fusion menu combining British classics and Indian favourites.

Hue (32) became licensee of the Sir John Barleycorn in Southampton Road in May, and as well as jazzing up the menu he has given the pub a revamp and introduced live music nights.

“I want the pub to be at the centre of the community and essentially a really fun place to be,” he said. “I want everyone to feel welcome here.

“We’ve got an end-of-summer barbecue and DJ session coming up on 24th September, where we’ll be cooking fresh fish and meat on our 10ft charcoal barbecue pit.”

He continued: “An Indian fusion menu is not what customers would necessarily expect in a 12th century tavern in the New Forest, but it’s gone down a real treat.

“I’m originally from India, so to be cooking authentic dishes from my home country is really exciting.”

As well as Barleycorn classics like beer-battered fish and chips, seafood linguine and honey and wholegrain mustard-glazed Hampshire ham, the menu features a host of Indian cuisine with a great vegetarian offering including curries made with chickpeas, okra and paneer.

Meat and fish options include Rajasthani lal mass, Malai king prawns, chicken makhani and lamb shank.

Sunday roasts are also available and are proving “extremely popular”.

“Come the autumn I’ll be changing the menu up to include Indo-Chinese – more a Nepalese fusion,” added Hue.

He is soon to install a marquee in the beer garden – given its popularity even as the weather turns chillier and the light evenings draw in – and plans on hosting bonfire nights.

Before moving to Cadnam, Hue ran various restaurants in Southampton, including The Oxford Brasserie and Carnicero Steakhouse.

“One of the main reasons I wanted to run the Sir John Barleycorn is the character of the place,” he said. “I have wanted to take on a pub in the New Forest for a long time now – it’s such a peaceful place.”

For more information about the pub, visit www.sir-john-barleycorn.co.uk

To book a table, call 023 8254 3333.