MONDAY FOOD POST - THE HAWK AND GRIFFIN PUB IN VIENNA, VIRGINIA

Not my usual Monday Recipe, but if you go to this website, you will find 25 Traditional British ones to enjoy.  I thought it would be nice to stay in the theme for today’s post…   

 

which is a review of a pub/restaurant that we enjoyed very much.  It was our first time visiting and we were here last Wednesday (8-16-23). They know nothing of me, and I don't expect anything from them.  I do, however, like to give these places a shout-out when we have had an enjoyable dining experience.  If I go anywhere that isn't as enjoyable, then I don't write about it as I think every place can have a bad day.  If there is a third visit that we are not happy with, then we don't go back and wish them well.

Fortunately, the Hawk and Griffin was very, very enjoyable.  It is the first time we have gone inside anywhere for a very long time.  We don't go to too many sit-down restaurants unless it is a special occasion, and this felt special. Two days after was our son's birthday, and we were getting together on the 18th, but for now we were celebrating his birthday just the two of us.  On his actual birthday we had a wonderful get-together with our son and daughter-in-law.

A bit too warm to sit outside on this occasion (for us at least), but it's a nice eating area under a large canopy and we have that planned for when the weather gets cooler. We arrived extra early so that it wouldn't be too crowded inside. Having skipped our usual breakfast, we were sitting down by noon and our meal came shortly after.  (By the time we left people were arriving.)

We have been saying we must go here ever since it opened two years' ago.  

My dear other half has been hankering for fish and chips for quite some time, and though we rarely have fried food, it just seemed the time and place.

I found this description at their website:

"Hawk and Griffin brings the character of a traditional British pub experience to Vienna, Virginia.  Our design and decor transport patrons back to the Edwardian era (1900-1918).  Come in and enjoy our uniquely British menu along with our selection of British style beers and spirits while enjoying live music, premier sports viewing or a friendly game of darts.  The message in our entry foyer is our promise.  "There are no strangers here.  Only friends you have not yet met."

We sat in the booth to the right of the Union Jack with Queen Elizabeth's image and the dates she was with us.

They have lots of nostalgia food on the menu, which you can see here, but we had been talking about how nice it would be to have fish and chips the next time we went out, with this place in mind.  I also ordered mushy peas.  (When we were ordering our lunch, we also ordered a Scotch Egg and Bread Pudding to take home and eat later that day.  Our waiter gave it to us as we left.)

We both had Magna Cider on tap which was very refreshing, and the meal was delicious! The best fish and chips we have had in a very long time, and I asked our nice young waiter to let the chef know that fact, and to thank chef for such a delicious meal.

This link directs us to a website that gives a bit of the pub's history.  

I vaguely remember the word 'snug' from long, long ago, going back to childhood perhaps.  Children were not allowed in the pubs you might have already guessed.  

I do remember stopping at a pub in the countryside.  As children we would always sit in the enclosed garden at the tables and chairs provided, usually on a warm, sunny day.  There weren't any other places open on Sunday and that's when we usually went for a ride in the countryside.  Mum was a teetotaler and had her glass of pop but Dad had his pint.  My sister and I probably had pop which was like a carbonated lemonade similar to Sprite or Mountain Dew.  We also enjoyed playing in the garden.

The Hawk and Griffin's explanation of a snug made me smile.

"Hawk and Griffin boasts two 'snugs'.  The traditional pub snug was a small lounge area for patrons who preferred not to be seen in the public bar.  Women, clergy and the local police officer could enjoy a discreet pint of ale or nip of gin.  Snugs also became the meeting space for local matchmaking where marriages would be arranged."  

These photos show one of their 'snugs'.

 

I think I will order the Sticky Toffee Pudding next time, just for a change.  I found a recipe that will show the ingredients and how to make it here.

I want to mention the young man who took our order and brought our food.  We liked him a lot, very friendly, just what is needed in a pub/restaurant.  As it was relatively quiet when we were there, the three of us chatted for a while.  He left a great impression.

Just for fun I looked for some interesting names of pubs in the UK.  I found a page that shared the top ten pubs on Trip Advisor.  You can look at them here, and more information on pub’s names here.  

It also reminded me, and yes here I go again, of old newspapers my father collected, going back to the 1940s and before.  I have them in the basement stored in a box somewhere.  I'm going to have to seriously start tidying that place up as I would dearly love to find this particular newspaper that I think I have shared before.  It was about Sitting Bull sitting on the steps of a pub called The Fighting Cocks in Wolverhampton (a town where my parents were born).  He was touring with Buffalo Bill and he felt compassion for the people he saw passing by whom he felt were very poor.  He sat on the steps and handed out pound notes.  What a wonderful story! I have looked for the tale online, but with no success.  I'm just going to have to search for Dad's old newspaper.  This is going back many years since I last saw it, and after several moves, has been tucked away into oblivion. It's time to clear things out and see if I can find them.  These old newspapers were of special events and one of them was about Lawrence of Arabia.  A lot of history in those old newspapers.  I really need to find them.

A full address of how Sitting Bull met Buffalo Bill:

https://www.history.com/news/the-unlikely-alliance-between-buffalo-bill-and-sitting-bull.  I knew some of their story but not all and I was pleased finding this page.  I will always be grateful for the kindness Sitting Bull showed to the people while sitting on the steps of a place I remember in name only.  I don’t ever remember going there with my parents.  I think it was a city pub.  I also read somewhere that the original place no longer exists, but a new one took its place.   

From British pubs to Sitting Bull and Buffalo Bill?  What on earth?  Well, that’s how I role!  

Back to the Hawk and Griffin, if you ever find yourself traveling through the area, or live not so far away and want a fun experience, I recommend this wonderful pub. Their website is at this link.

One more thing, I am including a YouTube video of British foodies who go around and tell you what they think of the meals they are eating.  They are two young men who are amusing with a little bit of silliness thrown in. It’s enjoyable and interesting.  They are in an old English pub and among other tasty treats, they are eating fish and chips. 

https://youtu.be/ZuMvQytD1h0

Thanks for listening to my rambles.