A NEW restaurant serving pizzas, pies and cider has opened to loud applause from Winchester residents.

The Stable, located in the Square between Farrow and Ball and Woodruffs, celebrated the launch of their ninth restaurant following a super-quick 10 week refurbishment.

Formerly The Bar in the Square – and All Bar One before that – it has been transformed into a large and open modern-industrial canteen, complete with bespoke wooden benches, steel pillars and a large bar.

Around £500,000 has been spent bringing the site up to scratch, which also opens into the first floor – a large gabled structure ironically nicknamed their ‘Cathedral to cider’.

Executive chef Andy Briggs co-founded the business along with his brother and sister-in-law Richard and Nikki Cooper.

Now well-established in Bridport, Bristol and Weymouth amongst other places, it seems the restaurant chain is set to take over the South-West with its simple but wholesome menus.

Hampshire Chronicle:

“We’re creeping closer and closer to London,” Mr Briggs said. “Winchester is such a beautiful city and we knew there was potential here. We saw this old building and we wanted to bring some new life to it.

“We try to go for grade II listed buildings; they are a bit more of a headache but they all have the wow factor. We like to spend money on the things that are important.”

Made with sourdough, he says their English pizzas are a winner, as are their handmade pies – sourced from local ingredients and cheekily rejigged to fit with their location, such as the Woolly Wintonian.

Chalk-board menus adorn the walls with the day’s specials as well as the extensive cider menu, bought on tap, by bottle or box, from £4 per pint.

Orders are made at the bar and drinks taken back to the long wooden benches which are the staple of the Stable.

Mr Briggs added: “It’s a social thing – it’s what people love, and it’s about sharing. It’s such a nice thing when you’re sat next to someone and you can just have a chat and by the end of the night you’re the best of friends.”