Delightful, dog-friendly country pub. By editor Kris Thomas
The White Horse is an old coaching inn that has been a pub in the village of Rogate near Midhurst since the 16th Century. Looking out over the village green the interior has a homely feel with exposed stone walls, original wooden beams, flagstone floors and a large log fire, roaring when we visited!
The pub was closed for just over four years prior to being purchased by owner Alex Whyte. It was in a dismal state and it has taken the best part of a year to bring it back to its former glory.
We were seated at a comfortable corner table looking across to the bar area. Being a Saturday evening there was a pleasant buzz of chatting guests enjoying drinks at the bar and other families and couples dining. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Dogs are welcome and ours was given his own fluffy blanket to lie on.
The chef’s homemade focaccia with oil was recommended and was soft and warm. Salt and Pepper squid is always a winner and the White Horse’s was wonderfully ‘piquant’ and served with a zesty lime and coriander mayo. I sampled the gammon and parmesan croquettes which were crispy on the outside with a rich gooey
centre of cheesy shredded gammon and delicate drops of aioli garnish, delicious!
I chose a “special” of Venison Ragu for main course. A generous portion of perfectly cooked tagliatelle with a rich meaty, tomato sauce. My boys opted for ham, egg and chips and Chef’s burger with homemade slaw and skinny fries. Jeff’s beer battered haddock was sat on a pea puree and served with beautifully crisp, fluffy-in-the-middle, chips and came with a tangy homemade tartar sauce.
Other mains include 28-day dry-aged Sirloin Steak and celeriac and quinoa risotto and on Sundays diners can enjoy roasts with Yorkshire pudding, cauliflower cheese, roast potatoes and fresh veg. The pub is especially busy for Sunday lunch we were told, so booking is advisable.
There’s always room for dessert, right? My panna cotta was cool and creamy, delicately flavoured with vanilla and served with fresh strawberries and hunks of melt-in-the-mouth honeycombed white chocolate. We also sampled a delicious fruit crumble served in a fine-china cup!
On warmer days, guests can enjoy the outdoor terrace and family-friendly beer garden, There are also three tastefully decorated en-suite rooms which can be booked via the website with a free cancellation option.
If you’re looking for good food in a charming family and pet-friendly village setting, the White Horse Rogate is definitely worth a visit.
East Street, Rogate, GU31 5EA
01730 830180 or book and view menus online: www.thewhitehorserogate.com
