Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown-nbsp">THE LOWDOWN&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Interiors-02.jpeg" alt="Pig &amp; Whistle Restaurant Chelmsford " class="wp-image-11200" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Interiors-02.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Interiors-02-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Interiors-02-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Interiors-02-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Strictly speaking, the <a href="https://www.pigandwhistlechelmsford.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pig &amp; Whistle Restaurant</a> isn’t in Chelmsford – it&#8217;s in Chignal Smealey, a village just under five miles away. Dating back to the 16th-century, you can’t help but feel a sense of occasion as you arrive outside its smart grey exterior. Why? It just has that slightly in-the-know vibe before you even set foot through the door.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="752" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/thumbnail_PXL_20230209_215941023.jpg" alt="Inside the Pig &amp; Whistle Restaurant " class="wp-image-11203" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/thumbnail_PXL_20230209_215941023.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/thumbnail_PXL_20230209_215941023-800x602.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/thumbnail_PXL_20230209_215941023-768x578.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/thumbnail_PXL_20230209_215941023-698x525.jpg 698w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Decor-wise, it&#8217;s brilliant, to the point you can&#8217;t help but stare in awe at all the treasures and trinkets. There&#8217;s antique Tiffany lamps, eye-catching art and even a vintage Louis Vuitton drinks trolley. And then there&#8217;s the dozens of candles dotted everywhere – it must take hours to light them! All in all, this restaurant&#8217;s a million miles away from the chain eateries dominating our high streets.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe-nbsp">THE VIBE&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Unknown-2.jpeg" alt="Vibe Pig &amp; Whistle Restaurant" class="wp-image-11206" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Unknown-2.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Unknown-2-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Unknown-2-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Unknown-2-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.pigandwhistlechelmsford.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pig &amp; Whistle Restaurant</a> is owned and run by super-friendly husband and husband team Brendan and Justin. They clearly have an eye for the flamboyant, dressed in suits as opulent as the restaurant when my husband and I visited on a busy Friday night.&nbsp;</p>



<p>What struck me straight away was how sophisticated it all appears. This is a restaurant for adults who love delicious food and a decent wine list (20+ choices on the menu). It&#8217;s not for babies in buggies or toddlers that tantrum – think date night rather than ‘taking the kids out to avoid cooking’ night.&nbsp;If you want to bring kids over 10 you can – just don&#8217;t expect nuggets and fries (or even a children&#8217;s menu) available.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="802" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-14-at-20.03.07.png" alt="The Pig &amp; Whistle restaurant " class="wp-image-11205" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-14-at-20.03.07.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-14-at-20.03.07-800x642.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-14-at-20.03.07-768x616.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-14-at-20.03.07-655x525.png 655w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The second thing I noticed was how romantic it felt, despite being spread over three areas and seating up to 70. Here the vibe&#8217;s distinctly cosy, with just the right amount of light and soft jazz playing on their Sonus speaker (only the best, of course). The attention to detail even comes down to taxi notes on the tables with advice on the best time to book, should you want to enjoy a few drinks with your meal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/05/1-6.jpg" alt="Starter Pig &amp; Whistle Restaurant" class="wp-image-17020" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/05/1-6.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/05/1-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/05/1-6-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Kicking off with a delicious espresso martini, it was time to get down to business: the food. The à la carte menu is full of tempting dishes making it tricky to choose, so I decided to ask whoever took our order to take the matter out of my hands. A decision was made, with me happily agreeing to the Marmite glazed mackerel with creme fraiche, pickled cucumber and gherkin powder; followed by the fennel and chilli stuffed pork belly with gratinated dauphinoise, celeriac apple and mustard remoulade.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/05/2-6.jpg" alt="Starter mackerel  Pig &amp; Whistle Restaurant" class="wp-image-17021" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/05/2-6.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/05/2-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/05/2-6-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It turns out I couldn&#8217;t have been happier with the suggestions. The mackerel was a game-changer – who knew Marmite works so well with fish? – while the pork melted in my mouth, with the chilli offering just the right amount of heat. My husband chose the Chinese spiced duck breast with pomegranate, Asian slaw and roasted pine nuts; moving on to the slow braised lamb shank with red wine, garlic, rosemary and thyme mash plus sticky jus. I was hoping he&#8217;d save a little for me – the shank was a whopper! – but he cleared his plate; something he rarely does unless the food&#8217;s incredible. It doesn&#8217;t say a lot about my cooking – but speak volumes when it comes to the kitchen skills here.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/05/4-4.jpg" alt="Lamb shank Pig &amp; Whistle Restaurant" class="wp-image-17023" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/05/4-4.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/05/4-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/05/4-4-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s plenty for vegetarians on the menu, such as tempura tenderstem broccoli with sesame seed and chilli dip; and stuffed portobello mushroom with sage and onion, nut crumb and tomato and olive sauce. But it was the fish and meat dishes that really sung to me, with pork always on the menu (the clue&#8217;s in the restaurant&#8217;s name).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/05/5-4.jpg" alt="Dessert Pig &amp; Whistle Restaurant" class="wp-image-17024" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/05/5-4.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/05/5-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/05/5-4-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Our desserts were as decadent as the decor, with my chocolate fondant exactly what you want when you&#8217;re in the mood for a rich treat to end the night. My husband doesn&#8217;t do sweet, so chose a trio of cheese with red onion chutney, artisan crackers, celery and grapes. </p>



<p>The menu&#8217;s changed since visiting, and I’m keen to return for their update, with fried duck egg, whole lobster and beef Wellington some of the new offerings. They&#8217;ve monthly tasting menus, too, as well as a legendary Sunday roast – think Great Garnet’s pork with all the trimmings.&nbsp;It&#8217;s also a choice spot in the summer, with a lovely outdoor courtyard to enjoy lunch on sunny days.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-and-about-nbsp">OUT AND ABOUT&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Exteriors2022-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-11208" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Exteriors2022-1.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Exteriors2022-1-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Exteriors2022-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Exteriors2022-1-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Pig &amp; Whistle Restaurant is why you visit Chignal Smealy, just on the outskirts of Chelmsford. If you want to burn off all the calories you’ve just consumed, there are some lovely walks in the area. Or, if you want to head into the city post-lunch or dinner, read our guide on the <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/visit-chelmsford-city-guide-essex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">best things to do in Chelmsford</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muddy-verdict-nbsp">MUDDY VERDICT&nbsp;</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Couples wanting somewhere extra for date night or to celebrate a special occasion. It&#8217;s also ideal for friends catching up without the kids and foodies who love the finer things in life.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> If your idea of a great restaurant is minimalist decor, haughty staff and tiny portions, the Pig &amp; Whistle Restaurant is not for you.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong>&nbsp;À la carte starters range from £9-17; mains from £22-56 (that&#8217;s their 1-1.5lb whole lobster); desserts from £10-13.</p>


Review: Pig & Whistle Restaurant, Chelmsford

You may also like