Josh Searle – Head chef at Dylans Front of House Winner
What got you into cooking? My mum had a big influence on me growing up. She is a great home…
ABOUT
Dylans at The Kings Arms is a Top 100 Gastro Pub 2023 ( jumping 22 places in this year’s list to number 72) that is also featured in the Good Food Guide – housed in a beautiful 15th Tudor Century building on George Street in the Cathedral Quarter of St Albans.
For hundreds of years, it was a pub ‘The Old King’s Arms’ which sadly closed in the late 1990s. In more recent years it was a French restaurant and when the freehold became available in 2014, Dylans at The Kings Arms was created. A local pub and restaurant to rival some of the most exceptional pubs and restaurants in London.
Owner, Sean Hughes and his family run the pub closely with their team, not only to ensure that everyone enjoys their visit but as a key community asset and somewhere for neighbours and visitors to meet.
A neighbourhood gem, Dylans at The Kings Arms is loved locally for its award-winning food, service (winner of Best Front of House Team in the UK – Top50 Gastropubs) and extensive range of craft beer, specialist wines and spirits.
The kitchen is headed up by Josh Searle who has been with Dylans for 6 years and Head Chef for the past 2 years, developing his own style of cooking whilst staying true to the Dylans ethos of simplicity and quality.
Adapting the menu to make the most of the season’s best produce and with a focus on quality produce from small, local, and family suppliers, Josh cooks the kind of food we all love to eat. Specialities include Dairy Cow Rib and fresh Cornish fish cooked to perfection.
With a snacking menu available in the front bar room and an a la carte restaurant in the back, Dylans offers unpretentious but high-quality dining in a casual pub environment.
And who is Dylan? Well, Dylan was Sean’s dog, a naughty chocolate Labrador. Sadly, Dylan passed on in 2019 but his legend lives on!
NEWS
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We’ve climbed 22 places in Top 100 Gastro Pubs List!
For the second year running, we’re proud to announce that Dylans at The Kings Arms has been included in the Estrella Damm Top 100,…
We are Hiring
We’re on the look out for passionate and dynamic people to join our award-winning team. We are an independent company with…
OUR TEAM
JOSH SEARLE
HEAD CHEF
Happy 5-year Dylans anniversary to our brilliant head chef Josh Searle! There’s lots that goes on behind the scenes to create the flavours and textures that make our dishes taste the way they do and leading our kitchen team and our menu development is Josh. Josh has developed his talent in our kitchens after joining us in 2018, exploring his own culinary interests and passions whilst also remaining true to the Dylans ethos of simplicity. We’re so proud of his journey from sous chef to head chef and our recent achievements that he’s been instrumental to (Good Food Guide, Top 50 Gastro Pubs) and look forward to the years ahead!
LEXI
FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER
Lexi’s favourite cocktail is an Espresso Martini (made with decaf coffee - because its key ingredient keeps her awake, but it doesn't wake her up!) Our wonderful and naturally energetic front of house manager has been with us for over 7 years now and ensures that customers have a great experience from moment they walk through the door. A true people person, she loves being part of the community and spending time at the heart of it. Over the years, customers have become friends and colleagues have become family. Hospitable, professional (and exceptionally stylish), we couldn’t be without her!
G
TAPS
Happiest behind the bar - particularly one end of it - chatting to our regulars, G used to work at @madsquirrelstalbans before joining the team at Dylans two and a half years ago. Now in charge of taps and our all important craft beer offering, G is studying the lists to get the freshest beers on to our wall. G is a Gin specialist too, which is lucky as we have over 30 Gins on the bar. Her favourite serve is the Spanish Nordés with a light tonic and a slice of lemon (a true classic). What else can we, say aside from we absolutely love having G as a part of our team.
LATEST ON INSTAGRAM
Friends, we have availability this Thursday - tomorrow - lunchtime and evening due to a technical glitch in our booking system, which has thankfully now been resolved 😮💨
Book now and look forward to starting your weekend early. Our delicious menu and warm hospitality await!
#enjoystalbans #top50gastropubs #dylansatthekingsarms
Book your table for lunch this week. Our excellent value mid-week lunch menu is available Wednesday to Friday ✨
Two courses £25
Three courses £29
Enjoy in your lunch hour or at your leisure. Walk-ins welcome but booking is advisable. To secure your table see link in bio.
#top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans #midweeklunch
Check out this match made in heaven.
Our Scotch ‘Bonnet’ Egg, Habanero Jam which has been on our menu since day one - perfect with a pint of Guinness.
It’s what Saturdays are for!
#guinness #saturdayvibes #top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans #scotchegg
Chicory, Walnut, Raisin & Colston Basset Salad.
Fresh and crunchy but with a tangy kick 👌
#top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans #summersalad
Raspberry Eton Mess Doughnut.
Save some room for this summer pudding, it’s too good of a mess to miss 🥄
#top50gastropubs #sundayservice #etonmess #top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans
Roasted Corn Fed Chicken, Heritage Tomato, Sauce Vierge.
Look out for this on our Specials Board during May. A new sharer perfect for Summer ☀️
#top50gastropubs #roastchicken #specialsboard #enjoystalbans
“Good things come to those who wait” was once a famous advertising slogan for Guinness. Well it’s true!
After 10 months of calls, WhatsApp’s, deliveries from Ireland arriving with incorrect taps and what seemed an endless blockade of the black stuff, we finally have Guinness on the beer wall! 😂😅
G is delighted to have her favourite on tap and is ready to pour so swing by and grab a pint of the good stuff ❤️
#guinness #top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans
Josh, prepping for Sunday service.
We have recently opened up the bar to a limited number of bookings which are suitable for adults only (as they are at the bar or on high seating)
Bookings (for the bar) are available by telephone only and are released 2 weeks before.
We do always keep some space for walk-ins as well so arrive by 12 pm to get a seat 😊
#sundaylunch #top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans
Merinda Tomatoes from Buongiorno Italia direct from Sicily to St Albans. These small, ribbed tomatoes have a firm texture and a wonderful tart taste.
We’re using them on a new starter and snack made with Cantabrian anchovies from the Bay of Biscay which are the finest in the world.
The dish is simple, but it it’s only as good as its ingredients, which is why we work with suppliers that source the best.
Keep your eyes out for it on the menu soon!
#merindatomatoes #top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans #newdishalert
Watercress & Potato Soup, Poached Egg, Garlic Croutons.
If it’s still soup weather, make it ours.
Also available this week on our Mid-Week Lunch menu.
#top50gastropubs #enjoystalbans #midweeklunch #setlunch