There is nothing that I love more than my dog, food, and gin.
As someone who is overly attached to my dog, wunder-pug Castor Troy, I am on a mission to find the best pubs, drinks and food to experience with him as my drinking partner. You should see the free treats this little asshole rakes in – does that make me his wing-man?
Yes, my partner understands where he stands in the hierarchy. And that is why he (internet, meet Greg) was more than happy/didn’t put up a fight to visit The Court Inn in Durham, with pup in tow.
The Court Inn is a dog-friendly pub which serves up home cooked meals and boasts of their 50+ gin selection. They are owned by the same owners as Tin of Sardines and Old Tom’s – both also in Durham, both also dog-friendly… so wait for more from these soon!
On some days The Court Inn serves some … specialities…
But of course, they also have the classics. For this meal, I went for the steak, ale and vegetable pie. Pies, like dinner pies, aren’t usual dinner fare in Canada. So now that I am living that English life I AM ALL ABOUT THEM. Meat, gravy, carbs with a splash of beer. Get in me.
My dinner arrived, the chips (aka fries for my Canadian friends) were cooked to perfection – I am over chips that have merely touched grease. I want my chips browned and crispy like they just had a lard bath, and these suckers were in for a leisurely soak. And what is that? A pie filled with gravy with essentially a side of gravy? What more could a gal ask for?
Greg likes to educate me about English history, although sometimes while he talks in detail, my brain is rattling through if Vanjie stands a chance on this season of Drag Race. But on this day I was intrigued by what he was saying. Probably because it had to do with food. So my luscious pie that was served before me is at the centre of a heated British debate. Apparently, some Brits say, if it’s just pastry on the top – not a pie it be. While others are like, pastry, filling – it’s a pie bro. And what I say to both sides – just let delicious things be. If it tastes good, pie-or-non-pie I will eat it. And yes, this tasted good. The pastry was flaky, it was packed with pull-apart steak, and the gravy-on gravy was to die for.
Obviously, I paired this meal with a gin. At places that have dozens upon dozens of gin, I often feel overwhelmed. But immediately I found one that caught my eye. A Pink Pepper gin by Audemus garnished with pink peppercorns and strawberries. It was a sight to be seen! I think one of the more expensive gins on the menu, but if you are having it as a treat, the smooth gin with a sweet-heat is one I highly suggest!
One thing I love about England is that 97% of a town’s population is inebriated by 4pm on a Saturday. So if you are going to take in The Court Inn on a weekend, get their early to nab a good table. Especially if you are with your canine pal. The Court Inn is divided into two parts: pub and restaurant. Dogs are not allowed on the restaurant side, which hygiene, I guess. But really the pub part is where it’s at. That’s where hen-dos are popping prosecco at 3pm in the afternoon. And they usually have water bowls floating around for pups as well.
Pair With:
Gin, gin and more gin. You can find the Audemus Pink Pepper Gin here. And, if you’re a bougie bitch who doesn’t only buy gin from Lidl, you can find it at Waitrose.
Great article. Those “chips” look delish. Keep writing. Uncle Stan
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