Queen Bee
CHRIS CONNELLEY is bowled over by a new restaurant on Queens Road
Like the stock market, Queens Road goes up and down.
When we rocked up in town back in 2012, things were still pretty grim, and, in the decade since, there’s been a definite nudge upwards, quality wise, with the arrival of new businesses such as the legendary Brewing Brothers bar, The Imperial, the snazzy hair’n’snacks’n’cocktails hangout Hare and Hound and the arrival of two bookshops, Bookbuster and Printed Matter, now offering LP sales too.
And the good news is that things have further improved in recent weeks following the opening of the intriguingly named Pickled at Walleys, at number 191. This revives the name of a long-established ironmongery business occupying the same building between the two world wars.
Formerly a launderette, the building was sold five years ago, and, after an extended period when it lay empty whilst extensive renovation took place, Pickled opened its doors for a soft launch at the back end of November, with a pleasingly eclectic deli-cum- general store upstairs and, downstairs in the basement, a very light and stylish restaurant serving generous, tasty, competitively priced Greek food.
With no street level view, there was an obvious risk that Pickled might struggle to attract attention in our increasingly vibrant local food economy, but all the evidence suggests large numbers of us are making the trip downtown, and downstairs to Pickled. Most importantly, they are coming back for more.
My original introduction to the business came from a work colleague who knows her food, eats out often, and positively raved about it as an exciting new opening.
This set me scuttling in for a very obliging Saturday brunch with my eldest son. His baked feta in filo pastry drizzled with honey and sesame seeds was excellent, my melitzano, an aubergine, garlic and cheese ensemble, exceeded my high expectations and the complimentary olive tapenade starter and palate cleanser yoghurt added to our sense of a highly affordable pleasure. For those of us who like a drink with their meal, the wine was pleasing too, with a carafe of frisky Australian red checking in at a competitive £9.
I went back with another work colleague a fortnight later, and in the gap between visits, it was evident that the word was out that Pickled is a really rather special find, with all tables taken by twelve thirty on that second trip.
Once again, the team delivered a blinder, handling orders deftly despite the high volume of customers, and creating a mood that is relaxed, informal and very welcoming. There’s a real sense of a home from home and a definite hint of the neighbourhood diner seen in Europe or New York which gets used regularly and becomes part of our everyday lives.
The arrival of a business like Pickled at Walleys is great news for those of us who like a proper lunch and prefer to spend our money in an independent business rather than a chain. It extends the offer in the town centre and is a sure sign that Queens Road is on the up again.
If you haven’t sampled it yet, make it a new year resolution to visit soon.
Pickled at Walleys is at 191 Queens Road, Hastings. For winter opening hours, check the website: walleys.co.uk or Instagram page.
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