The Old Guinea a modernised country pub, occupies a building that has served as a public house in the quite village of Ridge since 1826. The pub is a well-maintained building, located on the edge of a country road.
Ridge is located in Hertfordshire, some 20 miles out from London. The church dates from the 14th century. Ridge is surrounded by countryside with numerous public footpaths.
In 2011 the pub was sold and converted into a pub-pizzeria combination — and it works. The pizzas are of a high quality with a proper amount of toppings. The synergy of Italian cuisine and old style English Pubs surprisingly works.
The village is located in pleasant rural countryside, with green fields stretching far into the horizon and looking charming, even in January. The picture below shows the view from Ridge looking into the adjacent village of Shenley.
Inside the pub, it is nicely decorated with good use of wood, to symbolize the country aspect and rural coziness.
The ambiance is important, but the food more so. For this Digital Journal review, three people were in attendance. From the substantial menu of over 25 pizzas, we selected a large sized classic margarita (sometimes spelled ‘margherita’.) This was a fine combination of rich cheese and bold tasting tomatoes. The pizzas are described with great old Italian names, cooked how “your mumma used to make them.”
The second in the party selected a pizza called ‘Dulcis.’ This included goat’s cheese, spinach and caramelized onions.
Whereas Digital Journal’s reporter elected to go for a sumptuous pizza called ‘Varietas.’ This pizza, in addition to mozzarella cheese included pecan nuts, capers, mushrooms, sultanas, and onions.
The food was well cooked; the dough light but still chewy, and the topping very fresh and tasty. The food was served hot and speedily.
Although the pizzas were filling, we opted for desserts. One of the party selected a special called ‘Susan’s Delight’, which was an ice-cream based dish contain chocolate pieces and Bailey’s liqueur.
Another person had a coffee rich tiramisu. It is made from lady’s fingers (sponge cakes) dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, flavored with cocoa.
Whereas Digital Journal’s reporter opted for the banoffee pie.
If you are in Hertfordshire, hungry, and wanting a leisurely lunch or fun dinner, then The Old Guinea makes for a satisfying way to spend a couple of hours.
The price was reasonable: three drinks, three pizzas, salad, three desserts for £50 ($70).
